April Show features works not yet found in typical galleries

 By Mary Lee Pappas / Star correspondent

Posted: April 30, 2010

David Hittle (right) is the host of the April Show. One of the artists, Jerome T. Neal, holds his work, "The Station." - Frank Espich / The Star

"Mother," an oil on plywood by Neal ($80), will be among works at the April Show. - Photo provided by David Hittle

The American foursquare, turn-of-the-century Victorian at 322 N. Arsenal Ave. is home to former social worker David Hittle. But for one night in April, it's transformed into a full-scale art gallery.

Inside, the steep walls become display space for the April Show, a salon-style art show and sale featuring works by artists who have not had access to mainstream galleries despite their talents and abilities -- artists who have overcome incredible odds.

"They've overcome an obstacle of one kind or another," Hittle said of the more than 20 artists participating in this year's show. "From physical disabilities to mental issues to emotional issues and various traumas, and we still have a number who were or are still homeless."

Now in its 13th year, the inaugural April Show in 1997 included three painters Hittle knew: Jerome T. Neal, Berry Connell and the late Harry Blomme. Neal and Connell are both full-time professional artists now.

"I don't know a lot about art myself, but I think it's a part of all of them that they couldn't suppress if they wanted to," Hittle said of Neal and Connell. "I think it's in them and something that wants to come out. They have to do art."

Neal said that in 1997 he was working a humble job and living in a meager apartment while creating his art. He was amazed at the turnout for the first April Show, which he said provides a great incentive to paint.

"I was surprised when it first started how many people showed up," he said about the show that attracts a diverse group of art lovers. "What really got me was that the kids liked my work. That's what it's all about. It's why I don't do so many nudes."

Neal creates colorful acrylic paintings, street scenes and figurative works. He said his business cards say he's a "modern artist," but that he always tries to "do something up-to-date, scientific or something in the news."

In addition to works by Neal and Connell, this year's April Show will showcase art by various other artists, including quilter Dorothy Caldwell, who will have two large pieces for sale. The daughter of sharecroppers from Wyatt, Mo., "(Caldwell) learned (to make quilts) in the Southern tradition of African-American women and from her mom. She's really good," said Hittle.

Throughout the night, patrons at the April Show will get the chance to peruse the art and meet the artists behind the work, which Hittle believes is a form of therapy for them. "That is probably the large drive for why they continue to do it," he said.

It's also an opportunity for them to make money.

"I think you could probably call a lot of them professional because they do sell their art, and in some cases that's all they do to make money," said Hittle. All of the show's profits are given to the artists, who donate 10 percent of what they make, sometimes more, to organizations they've benefited from.

The April Show

» When: 7 p.m. today. » Where: 322 N. Arsenal Ave. » Cost: Free admission. » Info: (317) 974-1163.

The April Show, Jerome Neil, David Hittle, Frank Espich, outsider art, art artist, painters, Indianapolis,  Berry Connell, Harry Blomme, Dorothy Caldwell

"Intangible Spirit" An obituary for artist Harry Blomme published in NUVO August 13, 2003

By Mary Lee Pappas Published in NUVO August 13, 2003 Harry Blomme knows what God looks like. “It’s supposed to be a surprise,” he once told me. Blomme, a local artist, passed away suddenly the weekend of July 12. He was 69. “He lived his life in preparation for this,” Bill Bickel, director of Holy Family Shelter, said. In 1997, Bill became Harry’s caseworker at the Homeless Initiative. A former Southern Indiana farmer, a Flemish Canadian export, Harry was homeless and epileptic. “Health was always a concern,” Bill said. I first met Harry six years ago when he and Bill visited a Massachusetts Avenue gallery where I worked to check out the art. I can’t recall whose art was hanging on the walls, but Harry I remember vividly. He gave me a deftly drawn charcoal portrait of a girl as a token of his visit. This was typical Harry. “It always amazed him when someone would take an interest in him,” Bill recalled. “He was spiritual and approachable. He looked at situations so optimistically and held by his convictions. He was much, much more than a homeless artist. That doesn’t begin to explain who he was. He broke stereotypes and boundaries about homelessness without knowing it. He looked at himself as being one of us and folks treated him that way. That’s what we want. No one should be labeled.” When U.S. Rep. Julia Carson was presented with two of Harry’s paintings, “She was, I think, very humbled,” Bill said. One was of Carson and the other was of Rosa Parks, who Harry had read was an inspiration to Carson. Harry sold some of his paintings at Utrillo’s Art, owned by Greg Brown. “He intelligently approached his work. His method was fascinating and impressive. It’s stuck with me and affected my own work,” Greg said of his friend Harry. Three years ago, just before Harry got settled into his apartment (called “studio-studio”), he lived with David Hittle, of Lutheran Child and Family Services. The annual April Show, an art show inspired by Harry’s talent, started from their close friendship. “Very intangible” is the only way David could explain the impact Harry has had on him. “Harry had a clear and profound effect on people he may have only met once or twice.” Harry’s passing was sudden. “He was doing very, very well,” Bill said. “I saw him the day before and he was having a blast,” Greg recalled. “He’s kind of a gad-about. He was full of life and having fun.” Harry’s funeral was July 19 in his hometown of Rockport, Ind. “It was packed. It seems that the people of Rockport knew Harry as we knew him here. He was known for pulling out his sketchbook,” David said. “The music was awesome. Southern Indiana shoutin’ Pentecostal music. Very bluegrassy. Real good stuff.” “I would put Harry up there as one of the greatest teachers I’ve ever had,” Bill said. David had difficulty putting the effect Harry has had on his life into words. “Gargantuan is the only word to describe it.” A memorial service for Harry will be held at Roberts Park Church on Aug. 14, 6:30 p.m. If you own a piece of Harry’s work, please bring it for a display after the service. For more information on Harry’s art visit www.aprilshow.org. The Web page for an interview with Harry July 3, 2002, can be found at www.nuvo.net/news/archive/002660.html. Harry Blomme, Julia Carson, Bill Bickel, David Hittle, Roberts Park Church, Greg Brown, Utrillo's Art Gallery, Indianapolis, Indiana, The April Show

April Show - April 27, 2001

 This is the program from The April Show, April 27, 2001

David Hittle, Harry Bloome, Zara Stephens, Thomas Curtis, Jeanette Tibbs, William McKenna, Berry Connell, Jerome Neal, The April Show, Painter, artist, Indianapolis, Naive, outsider