Dowagiac history museum to host open house featuring Lewis, Colby works

DOWAGIAC — The Dowagiac Area H istory Museum is gearing up to host its latest open house “Eleanor and Alice: Two Dowagiac Artists” from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21. The exhibit will feature artwork from the museum’s collection and from several Alice Lewis collectors in the area. The exhibit will feature all original artwork and no prints.

Eleanor Colby of the Colby Mill family trained in the arts and eventually took her talents first to New York City and then across the country through her “Chalk Talks,” which were workshops teaching everyday people the basics of art design. According to Museum Director Steve Arseneau, the museum has a unique collection of Colby’s artwork from the Dick Paxson family in the form of letters she sent, with each letter featuring a small drawing.

While Alice Lewis was not born here, she did spend decades in the Dowagiac area creating watercolors and other artwork. Her work has proven collectible regionally and the exhibit will even include some of her commercial work she did for a local business.

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