Veteran’s hobby becomes art

At 100 years old, World War II veteran, former general store owner, husband, grandfather and nature lover John Schoolman has seen and accomplished countless things. But being featured in ArtsWeek this year is a first for him.

Schoolman will be one of the artists featured in ArtsWeek 2009. His personal and political expressive canes and walking sticks will be on display at the Mathers Museum of World Cultures, 416 N. Indiana Ave., until March 8.

He began making canes and walking sticks after his wife, Ada, died in 1978, Schoolman said. It occupies his mind and he enjoys it.

Schoolman’s work clearly demonstrates this year’s ArtsWeek theme, “Politics and the Arts,” said Selina Morales, exhibit co-curator and folklore and ethnomusicology graduate student.

Many of his canes and walking sticks are painted with red, white and blue and are inscribed with patriotic songs and motifs. They portray his patriotism, some reading “Remember Iran Hostages” and “Remember 9/11,” and call upon people to not forget national moments.

Morales, along with Traditional Arts Indiana Director Jon Kay, visited Schoolman’s home in North Webster, Ind.

From there, they selected 25 out of the hundreds of canes and walking sticks in Schoolman’s home. The chosen pieces portrayed aspects of his personal life, his respect for the military and his love of the country.

“They aren’t just pretty works of art,” Kay said. “They are performance pieces and communication devices; they challenge people to remember. Even though you aren’t talking, you are engaging in a political conversation.”

Co-curator Zilia Estrada, also a graduate student in folklore and ethnomusicology, and Morales chose 19 of the 25 canes and walking sticks to exhibit.

The pieces have been grouped in categories based on the message they portray, such as memory and commemoration, home and personal life, patriotism and personal and national history.

“His work says so many things,” Morales said. “It’s our job as curators to choose a way to help the audience understand it.”

People who are familiar with his work believe his hometown of Peru, Ind., influences his bright paint color choice, said Gary Miniear, Schoolman’s grandson. Circuses stayed in Peru during the winter, and colorful tents, costumes and wagons were not a rarity.

“I was accustomed to hearing lions, tigers and elephants along with the pigs, horses and chickens,” Schoolman said.

As a child, Schoolman said he walked everywhere and that habit continues today. He walks at least five miles a day and picks up Sumac sticks along the way that he later transforms into expressive walking sticks and canes.

Schoolman will speak about his artistic process, community, creativity and continuity at a reception held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Mathers Museum.  

“To me, if people didn’t come and enjoy them, I’ve lost something,” Schoolman said of the canes and walking sticks. “It makes me proud. I like other people to enjoy it and if they don’t, it’s all right. That’s the way it goes.”