Hinds Gallery: Studio Art Quilt Associates “PASSAGES”

Visit the gallery this month to see a variety of art quilts from several di_erent SAQA members. We are pleased to have such an array of handcrafted works. We are sure the details in each piece will impress you.

Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the art quilt through education, exhibitions, professional development, documentation, and publications. SAQA de_nes an art quilt as “a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure.”

Founded in 1989 by an initial group of 50 artists, SAQA now has over 3,400 members: artists, teachers, collectors, gallery owners, museum curators and corporate sponsors. A dedicated core of volunteers and sta_ keep the organization vibrant, dynamic, and progressive. Visit SAQA.com for more information, including membership details, and their online store.

Artists from Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and California, who are members of Nebraska Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) are presenting their work in the exhibit “PASSAGES”. The International Quilt Study Center Museum in Lincoln Nebraska premiered “PASSAGES” in April 2017 for exhibition during the SAQA International Conference.

The exhibit “PASSAGES” explores the concept of a moment captured in time. A moment can be one of peaceful restfulness, a dynamic moment such as making the winning goal in a game. The instant of movement from one state to another can be seen in spiritual moments as well.

Whether it is used as a noun or a verb “PASSAGES” allows the artist the freedom to conceive work which can be representational or abstract.

Join us at the gallery for the opening reception on Friday, February 2, from 5-7pm.

Dugan Gallery: Carolyn Albracht Mixed Media and Watercolors

Carolyn Albracht is a Nebraska native and art education instructor in the Art and Design department at Wayne State College. Most recently, Albrecht earned her PhD in education studies in 2016. Her work is inspired by her study of psychology and interest in Zen Buddhism.

Albracht began making and using doodle books almost a decade ago when she began her teaching career. Her doodlebooks contain inspirations for works in watercolor, acrylic, Prismacolor markers, pigment liners, stitching and sometimes collage. Albracht refers to her work as “whimsical” and notes even though her ­gures may resemble Dr. Suess characters, she is inspired by the rural communities where she has lived her whole life. She re‑ects this in her current work.

Albracht says, “Artists must remain true to themselves if they are to maintain their practices as artists.” At times she’s tempted to practice a more “traditional” style and subdued colors; but the artist says, “ I always drift back to the imagery and colors that excite me.”

Albracht believes, “some of us living in rural communities are bright pops of color that keep life interesting. Our presence also reminds the more traditional-minded among us, that we are not all the same.”

Please join us this month as we celebrate Albracht’s vibrant and fantastical work. The cheery, vibrant colors and imaginative works are sure to put a smile on your face. An artist reception will be held Friday, February 2 from 5-7 pm.

HINDS GALLERY:  ROBERT THERIEN PAINTINGS

    Gallery 92 West will ring in the new year featuring the vibrant botanical works of Robert C. Therien, Jr. Therien received the 2016 Merit Award at the Americas All Media exhibit at the Northwest Art Center, at Minot State University. He was also awarded the Nancy L. Pate Award from Watercolor USA at the Springfield Art Museum.

     His work includes plant, greenhouse and isolated water images that are, in Therien’s words, “by their nature dramatic and subjectively appealing.”

     Robert Therien has exhibited internationally as well as in several states. Past exhibitions include the shows at the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society International Exhibition two years in a row and at the Springfield Art Museum in Missouri with the Watercolor USA Honor Society. His juried exhibitions include Allied Artists of America, Inc., and the Taos National Exhibition of American Watercolor XIV, with the Taos Society of Watercolorists.

     Most recently, Therien’s work was part of the Gallery 72 Toring Exhibition, and the MONA Artreach Touring Exhibition with the Museum of Nebraska Art.

     Therien works from drawings, photographs, and conceptual images to enhance the mystical nature of his compositions, design and color orchestrations for his work. His intent is to capture a freshness and luminosity, as well as a spontaneity evident in patterns on the water’s surfaces.

     Join us in the gallery this month as we infuse the wintry month of January with hints of warmer weather and infusions of color sure to boost your mood! An Artists’ Reception will be held n Friday, JAnuary 5th from 5-7pm. This is a “SNOWBALL” Event, and FAAA Members are encouraged to bring a friend. All new guests will be entered into a drawing for FREE  Individual Membership and othe prizes.

     The Exhibits are ALWAYS FREE and the Public is invited anytime, Tuesdays through Sundays from 1-4pm.

DUGAN GALLERY: Fremont Public Schools Select Elementary Student Artwork

We are pleased to host a wide variety of Masterpieces created by local young artists from the Fremont Public Elementary Schools. Art Specialists, Julie Bristol, Jesse Kiefer and Jenny Trapp promise a delight for viewers to peruse in the gallery!

Included in the artworks is evidence of their classroom studies: of specific artists, fundamentals and principles of art, technique and craftsmanship, as well as students’ personal stories. Examples of drawing, painting, and collage art will be on view.

Come enjoy the uplifi=ting, unfettered and COLORFUL creative spark that only young minds can express!

TRACY GALLERY: Todd A. Williams The Legacy of Nebraska

                    Sponsored in part by First National Bank Fremont

Born and raised in the great state of Nebraska, Todd A. Williams has always been inspired by the awesome sunsets of his childhood. After receiving his education in Central City, Nebraska, from grade school to high school, he enrolled in classes at the Central Community College in Columbus, and graduated with an Associates Degree. Williams transferred to the Kansas City Art Institute and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.Todd WIlliams worked for Hallmark Cards until 2002, when he officially resigned to pursue his own art.

The Legacy of Nebraska project by Todd Williams is recognized as a Signature Event of the Nebraska Sesquicentennial. The exhibit commemorates the nostalgia and history of Nebraska with 123 paintings, at least one from each of the state’s 93 counties.

Williams’ mission for the past five years has been to depict significant historic, geographic and figurative elements from founding-era Nebraska. Gallery 92 West is honored to be one of thehandful of venues to exhibit this important work.

Todd Williams says of the Legacy of Nebraska Project:  It is my vision to give recognition and awareness of my great State and bring its beauty to life on canvas.  I desire to show not only the historical legacy but all the diversity and simplicity of the landscape and landmarks. Under the influence of turn of the century American Impressionists, some of the Legacy of Nebraska paintings have been created en plein air and others in the studio.  My heart’s desire for this project is to reawaken an appreciation for the Arts while preserving the unique beauty and heritage that Nebraska has to offer.

Hinds Gallery:  Artists from the Hot Shops Art Center – Omaha

In 1999 a group of established artist studios and interested investors purchased the old Serta Mattress Factory just north of the Old Market area in Omaha, with the idea of sharing molten resources while giving artists in Omaha a studio of their own amongst a village of other artists.

The Hot Shops Art Centr gets its name from the four anchor studios or “shops”.  Each deals in various fiery disciplines to shape their artistic expressions, which require thousands of degrees to create.  These trades require crucibles of melted metals, forges of molten glass, and kilns of baked clay.

Crystal Forge uses glass furnaces and annealing ovens for producing flat art glass and glass jewels to be used by stained glass fabricators, unique glasses and vases, stunning bowls and decorative plates, as well as one-or-a-kind “art glass”.  They also produce customized glasswork for architects and interior designers.

Bruning Sculpture is a foundry for casting bronze, aluminum, and iron for production of unique fine art and interesting architectural details.

Hot Shops Pottery produces ceramic pots and sculptures ranging from the very small to the really big.  Deep inside the studio is a rather large, walk-in kiln.

C.K. Fabrication is a fully functioning blacksmithing shop.

The Hot Shops Art Center also features 58 artist studios, and three art galleries.  The studio spaces, which occupy almost the entire building, house over 100 artists of all disciplines.  An energizing influence on development of art, Hot Shops ultimately creates relationships among artists and fosters a sense of community.  Open to the public seven days a week, the Hot Shops Art Center offers a unique art adventure, and constantly changing array of artwork!