Two Galleries

Ms Katie and I had the opportunity to visit two art galleries.

The first gallery made an impression in two ways. The indoor exhibit was all high school art! A local artist spent months working with students in three neighboring high schools to develop pieces to show. There were several pieces using repurposed items found in the garage and scrap yards, there was art created with toilet paper rolls, there was clay, pencil drawings and oil paintings that put the messages and hearts of the teens themselves on display. Some had very explicit warnings concerning poverty and injustice. The messages were filled with concern for the world. Some were just fun! All the pieces revealed depth and insight from a generation that many of us don't always acknowledge.

The other impression was the outdoor gallery. With Ms Katie settled in the courtyard with a fountain splashing, cool breeze and more art, I took off into the woods. Trails criss-crossing back and forth covered almost 50 acres. At every bend and corner there was art! Clay clothes that led you around a corner, ceramic hands in the ground that led to the next trail, giant butterflies up in the trees, fallen logs carved with intricate designs, a labyrinth designed with stones and clover and colored mirrors reflecting reds, blues and yellows onto the green foliage. After a time of looking at the human created art, the God created art started to jump out at me too! The sun and the shadows playing on the leaves, the glistening spider web and the live dragon flies resting on the sculpted dragon fly.

The second is the gallery/studio of a wonderful young woman devoted to using her talent to encourage art in children. The gallery/studio is located in a mall with easy access for children and families. The walls are covered with art from kids as young as three and four. There were clay masks, dragons, butterflies, oil and water color paintings. Child sized tables and chairs covered the floor and the counters were loaded with all kinds of art supplies. Walking through the door you sense the fun and energy of young artists experimenting with great new tools.

Thank you to the people who focus on children and students!