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Robinsons' renovated space to punctuate arts connection
Apostrophe, the 25 W. Franklin St. building renovated by Amy and Tad Robinson, will punctuate its revival with a series of arts program and pop-ups shows beginning this Friday.
The first will be a pottery show by Chuck Todd Wagoner and Sue Wagoner of Wagoner Pottery at the building on the north side of the courthouse square in Greencastle. Their exhibition is scheduled for 5-9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.
"In the true spirit of the pop-up model, the times are basic guidelines," Amy Robinson noted, welcoming everyone to come see what the Wagoners have to offer and "enjoy good conversation and community spirit."
Chuck Wagoner, who grew up in Greencastle and said his first experiences on the potter's wheel were in high school, says he's "proud to be a Putnam potter."
"Chris Brown was my teacher," he added, "and that was when I first became acquainted with the Peelers. We are both very grateful for the influence and support of Richard and Marj Peeler.
"We are also both very grateful to our mothers for encouraging us in art at a very young age," Wagoner added.
He and wife Sue started making pottery together in 1982 as the potters at Billie Creek Village. She studied art at Herron Art School, specializing in painting and drawing, and has won numerous awards for her landscapes and portraits.
He studied at the Ball State, University of Wisconsin, Indiana University and received his master's from Indiana State University.
"We make functional pottery primarily that is microwave, dishwasher and oven safe," noted Wagoner, who has taught art for grades 7-12 at North Vermillion since 1986.
While this Friday the Apostrophe location will host Wagoner Pottery, it marks the first of what the Robinsons envision as a First Friday series of art-related events.
In May they expect to have a group of artists showing who were formerly associated with Studio B in Greencastle.
"It's emerging as a sort of informal 'First Friday.'" Amy said, "and if enough artists are interested in participating, we will continue."
The arts-related use of the building has been developing for some time as the renovation has continued.
"From our perspective," Amy Robinson said Tuesday, "we want people to know the space is here and where it is so people can connect it with more than 'the little building on the corner that's changed so much.'"
And the arts have been the focus for that strategy.
"Things started to come together around using the building for the arts in some way," she noted. "Our first attempt was a 'pop-up' show back in November with the painter Jennifer Herrold. Pop-up shows are relatively simple one-night affairs where artists can show and sell their work without the obligations demanded by traditional galleries.
"Since Jen's show we have had a couple more. Main Street held a photo contest in January, and in February Bloomington-based painter Drew Etienne showed his paintings."
The Apostrophe has also offered classes in stained glass and hosted painted pottery and canvas parties for adults and children in the second-floor studio which Robinson characterizes as "one of the most uniquely beautiful work spaces in Greencastle."
Meanwhile, the Apostrophe building itself has gone from a blue-green metal-sided eyesore to a revitalized historic building, emerging as one of the centerpieces of the Stellar Community Project.
"So many people ask me what we are doing with the building," Amy Robinson said. "My simple answer is 'saving it and seeing what happens next.' Like a lot of people, we never expected the renovations to take as long as they have, but we also never imagined that the quality of the work and dedication of everyone concerned would be so high.
"I have adored our building for years," she added, "and even when it was covered with that terrible blue siding and the windows were all hidden I knew there was a gem underneath."
Having the chance to work with the city to bring the highly visible building back to life "really seemed like an honor" to the Robinsons.
"Not being business people -- I'm an art teacher and I'm married to a blues musician -- we didn't know what to expect in terms of renting it, but we figured it would all fall into place eventually," she said. "But as the months have worn on, we have gotten encouragement to look at things differently, and to imagine ways to utilize the building in spite of its unfinished state and lack of a traditional tenant."
Meanwhile, Robinson noted that several people have been meeting to formalize an arts council to serve the area and she is "hopeful that the synergy between available space and a council will help propel the arts community forward into a visible presence on the square and elsewhere in town."
"So, as long as I can hang on financially with an arts-based model," she added. "I want to see where it will go."
The facility is available on Facebook as Apostrophe Art Space if anyone wants more information about events, to book parties or classes or reserve the gallery.
The Wagoners, meanwhile, sell their wares at the Putnam County Museum, Turkey Run State Park, Neva's on the square in Rockville, the Arts Illiana gallery in Terre Haute and now have their own main pottery production and sales space at the Old Bridgeton Mill.