Lawrence LaMay of Sturgis and so many other places.
On the lawn of Sturgis Historical Museum ~ at the Depot is a very fitting painting titled “Wagon Ride” by Lawrence LaMay.
It’s part of the Art Around Town display that changes annually. Local artists submit work, a committee selects the pieces, they are imprinted on weather proof metal and installed at key locations. Ours is one of 17 pieces around Sturgis.
I loved the painting and I started asking about the artist. Other than learning from Dan Arney that it was his brother-in-law, no one seemed to know Lawrence LaMay.
Then on Tuesday a lady named Martha stopped in for Laura Lewis Hat Shop tickets. Her husband was with her and they toured the museum.
After a delightful visit Martha popped back in and said, “My husband is the artist of the picture out front.”
I grabbed a camera. I wanted a photo of the artist of the very fitting painting for a historical museum.
“How long have you been an artist?” I asked.
“I have never been,” Lawrence said.
Martha corrected, “He never hasn’t been an artist, but he was never trained.”
For this piece, Lawrence enjoyed the geometric form of the subjects, the nostalgic atmosphere of the horse and wagon and the lifestyle of the Amish community.
The LaMays lived all over the globe in their 60 years of marriage. One summer when they were back in the area they spent time studying the Amish – just one of cultures into which the couple has immersed themselves.
That’s what Lawrence sees, but this painting could be anyone from the past traveling by wagon. It isn’t distinctly Amish.
Martha (Arney) LaMay grew up in Sturgis, went to college and didn’t move back until seven years ago. Lawrence is from Lincoln Park near Detroit.
The couple met at Western Michigan University when they were studying to be teachers.
“There are American schools in every major city in the world,” Martha said.
So they lived in many of those places – some abroad, some at home.
Together they’ve taught in Brazil, Montana, Australia, Yemen, England, Arkansas, Portland, Ore., the Dominican Republic and Argentina.
Their one year in Yemen really stands out to Lawrence. “That is the one county I’m sorry we left,” he said.
Their experience in the ancient, exotic country of Yemen was wonderful decades ago, unlike the current situation, Martha said.
The LaMays retired in the 1990s and for the next 22 years, lived in Costa Rica before settling in Sturgis for the last seven.
“We’re not finished yet,” Lawrence promised.
But as he surveyed the artwork, Lawrence was harsh with himself.
“It’s like a child’s painting,” he said, pointing out flaws that don’t exist.
Others appreciate his work, including Martha. Recently one of her favorites sold at Open Door Gallery,
“I should have put $1,000 on it,” she said. “I’m sorry they are for sale.”
“We’ll make more,” Lawrence assured her.
This season of Art Around Town will be up for only a few more weeks then sold at a silent auction during Winter Wine Down starting at 5:30 p.m. on March 15, in downtown Sturgis.
The silent auction for the 17 pieces will be held at Open Door Gallery. Downtown businesses will host local musicians and food trucks will be on hand. Wings Etc., will be selling “wine to go” for consumption within the Sturgis Social District.
