Betty Beeby Donates Art Work to JRAC

When volunteer docent Pam Gnodtke of Norwood opened up the Jordan River Art Council show last Tuesday, on the Sculptures of Walter Midener and the paintings of Betty Beeby, she was quickly impressed by the size of the exhibit and the many classical yet modern interpretations of human forms and movement.   Over 50 pieces by the two artists will be on display daily from 1-4 p.m. through November 6, 2009 at 301 Main St., East Jordan.  She was also drawn into reading Beeby's latest collaboration, "The Book of Hours", a 2009 publication, in which Beeby illustrated her biography written by Terry Wooten in collaboration with an Elk Rapids school project which are for sale.
 
As the docent looked up to see the first visitor of the day, she recognized none other than Betty Beeby, seemingly stepping out of the pages of her latest book.  She was there to submit her 2010 JRAC membership dues and also requested if she might make a donation of one of her paintings in appreciation for the show.
 
Gnodtke was able to locate John Stevens, a JRAC board member, who accepted  Beeby's watercolor of "Greensky Hill," which she painted in November of 1974.  "I heard guns popping in the distance and was afraid I might be mistaken for a deer, so I began to talk loudly while I continued to paint,"
said Beeby.  
 
Mr. Stevens hung the donation in the entry and thanked Betty Beeby for her kindness and generosity on behalf of the Arts Council.  Several other guests took photos of Mrs. Beebe and had them sign her book.