May Gallery A: Judy Thompson Watercolors

Judy Thompson is a Midwesterner, from Orange City, Iowa, who gets much of her inspiration from the prairies which surround her home. Her richly textured paintings have been described as “beautiful images which capture a sense of place.”

Thompson 1

Judy’s artwork has received national and regional awards. In 2010, Judy was selected by the National Park Service as an Artist-in-Residence at the Homestead National Monument in Beatrice, Nebraska where she was a featured artist for their Art-in- the-Park program. Inspired from this experience, Judy created The Homestead Series, a group of twelve paintings which are currently touring the Midwest to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Homestead Act.

“Putting watercolor on paper is an exciting and unpre- dictable adventure. It allows me to reveal the moods, colors and textures of the world around me, while still capturing a sense of mystery and depth in my compositions. When choosing a subject, I look for dramatic lighting, strong design or a captivating gesture which will resonate with the viewer.

Transparent watercolor allows me to capture both subtle and vibrant color through multiple washes applied to paper. Pig- ments are allowed to mix and mingle on the paper which creates a spontaneous dimension to my work. Granulated pigments applied to either smooth or toothed paper, also help create interesting textural effects. Many times I draw part of my subject with pen and ink. These structured lines create tension with the free flowing watercolor, giving the image a dynamic feel. I also enjoy using crayon or wax resist on the paper before applying watercolor for a fresh, unexpected visual effect.

As you view my art, I trust you will be as refreshed and inspired, as I was in creating it.”

Thompson 2

Judy is a signature member of the Iowa Watercolor Society and associate member of Iowa Artists, the National Watercolor Society and the Transparent Watercolor Society of America.

You can also find Judy’s art at the following galleries: Rehfeld’s Art & Framing, Sioux Falls, SD, and the Glacial Till Winery, Tasting Room & Gallery, Ashland, NE

In addition to commissioned work, Judy is also a popular teacher and workshop presenter.

May Gallery B:  Johnson Crossing Academic Center & Fremont Middle School Awards Show  (5/1 – 5/17)

The best of the best from Johnson Crossing Academic Center and Fremont Middle School (grades 5 through 7), will be on exhibit May 1st until May 17th.

Awards Middle School

Andrea Rockemann, Amy Gillispie (Johnson Crossing), and Axton Kahler (Fremont Middle School) will hang a very select show of this year’s student art and honor their students during the reception with an award ceremony as a way to encourage their budding artists. We appreciate their efforts to celebrate the creativity of art students, grades 5 through 7!
Drop in to see the work!

 

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April Gallery A: Fremont Public Schools K-12 Select Show

It’s that time again, when all the wonderful children’s art from the public schools invades our gallery! Thanks to the hard work of dedicated art teachers, Mara Hornig, Christie Gutzmann and Cody Wheelock at senior high level; Andrea Rockemann and Amy Gillespie at the Johnson Crossing Academic Center, Axton Kahler at the middle school; and Julie Bristol, Erin Wesely and Jesse Kiefer at the elementary level; we have another fantastic display of children’s artwork!

Gallery A 1 Gallery A 2

As an organization dedicated to the visual arts, we are so thankful that the Fremont Public School System continues to support and fund the visual arts for the children of Fremont, continuing quality programs for our children. This is not true of all school systems.

Creativity is a huge part of a child’s development and strikes a wonderful balance with the core classes – actually enhancing performance in all areas of the curriculum.

This is always one of the most popular shows housed in our gallery and one of the most colorful displays.  If you have never attended a reception for this show, you don’t know what you have missed.  The children and their families know they have a piece of artwork there, but no clue what it might be. The excitement as the families enter our doors, and their searching for, and finding the special piece, is a joy to behold.

Gallery A 3

Mark April 7th on your calendar, and plan to attend the reception for these young artists. It might be an unexpected joy for you!

April Gallery B:  Midland University Senior Garland Bennett

Two years ago the art department of Midland University and Fremont Area Art Association formed a partnership. In that partnership, we offered to host Midland University senior art shows at our gallery during the month of April, affording MU graduating seniors a taste of showing their work outside the campus setting, and giving them a chance to have their work viewed by the general public. Last year Lisa Lorsch, who had interned in our building held her senior show here; this year Garland Bennett is hanging his show in our gallery.

Garland is a somewhat non-traditional student. He earned an Associates in Art Degree from Iowa Western Community College, then enrolled at Midland University where he has been pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Studio Art. He will graduate this May.

The Bellevue native is not only an artist, but enjoys writing, planning to concentrate on writing in graduate school at Full Sail University and earn his Master of Arts Degree in Fine Arts.

Come meet this young man, and help us wish him well as he celebrates the completion of this phase of his education, and prepares to begin work on his next degree. It is our pleasure to offer our gallery to senior art majors from Midland University!

 

 

 

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March Gallery A: Fremont Area Art Association ANAC Selection Show

ANAC ShowMembers of Fremont Area Art Association, who are also members of the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs (an additional membership we offer) are exhibiting their work in Gallery A this month. Each ANAC member is allowed to enter up to three pieces of artwork in hopes their work will be recognized as worthy to travel on to the state level competition.

Organizing all this is a huge job! Thanks to Mary Ringenberg, our vice-president, and Pam Hynek, our Secretary, who are co- chairs of the ANAC committee for FAAA. They do a tremendous amount of paper work, arrange for the judge, hang the show, then organize the work that is selected to travel to the state level. This is a huge amount of work, and our sincere thanks go out to them.

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March Gallery B: Department of Agriculture Nebraska Children’s Poster Contest

 

Ag Posters

Gallery 92 West is again hosting the artwork created by children in this area.

National Agriculture Week runs March 17th through March 23rd. In celebration of this special week, The Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce’s Agricultural Business and Natural Resource Council, and the Fremont Tribune asked children in kindergarten through fifth grade to demonstrate their visions of Nebraska Agriculture by sponsoring a poster contest.

Children are given the opportunity to create an original work of art. An entry form is sent home to students in Fremont and the surrounding area schools. Some teachers take advantage of the opportunity and make the poster contest into a class project. There are three age categories – kindergarten and first grade; second and third grade; and fourth and fifth grade. The top three entries in each category are awarded a prize that is donated by a local business.

The win objective of the Council’s contest is to encourage children to think about the way Nebraska’s agriculture affects them. It is evident that children clearly understand the significance agriculture has on the state and their community. Farming seasons, livestock production, ethanol and feeding the world were just a few subjects drawn. It is amazing what the children thought of and their artistic ability to put it on paper. Gallery 92 West is hosting the show for these wonderful works of art in Gallery B, during the month of March. The reception for the Nebraska Agricultural Week Children’s Art show, is sponsored by Cleary Building Corporation, Fremont, NE.

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February Gallery A: John W. Dennison Pottery

Red Tea Pot“To my mind no one has better captured the artist’s experience, as well as his reward, than the 19th century writer, designer, and socialist, William Morris: ‘Truth is making by hand, and making by hand is joy.’ No modern or postmodern rhetoric. Simple making, simple joy, simple truth. This simplicity, coupled with a good deal of curiosity, fuels my work.”Black Cross

Indiana native, John Dennison began teaching English in an Omaha Junior High in 1970, where he was introduced to clay. He soon purchased a pottery wheel and kiln, and he was off. “. . . I had a few very sympathetic and understanding customers who thought all teapots dribbled.”

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