| Walt
Ruhoff featured
In anticipation of Central Idaho Art Association’s (CIAA) 50th Spring Show, May 4, 5, and 6, CIAA celebrates Founding Member, Walter Ruhoff. The 50th Show remains at the Bicentennial Historical Museum and will feature the art of founding members. Walter Ruhoff loved community activities and enjoyed being a part of the new Central Idaho Art Association. Mr. Ruhoff’s daughter, Carole Thaxton, said, “There is a painting Dad did of a tiny, run-down cabin on his 40 acres that was used by the previous owners when they cut firewood. Dad liked painting outdoor scenes; of course he was very busy with family and business, so didn't paint as much as he'd liked.” She said he was quite involved in the arts and it enriched his life. Walt was also involved in photography. He enjoyed his friendship with Ladd Arnoti and members of CIAA. When Mr. Ruhoff was in high school he made several model airplanes out of balsa wood and tissue paper that were suspended in his room. He also spent many retirement hours in his workshop creating wooden scroll saw art - and sold many of those pieces. One of his favorites was the "Crown of Thorns" scene. Ms. Thaxton said that her mother had the Crown of Thorns etched onto his tombstone in Cottonwood, as it meant so much to both of them. She added, “He liked art in all its various forms!” He took a painting class at the College of St. Gertrude night school and Carole Thaxton contributed one of his pictures of such class. Mr. Ruhoff appears to be 2nd from right in the 2nd row from the bottom. 
A painting class at the College of St. Gertrude nigh school taken by Walt Ruhoff who we believe is second from right in the second row from the bottom. Photo submitted by Walt’s daughter Carole Thaxton. The people shown will probably bring back memories for many of our readers. We recognize Vince Hattrup and Boots and Ingrid Mader among the attendees. EllaMae Holes featured In anticipation of Central Idaho Art Association’s (CIAA) 50th Spring Show, May 4, 5, and 6, CIAA celebrates founding member, Ellamae Holes. The 50th Show remains at the Bicentennial Historical Museum and will feature the art of Founding Members. Mrs. Holes remains a contributing and active member. During her tenure she has held every office and has been active in many committees. She produced the Newsletter for many years as well as other association activities. She organized the hospital and bank displays to include displays at the First Security Bank/Wells Fargo Bank. She and her husband, Gerry, (a past member and contributor) host the Border Days’ Hole-in-the-Wall Show at their Mini Mall on Main Street, Grangeville. The first Idaho County Landscape award, June 1971, was awarded to Ellamae. Existing records show that she has won the lion’s share of these awards. She has received numerous local and regional art awards, including Best of Show, People’s Choice and many blue ribbons. She took home a ribbon at the 33rd Wallowa Festival of Arts (juried). Her art has been featured in the First Stope Gallery, Butte, Montana; Washington Snake River Showcase (juried) in Clarkston; The Dahmen Barn, Uniontown; Fourth Wall Art Gallery, Lewiston; Salmon River Regional Art Show, Riggins; White Bird Days, White Bird; Hells Canyon Days, Cambridge; Raspberry Festival, Cottonwood; Kamiah BBQ Days Art Show. When asked how long she’s been an artist, she states, “All my life! A memory as a four-year old: My girl cousin and I were drawing trees I realized….’I am an artist’!” Mrs. Holes is convinced that being artistic/creative is an inherited trait. She further notes that “clever, artistic, and successful producers of art were in the families of my mother and father.” Her art medias include oil, watercolor, acrylic, ink and pencil. Favorite subjects are portraits and landscapes. She notes that, “I am an artist at heart. Every unique scene, beautiful or interesting face, or colorful flower inspires me. So many inspirations. So little time!” Andrew Wyeth, Remington, Wood are favorite artists who’ve inspired her; as well as local artist, Gloria Teats, who generously shares her art knowledge and expertise. Art education was limited when Mrs. Holes lived in Vale, Oregon, and Emmett, Idaho. However, her teachers recognized her abilities and often assigned her creative projects. She says, “Our family farm was 20 miles from town. Once my sweet mother enrolled me in an adult art class and drove me there, at night, as I was too young to drive.” Her first real art teacher was Ernie Peck at Boise Junior College. She has also taken advantage of art classes including sculpture and pleineaire painting. Mrs. Holes was the fourth of six children born to loving, hardworking farm parents. She graduated from University of Idaho in 1960 and completed additional post graduate work. She married her husband of 58 years during her college years. Her working career included secretary at Martin Marietta—installed Titan Missile; teacher of Home Economics at Mountain Home Air Force Base, class at LCSC, and six years at Sts. Peter and Paul School; and accountant/sales at her and Jerry’s Ray Holes Saddle Company. The saddle company also involved traveling to ten western trade shows each year. She and Jerry enjoy their family, being grandparents/great grandparents. They’ve enjoyed travelling “the lower 48”, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Columbia—South America, Europe, New Zealand, Iceland. Her activities also include church, Soroptimist, P.E.O., 4-H Leader, bridge club, pinochle club, golf and skiing. She smiles and says, “We have had a very full life including friends, family, big game hunting, fishing, skiing, camping, travel, enjoyable employment, and living our last 50 years in Grangeville, Idaho!” 
Ellamae Holes with one of her paintings. Vickie Cole featured In anticipation of Central Idaho Art Association’s (CIAA) 50th Spring Show, May 4, 5, and 6, CIAA celebrates founding member, Vickie Cole. The 50th Show remains at the Bicentennial Historical Museum and will feature the art of Founding Members. Mrs. Cole remains an active member. Each year she participates in CIAA shows. She served the office of the first Vice President. During the second year of the club, in 1969, she served as President. One of her various goals in the first years of CIAA and while President was to ensure the club had a Gallery. With great member involvement, determination and laughter, the club obtained the Blue Camas Art Gallery, at the generosity of John and Carm Spencer. The Blue Camas Art Gallery’s grand opening was July 3, 1969, at 105 North 2nd Street, Grangeville. Additionally, Vicki Cole was Spring Show judge in 2006. During one of the first CIAA shows, members decided to make and post a sign at the highway to announce the show. Richard Eimers and Vicki’s husband, Wayne, were quite put out to return with white paint on their clothes. The Benedictine nuns at St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Cottonwood launched her desire to be an artist beginning in the fourth grade. She continued her education at Seattle University where she earned her B. A. She took all the art classes she could and was especially inspired by an art teacher, Dr. Demasus. Also of great inspiration was an instructor from Alaska only known as “Happy”. In Arizona, Mrs. Cole took further art classes. As did many CIAA members, Mrs. Cole took classes and inspiration from local artist, Ladd Arnoti. Mrs. Cole taught art from her home studio for over 10 years. Her classes included instruction in drawing, perspective, design, mixing colors and using charcoal. She loves the expressive style, art that makes a statement and is rich in color, design and texture. “I think you relate to people in your art”, she believes. She happily states that she loves “to stay outside the box”. Oil and charcoal are favorite media she uses and her favorite subjects include rocks, trees, and water. Besides creating art, Mrs. Cole enjoys her family. She has four daughters, one was a college exchange student in Florence. She and her husband have also traveled to Barcelona, Spain. There, she was able to visit the Dali Museum. Dali and Picasso are two of her favorite artists. Cole enjoyed other creative ventures in dramatics, music (piano). She was in many school plays and presented many readings. She performed the part of Jo in “Little Women”. She was a tap dancer and a skier. And she fondly remembers being the Lewiston Round-up Princess in her young years. Mrs. Cole dedicated care-giving to family the past years. She is an up-beat, on-the-go person. She loves the people in her life! 
Vickie Cole, one of the founding members of the CIAA, with some of her artwork. |
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