James L. Russell (1872–1937), a New Albany, Indiana artist, opened his Art Shop in 1906 and created an influential gathering place for regional artists during a time that preceded World War I and continued into the 1930s. Inspired by a stretch of scenic auto roads from Cincinnati, Ohio to Mount Vernon, Illinois known as the “Wonderland Way,” the artists adopted this name for their Art Club. After
meeting at Russell’s Art Shop, the self-titled Wonderland Way artists would travel to scenic locations in the region and paint "en plein air," a French expression which means “in the open air.”
Grover Page, Jr., a former member of the Wonderland Way Art Club, wrote, “James L. Russell was not only a significant ‘Depression
artist’ of the ‘30s, he was the kindest and most gentle person I ever knew. He was the favorite artist of everyone in New Albany and the surrounding and distant areas. In 1931, at the age of thirteen, I became a regular among local artists and art lovers who frequented Jim’s Art Shop on Market Street. Jim started the Wonderland Way Art Club for any artist in the area who wanted to study and discuss art.”
Kathy Smith, granddaughter of James L. Russell, and her husband, Don Smith, are proud to present these pieces of art to the Paul W. Ogle Cultural and Community Center at Indiana University Southeast as part of a permanent collection of works. Kathy and Don have personally spearheaded efforts to make the James L. Russell Wonderland Way Collection a reality. Through the Smiths’ generosity, this collection preserves the
history and heritage of the art of the region, and
they encourage others to follow their lead. The Wonderland Way Art Club included more the 300 artists. In addition to James L. Russell’s works, some of the Wonderland Way artists you will see represented in the collection include John T. Bauscher, Orville Carroll, William Hancock, Grover Page, and Russell’s son, James J. Russell.
