307 N. Main Street, Culver, IN
Gallery Phone: 574-842-8888
Studio Phone: 574-842-4350
info@painterandpoet.com
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Every painting in the gallery is an Esther original. She is often commissioned to paint homes and historical sites. The most popular of such scenes are of the Culver Academies' Chapel, Culver Inn - Culver Academies, an Amish Buggy scene, Sail Boats on the Lake, and "Neath the Gold," which depicts Notre Dame’s Golden Dome. |
 The pretty lady pictured here is Darlene Best, the gallery manager. She is efficient, helpful, and friendly. Darlene works part time year round and keeps the gallery open on weekends during the winter months, while Esther and Ward are in Florida - relaxing and working on new originals for the spring showing. |
Originals, prints and note cards available at the gallery. When you're in the neighborhood, if the OPEN sign is out, stop in and browse or just to say hi.Ward and Esther Miller are living their dream. They opened their own gallery, The Painter & The Poet, where her watercolor paintings/prints and his poetry are shown and available for purchase.
Esther was born in Peninsula, Ohio. She attended the Kansas City Art Institute and moved to Culver in 1952.
Ward was born in Mishawaka. He began writing poetry in Korea in 1951 while in the army.
In South Bend, in 1978, Ward and Esther met, and recently celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary. They enjoy their combined extended family of seven children, twelve grandchildren, and two great grandchildren, and find great fulfillment in their present creative life.
Which comes first, the painting or the poem? - "Generally, I will do a painting and Ward will compose a verse or two to go with it," Esther said. "There have been times, though, when it has been the other way around. He will write a poem that inspires me to paint a picture to illustrate his words." Ward offers custom poetry to clients who wish to have an ode written for a friend or loved one.
In 1989, Ward and Esther began their joint artistic adventure - "The Painter and the Poet," and traveled to participate in many juried art shows - many in Indiana and others in Florida, the Carolinas, Louisiana, and New England. After 7 years of traveling, they started "Painter and Poet Gallery" in Culver and are still happily creating paintings and poetry.
This website contains most of ward and Esther's prints and books, and some of their note cards. A larger variety, including some originals, may be viewed at their Culver Gallery. Items on this website may be ordered by e-mail or phone, 574-842-8888.
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