The blacksmith as artist

See ‘L. Brent Kington: Mythical Metalsmith’ at the Illinois State Museum till Sept. 6

L. Brent Kington, professor emeritus at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, is widely regarded as the father of blacksmithing as an art form. The Illinois State Museum is hosting a retrospecti

Stranger in Paradise

The outsider art of Rev. Howard Finster on exhibit in Champaign

The Rev. Howard Finster produced more than 46,000 pieces of art before he died at age 84 in 2001. He was a man possessed, not by demons, but by the need to create art. He was a self-proclaimed “

Alaska visits Springfield in photos and artifacts

The work of Robert Glenn Ketchum at the Illinois State Museum

The eminent nature photographer Robert Glenn Ketchum has been photographing the Alaskan landscape for nearly 40 years and has become one of the most foremost photographers championing the environment.

A portrait of the landscape in barns

Photographer Larry Kanfer is known for his elegant, beautifully composed prairie scenes in Illinois. Many are like portraits of the landscape.The University of Illinois Press has just published Kanfer

Shopping local is more fun

A guide to gifts with a Springfield flavor

It may seem easier to shop online for Christmas gifts, but a growing number prefer shopping in person and buying local. Maybe the rise in shopping at farmer’s markets has folks look

A dramatic move on Seventh Street

Court and Karen Conn head team of rescuers to save the Maisenbacher House

The twelve-member crew of Expert House Movers carefully eased the 19th-century Maisenbacher House into Seventh Street. east of the Springfield Clinic last Saturday morning. Though the wea

Considering the alternative

art seen 3-3-05

It’s not often that two such eminent photographers as Bea Nettles and Fern Logan show their work in Springfield, let alone collaborate for a unique exhibit that celebrates women. Merge

An unlikely canvas

It’s the darnedest thing: Landscape painter Marina Mangubi paints on two-by-four boards. That’s right, lumber. Her curious miniature panoramic scenes of rural Ohi

Just in time for Arbor Day

Arbor Day is Friday, April 30, and the Arbor Day Foundation (www.arborday.org) is offering you a deal. You can join the Foundation and for $10 receive either 10 flowering trees or 10 pine trees