INB’s Lynne Wooden is a big fan of Abraham Lincoln, so working in downtown Springfield — just blocks away from Abe’s home — makes her happy. When she heard the 2014 addition to the Old Capitol Art Fair’s Civic Collection – a portrait of Lincoln – would soon be hanging in the bank lobby near her office, she literally jumped for joy.
“I think I’ve always been fascinated with Lincoln because we live in the Land of Lincoln,” Lynne says. “I’ve always worked downtown, so it’s hard not to like him.” But Lynne really got caught up in Lincoln when the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum opened. She attended the 2004 library dedication, and became a full-fledged fan.
Called a “Lincoln Nerd” by her colleagues, Lynne isn’t afraid to let her passion get away with her. “There’s so much here we take for granted,” she says. “I love that I can walk near Lincoln’s home and law offices on my lunch hour.” Her home office is even decorated in a Lincoln theme. Needless to say, Lynne is thrilled with having The Civic Art Collection’s “Lincoln” near her office.
Springfield Architect Bill Prather serves as the chair of the collection. Most of the artwork is housed at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, the Office of the Mayor, the Municipal Center, Lincoln Library, Lincoln Land Community College and the Sangamon County Complex. But the Springfield Downtown Old Capitol Air Fair Board buys one piece of art each year, so after 55 years, the association has amassed a large collection, some of which are in storage. Bill is out to change that by installing some of the art pieces in public spaces of private buildings. INB’s Sangamon County branches meet that criteria.
“Abraham Lincoln” by Ken Tiessen of Peoria will be on display at 322 E. Capitol Ave. during regular business hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. In his portraits, Tiessen says his goal is to capture not only a likeness, “but also a measure of their spirit.” He works to have an emotional connection with the viewer.
Tiessen is known for his portraiture and Landscape work. While Central Illinois is a beautiful place, Ken travels to the Rocky Mountains and the West each summer “to paint outside in the Plein Air tradition.”
Lost in Parnell – Downtown Headquarters
Larry Steinbauer’s work “Lost in Parnell” can also be viewed in INB’s main headquarters at 322 E. Capitol. Steinbauer’s farm roots are easily recognized. Of his work, he told the Decatur Herold & Review, “My art is attractive from and distance, and people are drawn to it. It is a feast for the eyes.”
Blue Moon – INB South Sixth
Minneapolis native Daniel Lager’s work is being featured at our South Branch. He says of himself, “I consider myself a conceptual artist.” He paints on the backside of clear acrylic glass. He paints foregrounds first, with backgrounds last.
Our South Branch lobby hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
Untitled – INB West Wabash
It may be untitled, but Richard Hammond’s work definitely stands out. Hammond is well-known in the in the Chicago area. In 1974, the Art Fair bought one of his works.
You can view Hammond’s art at our Wabash Branch, 3150 W. Wabash, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
Branching VII – INB North Dirksen
M. Runnells is from Skokie, and her work developed out of printmaking, the field she studied in college. While at one time she used a variety of mixed media, today she sticks to papermaking, combining both Eastern and Western techniques and fibers. While the works resemble paintings, she does not use paint, only pigmented fibers.
You can see Runnells work at our North Dirksen Branch, 2450 North Dirksen Parkway. Lobby hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.