Art Appreciation

Angola Mayor Richard Hickman, front right, honors Steuben County native and scultpor Lou Ann (Kjosen) Lanagan with the Mayor's Arts and Humanities Award March 19 in Wells Theater in Taylor Hall on the main campus of Trine University in Angola. In back from left are Trine music director Mark Kays, university president Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., professor Tom Tierney, Ph.D., and university senior vice president Michael Bock.

Humanities group honors sculptor

Angola, Ind. – Angola Mayor Richard “Dick” Hickman presented a Steuben County native with a surprise award Monday morning in Trine University’s Wells Theater.

Hickman gave the annual Mayor’s Arts and Humanities Award to Lou Ann (Kjosen) Lanagan, a Lake James native and sculptor who created a bust of Baron von Steuben – the namesake for Steuben County – for placement in the Steuben County Courtyard. The bust is 3-feet tall and is being cast in Louisville, Ky. Steuben was a Prussian soldier who trained George Washington’s Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

Lanagan was tricked into coming to the university by music director Mark Kays and professor Tom Tierney, Ph.D., who is active on the Steuben County Community Foundation’s arts and humanities committee. A packed room awaited the arrival of Lanagan and her husband, Rolan Kjosen, to greet them with a round of applause. 

After a welcome from Hickman, Tierney showered Lanagan with praise for her commitment to the arts, humanities, history and community. Lanagan has sculpted numerous famous Hoosiers, including Gov. Otis Bowen, pharmaceutical entrepreneur Eli Lilly.

Another sculpting subject, Sen. Richard Lugar, sent written accolades for the event: “Lou Ann Lanagan is a very distinguished Indiana artist, and the strength of her artistry and creativity in our state is substantial and will be enduring.”

Lanagan said Steuben County will always be her home, even though she now resides in Fishers. She spent her first summer at the Potawatomi Inn and lived on Lake James for many years.

“Thank you all for coming. Trine University is absolutely beautiful. This is a wonderful community. I’m so happy that this has happened,” Lanagan said, beaming, as friends, family and other gathered with her at the podium to share gifts and to take photographs.

To share your news, contact Trine University communication specialist Lindsay Winslow Brown at winslowbrownl@trine.edu.