Dubois County Museum to Feature Three Local Artists in October

Bill Whorrall was born in East Chicago, IN and lived in Northern Indiana until he was 18 years old. At that time he joined the Air Force. After service he attended I.U.-Northeast and I.U.-Bloomington earning a Bachelor degree in Art Education, a Masters in Education and a Masters of Fine Art in Printmaking. Mr. Whorrall has over thirty years experience in teaching and has taught at Shoals High School and Holy Family Catholic School in Jasper and is currently teaching at Precious Blood Catholic School and John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Jasper. He has published eight photographic books on Indiana. Four of his books are still in print and will be available at the Museum Gift Shop or by contacting him at 13669 Rama Dye Road, Shoals, IN 47581. He will be showing his original paintings in the exhibit. 

Ann (Beckman) McKinney Nagy, who holds K-12 degrees in both Music and Art Education, is currently a music teacher at Holy Rosary School in Evansville and choir director/accompanist for St. Boniface Parish in Evansville. In addition to these career pursuits, Nagy is also a published poet, freelance organist and freelance artist. Since 2001, she has taught arts related classes at the University of Southern Indiana. In addition to her 25 years of teaching for the Diocese of Evansville, she has also taught for the Sisters of Providence at Jasper and at Marian Heights Academy in Ferdinand. She has served as an organist at churches for over forty years, including St. Joseph Church in Jasper. Nagy is the eldest of thirteen children born to Maurice and Lillian Beckman of St. Anthony, Indiana. She attended Marian Heights Academy in Ferdinand where she earned certificates in both Music and Art. She credits the Sister of St. Benedict and her education at the Academy for giving her the foundation skills for a career in the arts. She also credits Fr. August Busch for teaching her the art of photography and for his ongoing influence on her art work as a mentor. Nagy is a member of numerous organizations, including the American for the Arts Advocacy Group, the International Society of Poets, the National Art Educator’s Association, the National Music Educator’s Association, The Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana, the Tri-State Art Guild, and Phi Lambda Theta. Nagy has won awards in both Art and Music. Nagy was awarded the 2001 Teacher of the Year Award for the Catholic Diocese of Evansville. She has been a candidate for the Outstanding Arts Educator of South Western IN. She recently won second place in the Shutterbug Photography Competition at Audubon Museum for her nature photography. In 2011 she was recognized by the Biltmore Who’s Who as an Honored Member for her commitment to excellence as a model arts educator. This past year she has exhibited art in ten different art exhibits including an Artist of the Month display through the Arts Council of Southwestern IN. Nagy’s art work is expressive with an inclination for abstraction. For this exhibit, she has chosen to pay tribute to the beauty of nature. Her art work in this exhibit will include chalk pastel, painting, mixed media, drawing, graphic design, and photography in various styles ranging from abstract to realistic. 

Father August Busch was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Evansville in 1956. He has served at St. Simon’s parish in Washington, St. Joseph’s, Evansville in 1957, a high school teacher in 1964, St. Martin Parish in Chrisney, Good Shepherd in Evansville, St. Celestine from 1984-1988, St. Bernard in Rockport and retired in 1996. He has a continuing love of photography and will display several photos in the exhibit. 

The Dubois County Museum is a local non-profit organization committed to the collection, preservation and interpretation of historical artifacts and information important to the citizens of the county. Museum operations are funded by annual memberships, donations and gifts from visitors, area residents and businesses. Admission is free, donations are accepted. The DCM staff consists entirely of volunteers. It is located in Jasper at 2704 N Newton Street (US 231). Phone 634- 7733. Museum hours are Tuesday thru Friday from 10:00 am—2:00 pm EDT, Saturday from 10-4pm and Sundays 1:00—4:00. It is closed on Mondays. Please allow two hours to tour the exhibits. Visit the museum web site at www.duboiscountymuseum.org for museum information.