Luseland Library displays local art
By Joan Janzen
The Luseland Library is showcasing local artists. Currently on display is the work of local artist Jared Fischer, consisting of six handcrafted costumes. According to librarian Kaitlyn Thrun, Jared isn’t the first artist the library has showcased, and he definitely won’t be the last.
“The library board thought it would be good to use the space in the library for something involving the community,” she explained. Each work of art is displayed for a couple of months at a time, allowing the community ample opportunity to have a look.
Jared’s work at the library consists of six costumes which were used in theatre productions by Luseland’s theatre group, Pothole Productions which was started in 2003. The group produces and stages a live theatre production in the spring. All the beading on these hand crafted costumes was done by hand.
Not only did Jared make the costumes for Pothole Productions, but he volunteered to do set design, directing, writing and acting in the local dinner theatre. In fact he wore the “Jafar” costume in the production “Halloween” in 2019. Local residents Janelle Fischer and Bethany Anderson wore two of Jared’s creations in “The Loathsome Lady” in 2011. In 2016, Susan Wilson wore two of the costumes in “The Paper Passages”, Donna Fowler wore yet another of Jared’s costumes in “The Loathsome Lady” in 2011.
Jared’s handiwork is featured throughout the community of Luseland. The Luseland Cemetery commissioned Jared to create a beautiful war memorial. He also created murals on the local rink, and at the Luseland Museum. The original winter scene included a snow plane, owned by Tom Body and a telephone pole with a snowy owl perched on top. Jared was commissioned to add to the winter scene, while incorporating a taxidermy moose head. As usual he was up to the task, completing the display in two weeks.
As well as painting murals, Jared has done portraits. His portrait of Marilyn Monroe hangs in the former home of Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio in Los Angeles.
Last November, Jared once again helped out the community by participating in the Luseland Homecoming Hall Board’s paint night, where he created a landscape of the sunset by a lake. This multi-talented artist also does maple leaf art, restores antiques, creates sculptures and is a tattoo artist at “Beauty On Point”, his business venture located at 509 Grand Avenue in Luseland.
Costumes displayed in Luseland Library. In order from l-r: “May” worn by Janelle Fischer in “The Incorrigible Four” in 2017. “Queen Guinevere” worn by Donna Fowler in “The Loathsome Lady” in 2011. “Hazel” worn by Bethany Anderson in “The Incorrigible Four”. “Jafar” worn by Jared Fischer in “Halloween” in 2019. “Long John Silver” worn by Susan Wilson in “The Paper Passages” in 2016. And the “Queen of Hearts” worn by Susan Wilson in “The Paper Passages”.
Mural at Luseland Museum
