By Matt Appleby
Crayons in diagonal arrangement The Crayon. Certainly you ve been familiar with this most basic of artistic tools since childhood. I vividly remember the annual late summer trip, grade specific list in hand, to the drug store for school supplies. It seemed as if Crayola Crayons were thought of as the top of the line. Other brands were available but less desirable, or so we thought. It must have been peer pressure. Most often the teacher recommended the box of 8, your starter set with red, yellow, blue, green, brown, orange, violet and black. Maybe Mom and Dad would splurge for the box of 16 which only slightly broadened our artistic pallets. As we got older the box of 24 gave us yet even more colors, and 48 took us to the next level of creativity. In my youth many of us coveted the box of 64! Not only a wider array of color choices but, a built-in sharpener! Later came boxes of 96, 120 and 152. It took a box of 16 for you to get a white and pink crayon
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Artwork by Herb Williams (left) and Sean Kenney (right)Opening in May, an exhibit at Cheekwood will feature more than 40 sculptures by artist Sean Kenney, whose pop-art-inspired works are made from more than 800,000 LEGO bricks. Local art fans are drawing comparisons between Kenney’s works and those of Nashville-based artist and Rymer Gallery curator Herb Williams, whose similar works utilize Crayola Crayons as their structural elements.
Of the similarities, Williams says this: I am very flattered. I know it’s a pandemic but I am available to create artwork for an exhibit, especially a local museum. At the very least I would’ve appreciated a nod for the homage. … Feels a little like a slap in the face after being asked to donate artwork for their charity Swan Ball.
rgallabrese@heraldstaronline.com
As is the case every year, it is tough to argue about the 2020 inductees into the Toy Hall of Fame.
Located in the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y., the hall has been recognizing toys that have fostered creative play and have stood the test of time since the first class was enshrined in 1998.
That list included 11 all-time favorites, and it set a high standard for the years that have followed. Each is recognized as an all-time favorite that has set a standard for play, education and fun. It’s an eclectic list to be sure, one that includes Barbie, Crayola Crayons, the erector set, Etch-A-Sketch, Frisbee, LEGOs, marbles, Monopoly, Play-Doh, the teddy bear and Tinkertoys.
HEATHER ZIEGLER Life Editor From attics and basements, closets and under beds, here they come. Treasured Christmas ornaments are being placed lovingly on trees everywhere. More than ever this holiday season, area residents are making a special effort to create lasting holiday memories despite the COVID-19 pandemic. And what better way to do that than by bringing out and displaying Christmas ornaments that hold treasured memories. Many of my readers have shared photos and comments regarding their ornaments. Here are some of their thoughts on making Christmas 2020 memorable in a good way. Jerry and Barbara Kulpa said they have many favorite ornaments. “Each year my husband and I get together with our kids and grandkids. We take their individual pictures in front of the tree and then they decorate their ornament and add their picture. Each year is a different style. I enjoy looking at the tree and seeing how they have grown.The kids and grandkids love to find their ornamen