Midener Family donates sculpture to JRAC

The Walter Midener Sculpture, The Prophecy,  of hammered Muntz metal which now graces the Jodran River Arts Council’s lawn of the Jordan River Art Center, 301 Main St., East Jordan   has been donated to the Art Council by his family,  Peggy Midener, his wife, daughter Wendy Froud, and husband Brian, and grandson Toby and wife Sarah.  The sculpture will be in place as long as JRAC remains at the present site.  
This sculpture was  included in the project Art in Public Places developed by the Crooked Tree Art Center.

The Mideners, all artist of renown, thought this site a proper place to honor Walter Midener.

Midner Family with sculpture, left to right: Sarah, Toby, Brian, Wendy, Peggy

Walter, a native of Germany, fled the Nazi scourge, served in the US army receiving a silver and bronze star and the purple heart. He was a teacher in New York and eventually endedin Detroit as teacher, director, and president of the Detroit Center for Creative Studies which spanned 33 years.  At the same time he built his reputation as a renowned sculptor  in  wood, clay, cast bronze and sheet metal.    He continued his work after retirement to East Jordan with his wife. Peggy

Peggy born and raised in Detroit Michigan, graduated from college with a major in Art and Theatre.  She  was an instructor in drawing and painting at CCS. and has taught numerous  art classes for all ages  even after retiring to East Jordan in 1979.   Her paintings,drawings, and fantasy boxes have received numerous awards,  has  been exhibited widely throughout Michigan and can  be found in prominent collection throughout the U.S.   

Brian and Wendy Froud, of Dartmoor England are both internationally know artists.  Wendy is a doll, puppet and model maker who sculpted and fabricated the puppets for Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and the Empire Strikes Back. and was the fabricator of Yoda.  She also is an illustrator, writes for magazine  and books, and teaches sculpting and doll making. 
Brian is a painter and film designer and has published many best selling books.  He is the designer of the cult classic film, Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.  He  continues to be a major influence of Faery art and culture throughout the world.

Brian and Wendy’s son, Toby has a degree in technical sculpting for film and theatre.  He currently lives and works in Portland, Oregon with his wife Sarah, and .  He works for Michael Curry Design, teaching sculpting and puppetry  as well as performing.  Toby’s  first brush with stardom was as the Baby in the film Labyrinth when he was a year old. 

Thank you, a most artistic family of Walter Midener,  for  the inspiring sculpture, which is truly a treasurer to be enjoyed  not only by JRAC, but the entire community and  beyond.