A retired Bellefontaine City Schools teacher who is actively involved in the community arts scene in the county worked diligently to hone his skills in an art form that his newer to him — pottery — for his entry in the 2020 Not So Bad Art By Good People Contest hosted by the Logan County Art League throughout this month.
City resident Allen Hadley served as a vocal music teacher for the local district for 23 years, teaching at the high school and middle school prior to his retirement in 2010, he said. He also is involved as a choral director at his church and the Logan County Friendly Senior Center and in theatrical arts, has served as a director and actor at a number of Windmill Productions performances at the Holland Theatre.
Visual arts, on the other hand, are something that Hadley said he always has appreciated, but hadn’t tried much himself until the past several years, when he began taking pottery classes with Thelma Matthews at the Cracked Pot Studio at Union Station.
“I’ve always enjoyed and appreciated artwork, but I know that painting and drawing maybe isn’t my niche. I’ll leave that to other folks,” he said with a laugh. “But taking the pottery classes, I’ve really enjoyed myself and it’s been a very fun experience. I wanted to build on that when I was asked to participate in the Not So Bad Art contest.”
Hadley said he received expert guidance from Matthews while designing his piece — a freeform ceramic bowl that he crafted with impressions of leaves on the sides of the bowl.
“I’m quite happy with how it turned out,” he said. “I laid leaves down on the clay and cut around them to make the bowl. Then I picked glaze in colors that I like to finish it off, and Thelma fired it for me.”
Creating freeform ceramic works are enjoyable for Hadley, who said he “is still working to master the potter’s wheel. It’s not easy; I’m amazed at watching people work on the wheel.”
The city resident said he was “really pleased” to be asked to be part of the Logan County Art League fundraiser this year.
“I have friends who are part of the Art League and I’m happy to lend support to the organization. The arts are such an important part of our community.
The public is invited to check out Hadley’s ceramic piece and other pieces created by celebrity artists for the contest, which are on display through Jan. 31 at Craft, Paper, Scissors, 142 W. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine. The business is open from 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Individuals can cast their votes for their favorite pieces for $1 each. There are no restrictions on the number of times a person can vote, Logan County Art League President Karen Feltham said.
A People’s Choice Award and trophy will be presented to the artist who garners the most votes at the upcoming auction of the pieces, slated for 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at the Bellefontaine VFW, 216 Orchard Ave. The public is invited to attend the auction and participate free of charge.
This year’s “Not So Bad Artists” who have been hard at work to create their entries throughout the last several months with their art league mentors also include: Carrie Brown, hair stylist at Indian Lake; Justin Dinovo of Citizens Federal Savings & Loan; Krista Harmon; Jeramy Fitzpatrick of Brewfontaine; Mackenzie Myers of the Logan County Farmers’ Market and Holland Theatre; Pastor Bryan Meadows from the Huntsville United Methodist Church; Vicki Rapp from Mary Rutan Hospital public relations; Dee Dee Rickets, owner of Me & Company; and Ashley Sloan, Huntsville United Methodist Church youth pastor.
Prior to the 7 p.m. auction Jan. 31, doors open at 5 p.m. at the Bellefontaine VFW for final voting and drinks. A catered dinner is served at 6 p.m. for pre-registered guests, who need to make reservations by Jan. 22.
The funds raised both through the Not So Bad Art By Good People auction and the voting will be used by the Logan County Art League to benefit and encourage the growth of the visual arts in the Logan County area.
Sponsors of the event to date are: Mobile Instruments, Mary Rutan Hospital, Ohio Ready Mix, Me & Company and Zimmerman Realty. If you would like to become a sponsor or would like more information on the event, contact Karen Feltham at (937) 468-2874.