INDIANAPOLIS — Syndicated political cartoonist Gary Varvel and Judge Julian L. Ridlen will open the “Campaigns and Cartoons” exhibit of original sketches and published political cartoons with a program on caricatures and the unveiling of an original Varvel cartoon of Benjamin Harrison at 3 p.m. Nov. 22 at the President Benjamin Harrison Home, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis.
The event is free and open to the public. Varvel will unveil his 30x40-inch original caricature of the 23rd president and sign a limited edition of numbered 16x20-inch prints of it, which will be available for sale. In addition, a limited number of Varvel’s book, Varvelous, will be available for purchase for $5 each .
Varvel has been popular with readers of the Indianapolis Star since 1994 and was chief artist with the Indianapolis News for 16 years prior to his Star assignment.
Ridlen will provide a historical perspective on the cartoons and caricatures in the exhibit, focusing upon a 50-year span during which the political cartoon came of age, maintaining a unique role in political persuasion. Ridlen is a former Indiana State Treasurer (1979-87) and lawyer. Currently, he is a senior judge. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at IU Kokomo, teaching courses on Indiana history. He has collected political ephemera for more than 50 years.
The “Campaigns & Cartoons; Role of Caricature in Political Persuasion, 1862-1912” exhibit will showcase more than 100 original sketches and published political cartoons from the collection of Ridlen and his wife, Susanne S. Ridlen, Ph.D., chair of the Harrison Home board of directors. The exhibit will be part of tours of the Harrison Home through Dec. 30.
The exhibit will present the evolution of the cartoon art form and the lives of popular artists who produced and popularized symbols such as Uncle Sam, Miss Columbia, the Democrats’ donkey, and the Republicans’ elephant. Some of the artists featured in the exhibit include Thomas Nast, Matthew Morgan, Joseph Keppler, and Bernard Gillam.
In addition, the exhibit will include a wall of framed original Varvel political cartoons. Varvel is an 11-time first-place winner of the Indiana Society of Professional Journalists’ Award for Best Editorial Cartoon. He’s also a 10-time winner of the first-place award for Best Editorial Cartoonist in the Hoosier State Press Association contest. In 2006, he placed second in the national Best of Gannett award for editorial cartoonist. His work is internationally syndicated through Creators Syndicate.
The President Benjamin Harrison Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase public understanding of, appreciation for, and participation in the American system of self-government through the life stories of an American president.
The foundation preserves and maintains the historic 1875 Italianate Victorian home as a museum and memorial, accredited by the American Association of Museums. The three-level landmark home contains many of Harrison’s paintings, furniture, and decorative arts, including unique political memorabilia.
For more information, visit the Harrison Home’s website at www.pbhh.org.
Local News
‘Campaigns & Cartoons’ exhibit opens at Benjamin Harrison Home
- Local News
-
-
Students say good-bye to PHS
PLAINFIELD — The Class of 2012 is the first to spend all four years at the new high school building in Plainfield.
-
Commencement held for BDU students
INDIANAPOLIS — Setting goals and making dreams come true was the theme for the Ben Davis University High School commencement held May 26.
-
SLIDESHOW: BDU commencement ceremony
The Ben Davis University High School graduation ceremony took place May 26.
-
CHS seniors graduate, show a little humor
CLAYTON — The graduating seniors at Cascade High School celebrate commence with light hearts and clear intentions.
-
SLIDESHOW: CHS graudation
The Cascade High School Class of 2012 graduation ceremony was held May 26.
-
500 Festival hosts memorial ceremony
There is nothing more honorable for a man to give his life for his country.
For all of the Hoosiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice and died in the defense of the United States, the 500 Festival hosted its Annual Memorial Service on Monument Circle Friday.
-
Avon council turns down transit request
Greg Ballard, mayor of Indianapolis, recently developed a letter regarding the support of a referendum on transit funding and had asked other local communities to sign the letter.
-
Community gets peek behind the scenes at IMS
For one sunny day, fans of open wheel racing got a peek under the Indy 500 hood, so to speak, as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway put on its annual Community Day.
-
Local family fights back for cure against rare genetic disease
-
County looks to battle water illnesses
The week prior to Memorial Day serves as National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
