If These Walls Could Talk - A Portrait of a Vibrant Life

If These Walls Could Talk- A Portrait of a Vibrant Life is an exhibition of the art collection of Susan Brandt and celebration of her devotion to supporting the arts. The exhibition will be on view in the McLean County Arts Center’s Brandt Gallery from July 29 through August 12, 2011.

The McLean County Arts Center is pleased to share with the community this eclectic and exceptional collection of artwork representing many talented artists. The artwork that Susan lived with tells the stories of her travels, her family, her humor, and her sentiment; a unique collection indicative of an extraordinary woman.  

Susan Brandt was born and raised in Bloomington, IL. She graduated from Bloomington High School in 1969, received her B.A. in economics from the University of Colorado in 1973 and her J.D. from the University of Georgia in 1977. Susan was a partner at Livingston, Barger, Brandt, and Schroeder Law Firm in Bloomington. She was a dedicated volunteer to a multitude of community organizations, often offering legal assistance. Susan, like her mother Jean Kuhle Brandt, was an avid art lover and both served for many years as board members at The McLean County Arts Center. Susan Brandt passed away in November of 2010. 

If These Walls Could Talk- A Portrait of a Vibrant Life is generously sponsored by the family and friends of Susan Brandt.

Susan Brandt’s impact at the MCAC during my tenure as director was profound. She served as volunteer, advisor, board member, board secretary, confidant and friend.

Early in my role as director, the Arts Center held an event were Susan spoke remarkably about the MCAC, our mission and her family’s role in building this organization to the success we now enjoy. She speaks about her mother’s dedication, but Susan was no less committed to a community rich in cultural offerings.

Rather than attempt to summarize her speech, we include it unedited, as it serves as a great testament to her wisdom, insight and commitment to the arts in our community.

-Doug Johnson

“My sister Julie, and my brothers Pete and Eric, and I have been asked to address this gathering on our reasons for supporting the McLean County Arts Center. Julie and Eric live out of state so they are unable to be with us tonight.

So Pete and I have solicited their thoughts, which I will try to convey. Actually it has been a
great experience, as we all have a great love ofart in general and of the Center, in particular, and that love is mainly due to our own experiences with our mother, Jean Kuhle Brandt. The Brandt Gallery was named after our mother.

There were many times growing up when we each asked the question...

But is it art? People asked that of the painted corncobs decorating our city a year or two ago.
They asked it of Andy Warhol when he stacked up boxes of Brillo or created a painting of a Campbell’s soup can. Around the turn of the last century, when photography was new, they asked whether photos could legitimately qualify as art.

They asked “But is it art?” of Picasso’s cubism, they even asked it of Monet and Van Gogh—artists whose works now command millions of dollars.

In the 70s, when my mother brought home huge wall hangings of macramé tied to a plow horse’s yoke, I must admit I wondered if that was art. When she unwrapped a hand-made ceramic soup tureen that looked like a mad botanist’s grafting of a cauliflower and asparagus gone terribly wrong, I wondered if that was really “art.” When she bought five long strips of wood covered in acrylics of multitude of colors and announced with glee, “It’s painted music!” I must admit I wondered then, too

Jean Kuhle Brandt was a firm believer in local art and artists.

We all remember accompanying mom to art exhibits, having meetings in our house, mom filling the walls and attics with art by local artists. One story that came to my brother Eric’s mind was the time Mom was in charge of producing a religious arts show for Second Pres. As most of the art in our house was contemporary, abstract paintings by local artists, Mom thought it was important to fill out the exhibit with some local artists and searched for biblical versus that related (however tangentially) to the paintings. When Ann Rust was
viewing the exhibit one Sunday at Second Pres. She blurted out, “Gee, Mrs. Brandt, the walls in
your house must be empty!” Our mother was dedicated to the support of local McLean Co. artists. I think our father, Bill Brandt, continued this legacy when he recently chaired the Airport art committee.

My sister Julie recalls Mom’s dedication to supporting the visual arts and feels that it has had a profound effect on her life. Although she felt she was not artistic, Mother always gave her art supplies for Christmas and encouraged me to use them. It was encouragement to express herself with art and that is what she did from time to time for her own enjoyment. Going to a gallery or art show is an exciting trip because of the passion Mom and Aunt Ruth Ryan gave her for art, both local and international. She love collecting ethnic arts, and primitive art, as well as prints of the masters that speak of history and daily life. It was Mom who taught me, she says, to “look and listen” to art. Julie’s friend, Amy Brown, even said that Mom influenced her decision to become an active member of the Association. She affected so many people with her love of the creative visual arts.

But make no mistake, my mother was a pioneer. I believe that was clear to all who knew her work at McLean County Art Association. One of her happiest times was when she was helping repaint the upstairs room at the old Whithers Public Library, when the Art Association first created a gallery space. It must have been exhausting work- emptying the room, cleaning,
painting, hanging pictures, preparing for an opening. All volunteers giving up time, energy,
and money- all for the sake of celebrating local art and artist.

Thankfully, she was not alone. Thankfully, there have been many, many generous contributors who also felt art was more than important, who understood that art is essential to the life of a community. My mother and so many other folks from around McLean County knew that art is a constantly evolving conversation- one that makes us reflect on our most important ideas and beliefs. It can express emotions or political opinions, it can challenge our understanding of reality or our spiritual beliefs, when it’s good, it can teach us about beauty and a new way to look at the world.

What is art? Look around you. Ask the person next to you what they think art is. Join a discussion that has been going on for centuries.

Locally, it is a discussion that has thankfully been nurtured, sometimes led, and very often
hosted by the McLean County Arts Center. May her enthusiasm for and love of local artists and their work continue to inspire new generations of art lovers, artists, and budding artists. Support your local arts, my mother would say to you. It is an investment whose dividends are
without measure.”

-Susan Brandt