Museum to exhibit nostalgic paintings of Belleville by Ellis

The Belleville Area Museum will present a display of “Belleville Nostalgia” paintings by local artist Sandra (Arquette) Ellis from Jan. 19 through Feb. 12. Any paintings sold during or because of the display will include a donation to the museum.
Tom Fielder, a member of the Historical Society, was instrumental in arranging this presentation with Museum Director Katie Dallos. At the Belleville High School All-Class Alumni Dinner last fall Fielder told a group from the class of 1963 about a display of Belleville Schools he and others are working on.
Ellis told him she had a painting of Belleville High circa 1960. He said that was the kind of thing they are looking for. He later went to see the painting and viewed the rest of her works showing historical Belleville locations. He then spoke with Dallos and arranged for this display.
The museum hours are Tuesday and Wednesday, 3 to 7 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children. The Belleville Area Museum preserves and promotes the history of the community through the preservation and exhibit of historical artifacts and the presentation of historical programs and events.
Sandra and her husband Walt grew up in Belleville. After they were married they lived in near-by communities until they moved back in 1985.
When her husband retired and his mother passed away in 2011, she found herself with time on her hands. Sandra then decided to do something she had often thought about. She began painting pictures of places in and around Belleville as she remembered them growing up. Her hope is that others will also enjoy looking at them and remembering good times in Belleville.