Piece by Ada W. Shulz bright again thanks to donation
This past year, one of the beloved Aram Public Library paintings, “Child and Red Pullet” by Ada W. Shulz, was restored through a donation from the Blooming Prairie Questers of the Delavan area.
The library displays a collection of works that are representatives of the once well known art colony that flourished in Delavan near the turn of the last century. For a period of fifteen years, from 1895 to 1910, sixty to eighty students came to Delavan each July to continue their studies under the auspices of the Chicago Art Institute and instructor, John Vanderpoel.
“Child and Red Pullet” is an oil painting that was completed in 1905 by Ada W. Shulz who produced works mainly depicting mothers and children. The library owns many works by Ada and her husband Adolph as well as two by their son Walter.
Over the years the painting had become dull with age.
“Now, the restored painting glows – the blue of the child’s clothing, the light hitting the pullet’s tail feathers and the glow of the landscape captivates the viewer,” said Aram Public Library Director Michelle Carter.
“We are so lucky to have the Questers helping renew our artwork,” she added.
The Questers are an international organization located in the United States and Canada. Blooming Prairie is a local chapter started in 2008 with ten members.
The group is comprised of volunteers and donors who work behind the scenes to preserve, restore, repair or replace artifacts and items of historical interest in communities.
For meeting and membership details, please contact Wisconsin State Quester President Deb Wood at 608-575-4387) or Blooming Prairie Chapter President Kathy Hankins at 262-812-7792. The Blooming Prairie Questers are planning on restoring two more paintings.
“Our chapter was so pleased to donate the money to restore ‘Child and Red Pullet,’” Hankins said.
Each year (except this year due to COVID-19) the group sells homemade pie at the September flea market at the county fairgrounds in Elkhorn to raise money for its Preservation and Restoration Fund.
“What a perfect way to spend our money and help Aram Public Library bring art to our community. We received an International Quester Grant this past spring and are in the process of restoring ‘Mother and Child’ also by Ada Shulz,” Hankins said.
Aram Public Library is open and welcomes the community to view the collected artworks. The library’s current hours are: Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The library is closed Thursday and Sunday.
