A celebration of gifts to the Bowlus Fine Arts Center was held Saturday night at the arts center. THE FOUNTAIN on the front lawn of the Bowlus was a gift by the late Emerson E. Lynn, who died April 24, in memory of his late wife, Mickey.
Specifically, a refurbished grand piano owned by the George Bowlus family, and a new fountain outside the front of the Bowlus Center, were recognized.
The 1905 Henry F. Miller grand piano was in the parlor of the Bowlus home, the site of the current arts center.
A bequest from the estate of the late Fern Marsh ignited the initiative to restore the piano. The Friends of the Bowlus, a nonprofit group whose aim is to keep the Bowlus in tiptop shape, added the piano project to its to-do list, in addition to new curtains, a new boiler, and many other smaller projects.
Greg Hulme, a piano rebuilder of Greenwood, Mo., restored the piano over the next 10 months. Its walnut finish is of particular note as are its intricately carved legs.
A recital featuring local artists playing the grand piano illustrated its beautiful sound. Pianists included Trish Brown, Loretta Ellis, Lloyd Houk, Kendall Jay, Jan Knewtson, Glen Singer and Abigail Stephenson.
Both were ardent fans and supporters of the fine arts center.
Dan Foster, a 1983 graduate of Iola High School, designed the four panels of the fountain to compliment the art deco style grill work on the front of the massive building.
Bowlus celebrates gifts
