163 pieces of art and woodcarvings were on display.
Linda Strauss-Lewis
The PebbleCreek Art and Woodcarvers Clubs joined together on Friday, April 3, 2015, to celebrate and share their talents and exceptional, artistic achievements with the PebbleCreek community. Hundreds of PebbleCreekers came by to enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres and 163 pieces of original art and woodcarving works. The attendees also entered a silent auction to win one of 24 quality art pieces donated by generous PC artists. To call this a consummately, professional gala would be an understatement!
The event marked the third Meet the Artists showcase, but for the first time the art community got to show off in true, professional style. The Creative Arts Committee (CAC) purchased beautiful grey flannel art panels as classroom dividers that turned out to also be perfect for displaying art! They put us in league with fine arts galleries around the world. If you want to create art as beautiful as this but don’t know where to start, check out Jeanne Oliver online, to see what she can do for you and get your foot in the door of the art world.
Bonnie Lewis, director of the Catitude Gallery and Studio in Avondale, was chosen as Judge for the event. She chose three winning artists (First Place, Second Place and Honorable Mention) in each of the ten art categories represented. Lewis has a fine eye and took her time assessing the best, so all the winners should be proud of their achievement. Added to her praise, the event included a People’s Choice Award. PebbleCreekers roamed the two gallery rooms, taking time to choose their favorite pieces and then submitted their choices in specially designed boxes for the MTA committee to count.
Shirley Smith, who handled art purchases in the Gallery that evening, said, “We sold more paintings and woodcarvings than we’ve ever sold at any one event.” And no wonder. I’ve lived in PebbleCreek for ten years. I’ve watched beginner artists (even those who proclaim that they can’t draw a straight line with a ruler), become incredibly masterful in just a few years. Many have gone on to win local and national prizes in their chosen mediums. The warm sharing of ideas encourages each of us to strive and grow rapidly. In addition, our own accomplished PC instructors as well as visiting teachers all contribute a professionalism that fast tracks each student’s ability to progress to their next level of competency.
Fine oil painter Charles Peterman chaired the event with co-chairs Dee Smart, Loretta Pruett and Barb Rossi; however, an event as large as this requires many hands. Pruett said that more than 20 volunteers helped make this show such a grand success. Additionally, special thanks go to Sheril Symonds and Desiree Mansell for hand lettering the 163(!) label cards showcasing each artist and their art piece. Thank you, Sheril. Thank you, Desiree.
Want to purchase original art for your home? Many of the artists from this show and the diverse, creative work of our other art clubs are always on display in the Expressions Gallery and in window displays throughout the Creative Arts Building. It’s a fine and fun place to bring your visiting guests, too.
We hope to see you all at next year’s Meet the Artist event!