GREENFIELD — Joyce Benbow went looking for treasure — and found it — deep in the archives of the Riley Old Home Society collection of artifacts. A resulting exhibit, called “The Painter-Poet and a Panorama of Portrayals,” gathers the artwork of 11 artists, all of whom are connected in some way to Hoosier Poet and Greenfield’s favorite son, James Whitcomb Riley, and is on display now at the Riley Museum, 244 W. Main Street.
As a former art teacher in the Mt. Vernon School system, Joyce Benbow, vice president and collections chairperson of the Riley Old Home Society, wanted to focus on the art. As curator of the exhibit, she has created a treasure hunt that winds through the museum from one piece to another.
The historic and artistic trail begins with Riley’s early days, when his writing wasn’t yet bringing in an income, Benbow explains.
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“He realistically understood that his poetry wasn’t going to pay the bills,” Benbow said, so Riley’s father Reuben apprenticed him to John Keefer, a local sign painter.
“He called himself the painter-poet,” Benbow said, pointing out a sign painted by Riley that had been painted over another sign, still visible beneath the second coat of paint. It was a money-saving move, Benbow said.
Riley later accepted an offer to tour with Dr. S.B. McCrillus and his traveling medicine show. The painter-poet designed trademark labels for the medicine, painted ads on the sides of barns, wrote jingles and entertained customers with songs and storytelling.
“Riley was the rock star, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles of his day. He was the headliner,” Benbow said.
Benbow pointed out an etching done of the Riley Boyhood home by artist Richard Black. Black’s connection to Riley is two-fold, Benbow narrates. He had been a neighbor of Riley’s before Black went abroad to study art in Paris.
Benbow’s voice lowered to a whisper. “You’ve heard that Riley was thought to be a drunk?” she asked conspiratorially.
It’s rumored that Riley used to go to Richard Black’s father’s office to sleep it off, she confided.
An oil painting depicting Riley’s “The Old Swimmin’ Hole,” painted by William Bixler hangs in the parlor. Bixler — and his artwork — were instrumental in helping to raise funds for the statue of James Whitcomb Riley, which now stands in front of the Hancock County Courthouse. According to Benbow, school children bought 10-cent buttons of Riley to help pay for the statue; and when every child in the school had given something, the school would receive a copy of the painting.
With help from his family, Bixler painted 5,000 copies of “The Old Swimmin’ Hole,” Benbow said. His family would paint the background, and Bixler would do the details in the foreground.
All-in-all, the exhibit features 23 pieces, and countless anecdotes of Riley, the people who knew him and those who honor his legacy.
The museum, next to the Riley Boyhood Home, offers free admission Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 317-462-8539 or email [email protected].
