Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo
ART News:
What do hats knitted by Melissa Alexander, a watercolor pencil portrait of Bubo the Great Horned Owl by Lydia Marshall, and abstracted collages by Jacci Gruninger have in common? Each of these artists care!
The common theme of the current exhibit at Village Arts follows the title “Sweet Charity”, where artists were invited to submit artwork that, if sold, would go to the charities of their choice. Nearly 2 dozen artists submitted over 40 pieces to the exhibition in the hopes of giving back to potentially over different 20 causes that are close to their hearts. The variety of subject matter and techniques currently on display reflects a diverse community of artists and their passions.
Many of the artist’s charities mirror the artwork that they chose to show. Ann Greene’s beaded wildlife scenes are set to support wildlife conservation broadly while Phyllisha Hamrick and Fran Stovall’s support the Espanola Humane Society with their cat themed artworks. Baylen Parada’s colored pencil portraits and Dixon Wolf’s figurative photographs would benefit Los Alamos Self Help and Los Alamos Family Strengths Network respectively. Diane Thurston’s pastel landscapes support the Santa Fe Food Depot and Shelly Riebe’s altered photographs support the HOPE Pregnancy Center, showing compassion for those in need both locally and regionally. Renae Mitchell’s support of UNICEF with her nod to Ukraine in a painted sunflower sunrise takes on a more global passion. Several artists involved with the local chapter of the Embroider’s Guild banded together to send young women to a STEM related summer camp!
Whatever the focus, each artist goes the extra mile to effect change in the community and wider world, and Village Arts invites the public to support these artists and their selected charities through Feb. 28 by stopping in at 216 DP Road in Los Alamos to see the artwork in person, vote on favorite pieces, and perhaps fall in love with a piece knowing that a purchase would support an artist as well as the broader community! For more information on exhibits and Village Arts more broadly, check out www.villageartsframing.com or call 505.661.2526.
Village Arts is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., and by appointment.
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo