Darlene Dingman, a volunteer at the depot museum, explained the paintings were left in the depot basement after BRAGG ceased operations in 2010. To honor the work and memory of the Guild and its artists, the paintings have been catalogued and stored in the depot ever since.

Now, with plans to build a series of model train displays in the depot basement, the time has come to find a new home for the art.

BRAAG was formed in December of 1970 by local amateur artists wishing to develop their talents in painting, pottery and fiber arts. When the Illinois Central Railroad announced it planned to demolish its depot in Webster City in May 1971, BRAAG, needing a place to meet, store art materials and hold exhibitions, helped raise $4,000 to move the depot to Wilson Brewer Park. Now, due to a shortage of storage space, the Wilson Brewer Park Foundation is offering what remains of the BRAGG collection, about 50 paintings to the public.

Foundation Board Chair Ryan Rupiper said, “We don’t have an art museum, but want to see these paintings go to a good home.”

He explained the original artist, or members of their immediate family, will have first priority in acquiring the paintings. If there is no interest by these parties, the paintings will be offered to anyone interested in acquiring them.

Rupiper asked that those taking a painting consider a free-will donation to the museum to help with the cost of renovating the basement for future use.

The basement has been used largely as storage for historic artifacts in recent years.

In 2021 a leaky pipe was found to have caused uncontrolled growth of mold in the depot basement, and required a thorough cleaning to make it safe for further use. In the process, many paper records, heavily infested with mold, had to be destroyed.

Last summer, a presentation by Jonathan Parrott, which proposed setting up several displays of model trains in the basement received wide support from the public. Before work on that project can begin, however, electrical wiring must be inspected for safety, and new flooring, ceiling panels and lighting must be installed.

The paintings, nearly all by Hamilton County artists, cover a wide range of subjects, including, landscapes, portraits, wildlife and still life.

Media used in the works include water color, acrylic and oil paint, wood carving, pastels, pen-and-ink drawings, and even needlepoint.

For more information or to schedule a time to view the artwork, please phone Darlene Dingman on 515.832.1619. If there is no answer, please leave a message.