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‘Frank Lloyd Wright’s Stained
Glass & Lightscreens’

[AUG. 7, 2002]  ^"Frank Lloyd Wright’s Stained Glass & Lightscreens." Thomas A. Heinz, Gibbs-Smith Publisher, 2000, 132 pages.

In his book "Frank Lloyd Wright’s Stained Glass & Lightscreens," Wright scholar Thomas Heinz examines one of the most interesting aspects of the famed architect’s career: his work with art glass and lightscreens (defined by Wright as "something that would modify the pattern or view of light in an opening").

Heinz became interested in art glass in his youth; his interest was further piqued when he saw examples of Wright’s windows at the Art Institute of Chicago. His research on Wright’s glasswork began after receiving his degree in architecture from the University of Illinois, Urbana.

In describing Wright’s unique approach Heinz makes distinctions between stained glass (the painting of a material fired onto the surface), art glass (the artistic fashioning of glass in any form) and lightscreens.

The book’s 11 chapters contain the evolution of Frank Lloyd Wright’s innovative accomplishments in art glass and lightscreens.

In "Before Wright" Heinz describes the early development of glass patterns in the United States, the architects who began using colored glass and the emergence of Chicago as the center of the art glass movement.

"Traditional Beginnings" chronicles Wright’s period of learning and experimentation and includes some early examples of his cut wood screens and borders in glass windows.

His interest in the newest technologies is examined in "First Experiments in Materials." It is during this time that Wright perfected the technique of creating glass designs without cames (lead rods that hold the panes together). His association with William Winslow led to Wright’s role as consultant for the Luxfer Prism Company and their new electro-glazing process.

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Several important houses are featured in "First Successes in Pattern." These early success stories represent a prolific period of output during Wright’s career as he became more confident in his use of art glass and lightscreens. The Illinois homes in this chapter illustrate Wright’s growing mastery of this medium and his ability to influence and manipulate light.

The later chapters on "Success in Materials," "Simple and Less Costly Patterns," and "Developments in Abstraction" demonstrate Wright’s continued experimentation with light and glass and represent a body of work ranging from traditional and contemporary patterns and effects to more abstract pieces. Regarding this period of work in Wright’s career Heinz writes that the designs "parallel and in many ways precede similar advances in the field of abstract painting."

Of particular interest are the many examples from the Susan Lawrence Dana House in Springfield. It is during this project, according to Heinz, that Wright came into his own as an architect: "He seemed to be the only artist working in glass and metal who understood the graphic effects possible using the full palette of these materials. While most designers thought of the metal only as a way to hold the glass pieces in position, Wright treated it as an important part of the design."

The remaining chapters in the book discuss Wright’s development of patterned concrete panels for lightscreens, exploring the use of glass tubes and panels, and, nearing the end of his career, returning to an influence from his early days: designing wood lightscreens with cutouts.

"Frank Lloyd Wright’s Stained Glass & Lightscreens" is an outstanding work of scholarship that captures the essence of Wright’s groundbreaking designs. The book’s stunning illustrations and lavish photography showcase Wright’s creative genius and prove that he was years ahead of his contemporaries in understanding the effects of light and shadows and how to manipulate and control them. This book is recommended for anyone interested in art, architecture, interior designing or the remarkable career of Frank Lloyd Wright.

[Richard Sumrall, Lincoln Public Library District]

• Lincoln Community Theatre

• Logan County Arts Association

LCT cast for ‘The King and I’

[JULY 20, 2002]  Lincoln Community Theatre’s final production of the summer season, "The King and I," is fast approaching.

The musical play, set in the royal palace of the King of Siam in the early 1860s, creates a dramatic, richly textured tale of an attractive English widow summoned by the King of Siam to serve as tutor to his many wives and children. Along with a dazzling Rogers and Hammerstein score, the musical weaves a tale of East versus West, incorporating both laughter and tears.

Jennifer MacMurdo, formerly of Lincoln, will direct the Aug, 2-10 production of "The King and I."

The two leading roles feature Rob Siebert of Mount Pulaski and Betsy Buttell of Lincoln as the King of Siam and Mrs. Anna. Other Lincoln cast members include Tom Swanson as Prince Chululonghorn, Ben Herrington-Gilmore as Louis, Jim Newsome as Captain Orton, Jason Steffens as Sir Edward Ramsay and Patrick Perry as Interpreter/Guard.

Elizabeth Eigenbrod of Mason City will appear as Lady Thiang, Greg Runyard of Minier as Lun Tha, Paul Cary of Springfield as The Kralahome, Alison Maske of Mount Pulaski as Tuptim and Tony Crawford of Clinton as Simon of Legree/Guard.

Appearing as the king’s wives are Nanette Turner, Kirsten Knutilla, Nickel Hays, Mary Kay Lohrenz and Tina Mayer. The king’s children include Rachelle Cravens, Rachel Kasa, Rebecca Kasa, Audrey Maske, Brianna Skaggs, Abbey Derstine, John Paul Runyard, Nicholas Cody Runyard, Moses Rogers, Christopher Jones, Taylor Erwin, Annie Sheley, Katy Langdon and Crystal Quint.

Assisting in the production of the musical is Catherine Bailey of Lincoln as technical director. Jerry Dellinger of Lincoln and David Mankey of Clinton will handle the lighting and sound design and direction. Wendy Hurst is serving as stage manager.

Season ticket holders may make their reservations at any time. General admission sales will be available beginning July 27. Ticket prices are $9 for adults and $6 for students through eighth grade. The box office, located in Johnston Center for the Performing Arts on the Lincoln College campus, is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

For further information call (217) 735-2614 or go to the LCT website: http://www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre.

[Judy Rader, LCT publicity chairman]

Movie classics

Logan County Arts Association upcoming films

All upcoming monthly features in the Logan County Arts Association series of classic films will start at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Cinemas, 215 S. Kickapoo.

Thursday, Sept. 12

"Breakfast at Tiffany’s" (1961)

Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Buddy Ebsen, Patricia Neal

Based on Truman Capote’s novel, this is the story of a young jet-setting woman in New York City who meets a young man when he moves into her apartment building.

Thursday, Oct. 10

Horror/sci-fi double feature

"Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1931)

Frederic March, Miriam Hopkins

Based on the story by Robert Louis Stevenson. Dr. Henry Jekyll believes that there are two distinct sides to men: a good and an evil side. He faces horrible consequences when he lets his dark side run wild with a potion that changes him into the animalistic Mr. Hyde.

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"The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951)

Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe

An alien (Klaatu) with his mighty robot (Gort) lands their spacecraft on cold-war Earth just after the end of World War II. He tells the people of Earth that we must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets.

Tickets will be available at Serendipity Stitches, 129 S. Kickapoo; the Lincoln Public Library Annex; at the door; or by calling (217) 732-4298. Ticket prices are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2.50 for children 13 and under. These features are one show only, with limited seating.

[Logan County Arts Association ]

Lincoln Community Theatre’s box office, phone 735-2614,  is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday for the summer season. The office is located in the lobby of the Johnston Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Lincoln College.

Performances of "Dearly Departed" are scheduled for July 12-20, and "The King and I" will be presented Aug. 2-10. Show times are 2 p.m. on Sundays and 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The LCT mailing address is Lincoln Community Theatre, P.O. Box 374, Lincoln, IL  62656; e-mail: lincolncommunitytheatre@yahoo.com.

Visit the LDC website at www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre/index.html. Pictures from past productions are included.

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