Paul Crandall receives new Mike Jones award for contributions to local arts

by Diane Rockall

Paul Crandall receives award from Dick Borden. Photo credit Diane Rockall.

Mike Jones (deceased) and Paul Crandall with Molly Howlett. Photo credit Patrice Johnson.

During this year’s Art Show at A Day in the Village, the Stockbridge Area Arts Council announced a new award and Paul Crandall, the recently retired Stockbridge Head librarian, was the named its first recipient. The Mike Jones Award for Contributions to the Artswas created in memory of artist sculptor Michael Jones of Gregory, who died earlier this year. The new award, intended to be granted annually, honors and recognizes individuals in this community who have continued to teach, learn, practice and inform local residents about the arts.

Jones, a professional sculptor with a Masters of Fine Arts degree from Michigan State University, worked from his studio in Gregory. He cared deeply for the people in the local community and readily shared his knowledge and his skills. In addition, Jones encouraged others to make and appreciate art.

Two of Jones sculptures are on display in the community. Available to All greets visitors entering the Stockbridge Library, and his war memorial in front of Unadilla Township Fire Department in Gregory inspires thoughtful reverence.

Crandall’s artistic accomplishments in this community are many: More than 15 years ago, he launched the library’s annual Holiday Open House featuring live music. He started the Market Music program and solicited funds to bring weekly live music downtown to the Open Air Market on Fridays during summer months. Because of Crandall, library shelving was constructed to feature rotating works of local artists, including among others, Mike Jones’s works. Crandall is known for hosting “Live at the Library” original music and held Open Mic opportunities, whereby local musicians showcased their talents. Last fall, he brought to fruition the first ever SongLab featuring local musicians recording their own original songs, and these were then added to the CADL collection for all to access.

In addition, Crandall oversaw the installation of the Jones’s bronze sculpture in front of the library, often featured the Town Hall Players Youth Troupe during the Summer Reading Program. He performed in and helped promote Town Hall Player events. Under Crandall’s leadership and in coordination with the high school, the Friends of the Library has sponsored and judged its “This I Believe” contest twice annually for over five years.

Wife Jo Mayer and Paul Crandall. Photo credit Patrice Johnson