The recent 11th annual Greening of the Arts Tour served its purpose, as art lovers traveled to five area galleries to see current trends and works from local artists.

“The tour — and our show — will give us the opportunity to observe artwork by local artists who used recycled materials or who focus on nature,” said Michael Boos, executive director of the Association for the Wolf Lake Initiative, which co-sponsored the October event with Calumet College of St. Joseph. “I love to do this. Each time, I hope to bring in individuals that aren't familiar with art and give them a better understanding.”

After gathering at the CCSJ Bernard Gallery, the tour group headed to downtown Whiting. The first stop was at 119th Street Artists' Corner Stone Art Gallery.

Much of the pieces were digital photos on canvas and sculpture on wood.

“My wife Nancy and I collect small pieces of art designed by local artists,” Jack Walter, of Schererville, said while perusing the digital photos on canvas created by artist and photographer Larry Brechner. “This area of Northwest Indiana has a unique combination of dune scapes and industrial landscapes, and since lighting changes from place to place, this makes a unique opportunity for artists.”

The next stop on the tour schedule — Studio 659 — is down the street from Cornerstone, so the group decided to walk there.

The gallery's theme was “Dia De Los Muertas” (Day of the Dead), which focuses on making a shrine to a loved one who has died. On this shrine are placed this person's favorite things: pictures, food, hobbies, etc.

“The local artists that put these together spent quite a bit of time with their displays,” said Whiting resident Margaret Stack, president of the Whiting Arts Council, the organization that runs the gallery. “There's quite of bit of talent right here in Northwest Indiana.”

The next stop was artist Roman Villarreal's workplace on Chicago's East Side, Under the Bridge Gallery. One of those exhibiting in this gallery was Miguel Vasquez, of Whiting.

“I met Roman years ago, and when he saw my work, he suggested I pursue my passion,” Vasquez said as Villarreal placed three of the young artist's human interest paintings in the middle of the gallery to showcase. “I was away from this for about six years, so this is the first time I've exhibited in a while.”

Stops at Paul Henry's Gallery in downtown Hammond, managed by Dave Mueller, and SideCar Gallery, owned by Mike Kaysen, in north Hammond, concluded the art tour.

The tour was a prelude to a Greening of the Arts reception and show in the CCSJ Bernard Gallery, held one week later.

In addition to seven art pieces entered by Roman Villarreal, nine other artists submitted works to the Greening of the Arts show, which continues until Dec. 10 in the Bernard Gallery. Included are works by Marsha Browne, of Chesterton; Tamara Browne, of Chesterton; Betty Delinck, of Hammond; Mary Ann Gradisher, of Hammond; Pat Hansen, of South Holland, Ill.; Jennifer Manne, of Crown Point; Eugene Mitchell, of Park Forest, Ill.; Rebecca Moss, of Oak Lawn, Ill.; Robert “Piro” Ramirez, of Chicago; and Maria Villarreal, of Chicago.

The show also includes an area of student art submitted by Discovery Charter School in Porter and Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting.

AWLI is a bi-state not-for-profit organization and land trust seeking to protect and enhance the Wolf Lake watershed. It serves to keep groups in an informal loop. For more information, call Michael Boos at 219-933-7149 or 312-220-0120.

Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.