VINCENNES, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — July 18 kicks off the Red Skelton Comedy Convention in Vincennes.
Vincennes native Richard “Red” Skelton was a massively popular entertainer who began his career in Vaudeville in the 1930s before becoming a sensation on radio, television and films from the 1940s through the 1970s.
Maureen Gaffney Wolfson, a cast member on the Red Skelton Show, said the comedian meant a lot to the world and he meant a lot to her.
“My relationship with red was very spiritual,” she said. “He was always very kind, and he always gave me a smile of recognition. I worked all of those years and then started painting, and the first painting I did was of Red Skelton.”
Wolfson said coming to Vincennes is a full circle moment for her. She said that she can’t wait to get to know the people of the area.
“Coming to Vincennes is a whole new audience of very humble and Americanized people,” she said. “It is like coming to America’s hometown where everybody celebrates being a community.”
Executive director of the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy Anne Pratt said that having a former member of the show be able to show off her artwork at this festival and in Vincennes is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“To bring comedy here where it was born with Red Skelton when he left here in the 1920s, and to now have someone who knew him come back here and showcase their work is going to be really outstanding,” she said.
Pratt said this connection was something that was always meant to happen.
“It really feels like such a small world,” she said. “I know Red Skelton must be up there smiling thinking about us having this connection with his artwork and her artwork and both of them being on the show together.”
Wolfson said all she wants to do is to share joy through her art.
“He gave back laughter and kindness, and that is what I want to do too,” she said. “I like to give back through my art, laughter and kindness, which I think is important that we all share this today.”
The Red Skelton Comedy Convention will begin on July 18 and run through July 20. A list of all of the events can be found here.
