Ennis in Ellis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
LaJuan Schlegel
Photographed By James Hulse, January 11, 2021
1. LaJuan Schlegel Marker
LaJuan Schlegel, a self-taught local artist, credits the greatest artist of all, The Heavenly Father, for her talent. Her paintings bring life to the splendor and majesty of nature and are deliberately created to evoke a sense of connection between heaven and earth. LaJuan was born in East Texas and moved to Ennis in 1963 with her husband, Jim Schlegel.
Known for her endearing smile, LaJuan spent countless hours creating masterpieces in her gallery in downtown Ennis. She tutored many aspiring artists and helped bring their God given talents to life on each and every canvas.
LaJuan's completed "The Old Homeplace" painting in 2010. The painting is the inspiration for the three dimensional cast stone sculpture and expresses LaJuan's love for old barns, branching oak trees and bluebonnets. It was the perfect piece for the park as it features the beautiful sea of blue that canvases Ennis during bluebonnet season.
Janice Hart Melito, a master sculptor, was inspired by the painting and used it to create a hand crafted negative out of clay which was then used to create the magnificent three dimensional cast stone sculpture.
LaJuan's enduring hope and prayer is when people experience the art wall and sculpture, they will feel a sense of peace, tranquility and reminisce about "HOME".
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1963.
Location. 32° 19.672′ N, 96° 37.737′ W. Marker is in Ennis, Texas, in Ellis County. Marker is at the intersection of West Knox Street and North Dallas Street, on the left when traveling west on West Knox Street. The marker is located at the Minnie McDowal Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ennis TX 75119, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Minnie McDowal (a few steps from this marker); Ennis National Bank Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pierce Park (about 500 feet away); Railroads in Ennis (about 500 feet away); Town of Ennis (about 500 feet away); Katie Daffan (about 600 feet away); The Southern Pacific Railroad in Ennis (about 700 feet away); Ennis City Hall (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ennis.
Photographed By James Hulse, January 11, 2021
2. The LaJuan Schlegel Marker is the marker on the right of the two markers.
Photographed By James Hulse, January 11, 2021
3. Closeup of the "The Old Homeplace" artwork by LaJuan Schlegel.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 231 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 17, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
