Will Moses, the great-grandson of Grandma Moses, and a number of local crafters brought art to Malabar Farm State Park on Saturday; and the event continues on Sunday. Art was just one of the attractions. Live music, a Chautauqua portrayal of Mansfield inventor Daniel McFarland Cook, food, and a barn dance completed the attraction.
Moses traveled from his Mt. Nebo, NY studio with his wife Sharon for their first trip to Malabar Farm. The artist brought with him, not only framed original paintings, but prints, illustrated children’s books, puzzles, and notecards for sale. Moses signed purchases and spoke with visitors. He will also show his work and sign purchases on Sunday.
Though he hasn’t been to Malabar before, he has a connection. There are two original Grandma Moses paintings hanging in the Big House at Malabar. They were given to Louis Bromfield as payment and gratitude for the introduction the Pulitzer Prize winner wrote for a book about Moses and her art.
Will Moses said his work reflects rural America in the 1930s to 1940s. “It was an era that built this country,” he said, “American was pretty much the same up until about World War II with horses plowing the fields.”
His grandmother passed away before she could influence his work; but his grandfather, Forrest Moses also painted and encouraged his passion.
In the main barn, members of the Malabar Spinning and Weaving Guild and other fiber and crafters displayed their works. The guild holds workshops every Monday that Guild building at the farm as well as rug hooking every third Thursday at the Visitor’s Center.
The event will continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. House tours and wagon tours are available as well as the opportunity to meet artist Will Moses.
“This is one our new events Malabar Foundation Volunteer Coordinator Victoria Cochran, “In August, two of our new events will be the Farm Fun Day Festival and the play “The Black Cyclone,” which is about Ohio sports legend Charles Follis.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Malabar Farm Foundation. The State Park Department approved $500,000 for exterior work on the house including repainting the big house. The foundation’s funds will support work inside the house.
For more information call 419-892-2784 or 419-892-2929. Also, visit Malabar State Park’s website at http://www.malabarfarm.org and click on events.
Standard House and Wagon tours (12, 2, and 4 p.m.)
Special House tours (10 and 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.)
Fine Art Vendors
Children’s art activities sponsored by “The Little Buckeye Children’s Museum”
Music:
Traditional Folk Blues– Noah Schull– 10-12 p.m.
“RockMoore”– Brian and Jacqueline Moore–guitar and drum– 12 -4 p.m.
Mid Ohio Junior Drill Team — 2 p.m.
Chautauqua Presentation:
Charles & Henry Follis (from the upcoming “Black Cyclone” play) — 1 – 3 p.m.
