Artists of the Month: August 2018

Hetty Smith

Hetty was born and educated in Amsterdam, Holland. She is a retired secretary, loan officer and dressmaker. She has worked with stained glass since 1998, and fused glass since 2006, after taking classes at Doña Ana Community College. Her love for stained glass started years ago growing up in Holland. She was inspired by the decorative stained glass windows found in many homes and churches in Europe. She has been a member of the gallery for about 14 years and has served as a board member of the gallery.

Richard Spellenberg

Richard is a retired biology professor from New Mexico State University. He was a botanist who studied plant diversity, and he continues this interest in using many different kinds of woods. He first used a small lathe in his father’s shop as a young teenager, but became active in woodturning after retirement. His source for wood is mostly “found” wood given by friends and family from trees removed from landscaping, from winter-fallen trees on forested family land in California, and wherever else an interesting piece of wood may be found – such as along an ocean beach. Each of his pieces at the gallery include a description of the species of tree that provided the wood, and its source.

New Gallery Artist

Kerry O'Neill

Growing up in Santa Fe, Kerry was exposed to and is now inspired by the colorful and fanciful artwork displayed at the International Folk Art Museum. Many of her carved pieces are reminiscent of the brightly colored flora in folk art throughout the world such as the Amate bark paintings of Guerro, Mexico and Pennsylvania Dutch toleware. As a lifelong fiber artist, Kerry earned a B.S. in Fashion/Costume Design from Incarnate Word University, San Antonio, TX. Over the past ten years she developed a passion for ceramics which led her to combine two art forms into one where reeds are woven onto ceramic ware. An elementary art teacher, she shares her love of learning about ceramics with her students by encouraging their own experimentation. Kerry moved to Las Cruces five years ago and enjoys being a part of the area’s art community.

In addition, the gallery artists offer art in many media, which include:
original paintings, photography, jewelry, art tile, fabric collage,
stained glass and gourds, as well as affordable note cards and prints.
For further information please call 575-522-2933.

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