Karen Wray Fine Art Celebrates and Nurtures Local Artists

By Bonnie Gordon

Eighteen artists are represented at Karen Wray Fine Art–Gallery and Studio including many well-known in this community such as Secundino Sandoval, Janice Parker Muir, Sheridan Brown and gallery owner Karen Wray herself.

Wray has been providing local artists with a place to show and sell their work in her gallery at 2101 Trinity Dr., Suite B for the past three years.

“We’re celebrating Los Alamos with our own gallery and our own artists,” Wray said, adding that five new artists joined her gallery in April.

The gallery is bright and cheerful with great lighting to showcase a variety of creative work ranging from sculpture and jewelry to paintings and drawings of all kinds.

“The gallery can do the marketing and allow the artists to concentrate on their art,” Wray said. “We provide a great space to show their work.”

That work includes cards and prints as well as originals, so there’s something in every price range.

The gallery also offers art classes. Four classes for beginners will begin in June. The first is a two-day Beginning Drawing Workshop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., June 8 and 9. Sheridan Brown is the instructor.

“I encourage anyone who wants to start painting to take a drawing class,” Wray said. “Many people come into painting classes saying they don’t know how to draw. This class will give them the fundamentals. People say ‘I can’t even draw stick figures,’ but that’s where everyone starts.”

The gallery also will offer three painting classes for beginners:

  • Oil Painting with Karen Wray from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Fridays June 15-Aug. 3,
  • Pastel Painting with Janice Parker Muir 9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays June 16-Aug. 4, and
  • Watercolor Painting with Allen Brown 1-4 p.m., Sundays June 17-Aug. 5.

“The instructors teach students how to see things as an artist,” she said. “Something ordinary can be beautiful when you look at the light, color and shadow. It’s like giving people a whole new world.”

These classes are truly for beginners, Wray stressed. Visit www.karenwrayfineart.comto learn more about the classes.

“It takes a lot of time to be truly proficient, but if you put in the time, you can get there,” Wray said. “We want students to develop to the point that they can show their work in the gallery if that’s their goal.”

The gallery is holding its first ever Student Art Show opening from 5-7 p.m., Friday June 1. The show will be up for one week.

“The instructors are just as proud as the students at how far they’ve come,” Wray said. “The show will give students the opportunity to show their families and friends the progress they’ve made.”

The show also will give prospective students an idea of what classes are like and how students progress, she said.

Wray began painting in oils in 1994 with a basic kit and a video.

“I loved it,” Wray said. “It was so much fun. I loved it so much I was holding my breath while I was painting.”

Wray began taking classes and from there, she just kept working and practicing. She showed her work in local restaurants and did a holiday show with a group of local artists for nine years.

Three years ago, she decided that local artists needed a permanent place to show and sell their work.

“It’s nice to have a place to show your work all the time, not just occasionally,” Wray said.

Karen Wray Fine Art is open noon to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday and noon to 3 p.m., Saturday.

Stop by and see the wealth of artistic talent that exists in Los Alamos. You will likely find the perfect piece to take home.

 

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