William Jewell lived a quiet, unassuming life. He’s about to change thousands of lives for the better.
Jewell, who died in July 2021, just two months shy of his 100th birthday, left a staggering $12.5 million bequest to the Porter County Community Foundation, the largest gift in that nonprofit’s 27-year history.
Sue and Andy Arnold, of Chesterton, recently purchased “Flowers of Mexico” by Jan Sullivan (1921-2016) from the Art Barn School of Art collection to donate to the Porter County Community Foundation. Sue currently serves on the Art Barn’s board of directors and Andy is a member of the Foundation’s board.
On behalf of the Porter County Community Foundation, Bill Higbie accepts a Jan Sullivan painting donated by Andy & Sue Arnold. (Pictured left to right: Andy Arnold, Sue Arnold, Bill Higbie (Porter County Community Foundation President & CEO), Amy Davis Navardauskas (Art Barn School of Art Executive Director)
“The Community Foundation greatly appreciates the Arnolds’ generosity”, said Bill Higbie, President and CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “It is a privilege to become the home for this painting by Jan Sullivan, founder of the Art Barn School of Art and one of Porter County’s most well-known and prolific artists”, Higbie added.
Porter County Community Foundation has provided much needed funding to help expand art programs with the addition of a ceramic arts studio at Art Barn. Support was also provided to update the lobby and renovate restrooms to be more inviting and ADA compliant. Art Barn was recently awarded a grant to assist in the purchase of a utility tractor for grounds maintenance.
Art Barn director, Amy Davis Navardauskas states, “we are truly grateful for the grant funding the foundation has provided to expand programs and support operations. This investment has enabled us to grow as an organization”, continued Navardauskas.
See more of the permanent collection during “Jan Sullivan’s Nature: Works by the Founder of Art Barn School of Art” which is currently on display at Art Barn School of Art through Saturday September 25, 2021. The reception on Saturday September 18 from 3:00 to 5:00p.m. (during the annual Art Blitz festival) will provide an opportunity for the public to celebrate exhibiting artists and Sullivan’s centennial birthday. Admission to the festival and reception is free and refreshments will be served.
For more information about the exhibition, our collection or works for sale, please visit artbarnschool.org, email info@artbarnschool.org, or call 219-462-9009.
Dr. John and Linnea Forchetti both grew up in Pennsylvania. After graduating from Villanova University, John worked as a lab tech at Methodist Hospital while attending Jefferson Medical School. Linnea was studying to become a nurse at Methodist Hospital when she met John. The two started dating and married in 1961 during John’s last year of medical school.
Dr. Forchetti served as a medical doctor with the US Navy in the 1960s. Upon returning from the Navy, the couple became Hoosiers when they settled in Chesterton. Dr. Forchetti worked for 8 years in family practice before he returned to school to specialize in cardiology. Linnea was a nurse at St. Anthony’s Hospital where she was a member of the first nurse practitioner class in Lake County. Dr. Forchetti was a founder and partner with Northwest Indiana Cardiovascular Physicians. He also established the PACE Program (a running group for patients of open heart surgery) as part of the cardiac rehab program at what would become Porter Regional Hospital.
As an avid runner and a strong advocate for living a healthy lifestyle, he encouraged and inspired others to do the same. He has completed 38 marathons, running his first in 1978 and his last at age 65. Dr. Forchetti was the Chesterton High School football team physician for over 40 years. In 2003, he was inducted into the Indiana High School Football Hall of Fame for his dedication and years of service with the Trojans.
Today, Dr. Forchetti is a Master Gardener, a civil war buff, and he raises bees with his long-time friend, Tom Roberts. Linnea volunteers with Table of Plenty at St. Pat's in Chesterton, a program that she helped start. The Forchetti’s have 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.
Both with a strong passion for the medical field and our community, John & Linnea decided they wanted to do something special for both. Together, they started the Dr. John and Linnea Forchetti Family Nursing Scholarship Fund. This endowed fund will provide financial support to those actively pursuing a nursing degree. What a wonderful legacy of generosity and kindness!
Setting up a named scholarship fund is a great way to show support for youth in Porter County. Your scholarship fund will make a difference in the lives of students, helping them pursue their passion and easing the burden of educational costs. It is also a great way to honor or remember a loved one.
