Fundraising a point during First Friday

Despite its stellar status, the McKim Observatory still needs friends at home.

Although it is a global star, continuing upkeep and maintenance are an ongoing issue for the DePauw-owned facility. Indiana Landmarks campaigned to obtain a special state significance ranking from the National Park Service for the structure, specifically in order to make it eligible for certain funding.

Local artist Dennis Boothby, inspired by stories in the Banner Graphic this past spring about the observatory, chose to make it a subject for one of his drawings. Sketched on paper with charcoal and colored pencil, he characterizes the building on a wintry day, with the shades of the stucco sides relating to the landscape and sky surrounding it.

The piece is matted and framed under glass, and measures approximately 9-1/2” x 11”. As a fundraiser, whoever makes the largest donation to the observatory will be awarded this drawing.

The opportunity to make a tax-deductible gift will be offered at the Heritage Preservation Society of Putnam County booth during First Friday from 5-8 p.m. and immediately following at the open house from 8-10 p.m.

Boothby has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. He joined the Air Force immediately after high school, and left Indiana for the first time when he went to basic training in Texas.

Later stationed in Germany, he traveled throughout western Europe and became enamored with the historic buildings and ancient ruins he explored there.

Boothby eventually returned to Texas for another kind of training when he attended college there on the GI Bill. Living back in his home state, he often devotes his artistry to rendering iconic barns and covered bridges in the local landscape.