IRVINGTON — The renowned Hoosier artist, Frederick Polley (1875 – 1957) lived at 327 S. Emerson in Irvington for 25 years, just down the road from William Forsyth. Polley was a member of a group of noted artists known as the Irvington Group. Sixteen influential artists, who also lived in Irvington, made up the group. They included Paul Baus, Simon P. Baus, Carolyn G. Bradley, Alice D. Cook, Robert Craig, Constance Forsyth, William Forsyth, Martha Lee Frost, Helene Hibben, Thomas Hibben, William F. Kaeser, Dorothy Morlan, Robert Selby, Clifton Wheeler, Hilah Wheeler, and Charles Yeager. Works by many of these artists are regularly on display at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center in Irvington, on Indianapolis’ east side.
From May 13th to July 31st the Bona Thompson Memorial Center will host what is believed to be the largest collection of Frederick Polley works ever displayed. Curator Rich Costello has pulled together approximately 200 Polley works that completely fills the first floor of the Bona Thompson Memorial Center. He utilized his own collection as well as works drawn from the Irvington Historical Society, the Indiana State Museum, the Arts Depot in Union City, Arsenal Tech High School/IPS, Fine Estate art gallery, Polley family members (Joan Pike, Barry Pike, Sherry Wood), Colleen and Jim Tulledge, Christina Brooks, and Don & Lisa Flick. This is a true retrospective of a prolific artistic career which spanned more than 50 years and includes paintings, drawings, etchings, woodcuts, and illustrations. Contributions from Carpenter Realtors – East Office, Ruoff Home Mortgage – Mark Willen & Jake Hemrick, Bookmama’s and Black Sheep Gifts made the exhibit possible.
At 2 p.m. on Sat., May 20th Rich Costello will share his knowledge of Polley the artist and discuss the details of the exhibited pieces. Rich has a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, with a minor in Art History. He lives with his wife Maggie in Historic Woodruff Place, Indianapolis.
View this rare and massive collection and learn about one of Indiana’s forgotten artists. at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, 5350 E. University Ave., during open hours Wednesday, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. or by appointment.