by Brandi
Lorraine Hayes and Sher Hiner are exhibiting at Barnes and Noble during the month of July. Kenna Gallegos, Mary Ellen Wehrli and Bruce Schiefelbeinare scheduled to be there during the month of August. We are exploring the possibility of doing demonstrations there to draw attention to the art exhibit and to the activities and location of the Visual Art League. More to come regarding this endeavor.
by Brandi
Mary Conn Baker became well-known in the Houston area while living in Spring in the 80’s. Noted for her water colors of antique teddy bears and toys, she operated a successful business as Mary Conn Baker Originals. In 1982, she had a trunk showing in the children’s departments of the Foley’s Houston area stores of her water colors and costumed bears.
During a trip to Europe, she visited numerous bear factories and sketched and painted representative examples of each. At the renowned German toy maker Steiff factory, she presented Hans Otto Steiff with water colors for his personal collection. Other of her works are with Joan Fontain and Eudora Welty.
Her husband’s job transfer took her to Jakarta, Indonesia, for 1989-1992. Included in a wealth of painting experiences was the teaching of art to a number of local and ex-pat children. Mary designed, printed, and sold numerous greeting cards for charity in Jakarta; an activity greatly appreciated by the local government.
She has continued with private lessons taught in water colors, acrylics, and pencil.
Her special joy has been making one-of-a-kind greeting cards. For the past 31 years her friends have looked forward to receiving their unique Christmas greeting.
by Brandi
I hope everyone had a great 4th of July. I hear of lots of great vacations going on too. Summer is a relaxing time with things moving a little slower. But, fall will be here before we know it and some important and encouraging opportunities await.
You may have noticed the cabinet in the main gallery. That is our new sink for classes and workshops. It is not plumbed as yet, but that comes shortly. John Ramirez made the sink as well as some small easels and convertible “table-to-easels” for VAL. These are his own designs and took time and talent of which we are very appreciative of his giving them to us. If you are interested in starting classes at the art center or know of individuals seeking classes, contact Misty Foster at moliveerfoster@yahoo.com or 214-384-7200.
Looking forward to fall, we have Western Days coming in September, and I hope everyone will participate. (See the separate article about Western Days.) Also in September we will have a new slate of officers coming forth. In November and December, the gallery will be full of members’ work. An idea has been brought forward that we use those months to have a holiday sale (like our past summer show and sale) and include our unframed paintings and other artistic endeavors such as jewelry, cards, wood boxes and tables, fabric creations…all those other creative activities we like to work on. Let me know your interest in either of these projects.
The Board has not yet reviewed the survey we did, but should be publishing the results real soon. A motion was brought forward at the June 8 Board Meeting that Board members be allowed to show in our exhibits without being required to staff the show. The motion passed after some discussion. Members of the Board are very supportive of our exhibits and this is not to say that Board members will never staff our shows, but only that the requirement has been waived.
I look forward to seeing you at our meeting August 3
Elaine Nienkamp
by Brandi
I hope everyone had a great 4th of July. I hear of lots of great vacations going on too. Summer is a relaxing time with things moving a little slower. But, fall will be here before we know it and some important and encouraging opportunities await.
You may have noticed the cabinet in the main gallery. That is our new sink for classes and workshops. It is not plumbed as yet, but that comes shortly. John Ramirez made the sink as well as some small easels and convertible “table-to-easels” for VAL. These are his own designs and took time and talent of which we are very appreciative of his giving them to us. If you are interested in starting classes at the art center or know of individuals seeking classes, contact Misty Foster at moliveerfoster@yahoo.com or 214-384-7200.
Looking forward to fall, we have Western Days coming in September, and I hope everyone will participate. (See the separate article about Western Days.) Also in September we will have a new slate of officers coming forth. In November and December, the gallery will be full of members’ work. An idea has been brought forward that we use those months to have a holiday sale (like our past summer show and sale) and include our unframed paintings and other artistic endeavors such as jewelry, cards, wood boxes and tables, fabric creations…all those other creative activities we like to work on. Let me know your interest in either of these projects.
The Board has not yet reviewed the survey we did, but should be publishing the results real soon. A motion was brought forward at the June 8 Board Meeting that Board members be allowed to show in our exhibits without being required to staff the show. The motion passed after some discussion. Members of the Board are very supportive of our exhibits and this is not to say that Board members will never staff our shows, but only that the requirement has been waived.
I look forward to seeing you at our meeting August 3
Elaine Nienkamp