Local Artist/Retired Teacher Has Painting of Sweeden Church Featured At State Capitol

"Walking into the past," a painting by Sweeden resident Edd Williams, is currently on display in the KY state capitol.

Darren Doyle, story:
Edd Williams, local artist and retired teacher has been honored by having one of his paintings featured at the state capitol building for the fall exhibition of the Governor Andy Beshear's Team Kentucky Gallery. All art on display features Kentucky art by Kentucky artists.

This painting is of the Sweeden community in Edmonson County where a cabin in the painting was the home of the Erlandson family, who settled Sweeden when they came here from their home country of Sweden.

"This family started the Sweeden Sunday School in the old schoolhouse until the church in the painting was built," read a statement from the Team Kentucky website. "The man, woman, and children in the painting are the artist’s family, whose ancestors were charter members of the church when it was organized in 1897. Today, a church that was built in 1972 has replaced the old one, and the Erandson cabin is gone; however, the community is still home to around 250 people."

Mr. Williams said it is an honor for his painting to be chosen as one of the entries on display in the capitol.

"I love my community and our county and am pleased to have a little of our history displayed for others across the state to see and read about," he added. "I’ve been doing art work for most of my life, but I have focused more on painting in the last 20 years. I have my studio in the old Lane’s Store building in Sweeden which has been in the community for well over 100 years. I love the challenge of painting and hope to complete many more pieces from places around Edmonson County.”
 
Exhibits run in six-month cycles and the first exhibit debuted on July 1, 2021. The current exhibit was put on display on July 1st and will run from now until until December 31​​, 2022. The entire digital gallery can be viewed here.