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ARTISTS OF LIBERTY
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MUSIC SCENE: Musicians jamming is the subject of this painting by Micklas, 83, of Liberty. “I paint what strikes me ... that’s where I get the ideas,” said the artist, who noted he has created some 60 paintings.
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CLOSER LOOK: A close-up angle of a hook is among Kathryn Infante’s artwork, on display in the administration building in Liberty.
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framed work: Kathryn Infante of Liberty displays one of her photographs, the undercarriage of a truck, which has been featured in the display of artwork by residents at the township administration building, 1315 Church Hill-Hubbard Road. She’s in the meeting room at the administration building. The current display shows peonies by Infante and acrylics featuring various subjects by Tim Micklas.
Residents put their creativity on display at township building
By LINDA M. LINONIS
Vindicator Staff Writer
LIBERTY — June Smallwood, township parks and special projects director, describes the display of artwork in the administration building as “quite a conversation piece.”
Artists who live in Liberty are invited to show their works, which are displayed in the lobby and meeting room of the building. The project began about four years ago, she said.
Students from Liberty High School exhibit their works in March.
“We ask that it be appropriate and politically correct,” she said of the displays in general. Each exhibit is shown about six weeks.
“We have a lot of meetings here ... community and nonprofits,” Smallwood said. There’s a lot of public traffic in the administration offices and police department.
The two artists now exhibiting are Kathryn Infante and Tim Micklas.
Infante is showing photographs of peonies, and Micklas has acrylics featuring different subjects including a Chinese junk, clipper ship and street scene.
Infante is focusing on photography, which she’s been interested in since she was 10. “I like the line and design,” she said. “And the depths in dark and light and textures.”
Infante said her college degree is in psychology, which helps her “get through the day because I have kids.” Her photography is a self-taught skill that continues to evolve.
Infante admitted she is fascinated by nature.
“I love milkweed ... when it opens and there are the seeds,” she said. “It’s not contrived ... I like to capture it like it is.”
She described one cool day walking out to her car when a leaf, covered in frost, caught her eye.
But other, ordinary items take on a new and often dramatic look when Infante photographs them, such as the coils on the back of tractor-trailer cab, a turn signal on a car, chains on a salt spreader and the side of a school bus.
Extreme close-ups give a new perspective to these subjects, which look “artsy” but present a challenge to decipher what they are. “It’s really meant to be viewed from a bit of a distance,” she said.
Infante participated in the first juried photograph exhibit May 10-June 5 at Trumbull Art Gallery in Warren and will participate in “Women Artists: A Celebration” planned July 11-26 at the Trumbull branch of the Butler Institute of American Art, 9350 E. Market St., Howland. She also helps hang the annual fine arts show at the Canfield Fair.
Micklas, who has lived in the township 10 years, said he got involved in the art display through township Trustee Jodi Stoyak. “She saw my paintings and encouraged me to exhibit them,” he said.
Micklas, 83, said he began drawing as a child, encouraged by his parents. “When I was a youngster, I could draw well,” he said. “I never took any lessons.”
His parents had him use his artistic talent to cure his amblyopia, also known as lazy eye. His right eye was covered with an eye patch in order to strengthen his weak one, the left. “They had me draw the comics,” Micklas said.
He said newspapers, along with magazines and other sources, continue to provide inspiration. “I paint what strikes me ... that’s where I get the ideas,” he said.
Over the years, Micklas said he has done some 60 paintings, including one of his wife of 57 years, Irene. The painting, which portrays his wife when she was 20, hangs in their home.
Micklas said he paints as an enjoyable hobby. “I love ships, barns and street scenes,” he said.
Previously he worked in oils but has switched to acrylics. “They dry quickly and it’s easier to make changes,” he said.
Micklas said this is the second time he has shown his artwork.
For information on the art display, contact Smallwood at the administration building, (330) 759-1315, Ext. 110.
linonis@vindy.com