Madison
Regional Art Show
Annual
event to
showcase talent in Kentuckiana
Rudolechs
love of art earned him a career
By
Levi King
Staff Writer
(October 2005) Since the Boys and Girls Club gave Larry
Rudolech his first set of oil paints at age 10, art has been a central
part of his life.
|
Photo
by Michella Marino
Larry
Rudolech paints a river scene
during the September Paint Out
at Hanover College.
|
While at Madison Consolidated High School, he studied
under art teacher Lou Knoble. Rudolech, 56, expected to graduate and
enter the workforce, but his teacher thought otherwise. He informed
me that I WAS going to college, said Rudolech.
Knoble guided Rudolech through the application process and helped him
acquire scholarships. Rudolech submitted artwork to a national student
contest, winning in one category and placing in two others. I
started to see that it really was possible, he said.
Art lovers will be able to see Rudolechs artistic talent on display
at the Madison Art Clubs annual Regional Art Show, taking place
during the month of October at the clubs gallery, 301 E. Main
St., Madison. The show will open with a public reception and awards
ceremony from 1-4 p.m. on Oct. 9. The show, which is the clubs
biggest event of the year, will run through Oct. 30.
Rudolech attended IUPUIs John Herron School of Art and Design
in Indianapolis, where he studied commercial art. Following graduation
in 1972, Rudolech first worked for an advertising agency in El Paso,
Texas. He later found advertising work in Indianapolis and then joined
an agency in Louisville. There, Rudolech designed advertising and packaging
for large clients such as Brown-Forman, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Brown
and Williamson.
Fifteen years ago, Rudolech left the agency to work on his own and moved
to Hanover, Ind.
These agencies work the heck out of you, then you leave and they
see how much they need you, he said laughing.
Rudolech continued to do freelance work for his former employer for
a few years. Now he arranges his own jobs with numerous companies, the
largest of which is Porter Paints.
Rudolech still finds time to pursue his own artwork, although he notes
it isnt easy. I keep so busy that I dont get to do
as much painting as I like, but I manage.
For the past five consecutive years, Rudolechs work has been accepted
into the Hoosier Salons Annual Exhibition. The exclusive juried
show is widely considered the best in the state. This year, his painting
of a railroad bridge was named first in the oil category. Rudolech won
a Popular Choice Award for an oil painting in 2002. Two years ago, he
won with a sculpture titled A Political Stance on Moral Issues,
which depicted two identical human figures.
Following the reception and exhibit at the Indiana State Museum, the
Hoosier Salon show tours the state for nearly six months.
Rudolech said he wasnt sure what paintings he planned to exhibit
at this months Regional Art Show in Madison. I might have
to whip a couple up and slap a sign on them Wet Paint,
he joked.
The shows opening will feature a four-person string quartet led
by Danny Wingham. Thanks to the hard work of organizers and generous
donations from sponsors, the show promises to be the biggest yet. Local
Harvest Market is donating cheeses, the Thomas Family Winery is donating
wine and 411 Flowers is donating floral arrangements. Arvin Sango, the
Madison Chautauqua, Woodburn and Kyle, the John Eckert family, Wal-Mart,
the Jefferson County Board of Realtors, the Lumber Mill Antique Mall
and River Valley Financial Bank had pledged financial support.
More than $2,400 in prizes will be awarded. The show will be judged
by Lynn Dunbar, an artist and art director from Louisville. A $500 prize
will be awarded to the Best in Show entry. First ($200), second ($100)
and third ($50) prizes will go to winners in each of five categories:
oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels and mixed media.
A Mayors Award, chosen by Madison Mayor Al Huntington will also
be awarded $100. Additionally, Cheap Joes Art Supplies of North
Carolina is sponsoring a Peoples Choice Award. Visitors can vote
for their favorite piece. Votes will be tallied when the show closes
Oct. 30, and the winner will receive a $35 gift certificate with a painters
apron and tote.
While the Madison Art Club has held a show for many years, this is only
the sixth year for the event in its current, expanded configuration.
Locals Marguerite Ligon and Lee Featherstone are chairing this years
show.
Last year, there were 39 works entered, but this year the club has registered
61 artists and 108 pieces. The show is uncommon because it is not juried
and is open to all regional artists, not only members. Artists are limited
to two entries.
We are striving for a much bigger show this year because we want
to make this area a big arts center, said Ligon. Madison
is culturally underserved, and wed like to fill that gap.
Rudolech noted that the Madison Art Club is intended to help artists
by providing commission-free gallery space. It really has gotten
quite a buzz in the art community around Indiana, said Rudolech.
He explained that the shows egalitarian, open policy is a novel
way to generate interest among area artists. The popularity of the event
could lead to future complications, but Rudolech is optimistic that
organizers will manage.
We are probably going to have some growing pains next year, handling
this many paintings. But if this art show continues this way, its
going to be one of the biggest in the state, he said.
The Madison Art Gallery will hold an opening reception from
1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at the Madison Art Gallery, 301 E. Main St.,
Madison. For more information about the Regional Art Show, call (812)
265-3135, ext. 251.
Back to October 2005
Articles.