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Art event to highlight local history

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Greene County News

YELLOW SPRINGS — The Yellow Springs Arts Council, Yellow Springs Historical Society and Antioch University Midwest are teaming up to present an evening of art and history, highlighting Wheeling Gaunt and the village during the Civil War Era.

“Beyond Flour and Sugar” is slated to take place 6-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 at Antioch University Midwest, 900 Dayton St.

Starting life as a slave in Kentucky, Gaunt watched as his mother was sold off and never saw her again at 4 years old. Gaunt was allowed to work outside the plantation to earn a little money, and through hard work, frugality and tenacity, managed to save $900 in which he purchased his freedom. Later, he was able to buy his wife and a young man named Nick. In the middle of the 1860s, he moved his family to Yellow Springs. Once there, he quietly became the most influential and respected Black Philanthropist in Ohio, according to the YSAC.

The event will kick-off with “Heartstrings”, civil war music, from 6-7 p.m. in the AUM Gallery – New Work from the Permanent Collection.

Attendees are also invited to take self-guided tours of the Permanent Collection, representing the artistic heritage of Yellow Springs with 173 pieces of art such as photos, oil, acrylic and water color paintings, textiles, pottery, jewellery, books, pastels, wood, mixed media, paper mache, sculptures and collages as well as digital archives of music, interviews, stories and cultural events.

Featured artists in the Permanent Collection include Robin Zimmerman, Catherine Lehman, Karen Shirley, Parviz Dadras, John Ford, Katherine Kaddish, Holly Underwood, Roger Smith, Tom Verdon, Libby Rudolf and Mary J. Cargen. The majority of the Permanent Collection can normally be viewed during AUM’s General operating hours 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays.

By 6:15 p.m., event officials are expected to present “Unveiling of Bust Wheeling Gaunt” — new work for the Permanent Collection — and allowing attendees to ask Scupltor Brian Maughan questions.

Historical Talks will start at 7:30, inviting Dave Neuhardt to discuss “Yellow Springs in the Civil War Era” followed by Steven Deal, who will present “Wheeling Gaunt”.

According to the YSAC, locals have a dream of incorporating a full size bronze statue of Wheeling Gaunt at an entrance to Yellow Springs and the Jan. 20 event aims to mark the beginning of the Gaunt bronze adventure.

“We need 10 people to become the steering committee and see the project to fruition,” a press release about the event said. “If you are interested or want more information, please contact [email protected] or sign the list on [Jan.] 20.”

Greene County News Report compiled by Whitney Vickers. Information courtesy of the Yellow Springs Arts Council.