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GALLERY HAPPENINGS April 2016

Gallery Moab
by Thea Nordling

Yrma Van SteenstraetenEnjoy the variety of artistic expression inspired by the beauty and grandeur of the Colorado Plateau at Gallery Moab. This cooperative of local artists is a showcase for original paintings and photography, metal work, ceramics, glass, mosaics, and jewelry, as well as prints, cards and gift items.

April’s Guest artist is Yrma van der Steenstraeten, a Dutch artist who lives in Castle Valley. Skilled in using a variety of mediums, she has developed a contemporary style that expresses her passion for the beauty of nature. Her feminine, flowing touch of the brush results in elegant organic forms. Her intriguing paintings vary from almost realistic, surreal to abstract compositions, sometimes incorporating Steampunk style. Her recent oil and acrylic paintings of animals focus on the eyes, inviting the viewer to connect with the creature’s soul. Meet her at a reception at the gallery, April 9, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Michael PorterGallery Moab’s newest artist is Michael Porter of Blanding, who creates colorful, quirky ceramics. Mike has won multiple awards for his art, and teaching. He finds most of his inspiration from childhood experiences growing up in a small farming community where he spent many hours in his grandfather’s repair and blacksmith shop and in the family garden. Mike is exploring his License Plate Series of forms and functional art and his fascination with the art of the automobile – sure to please automobile enthusiasts here for Jeep Safari and the Car show!

Robert McKendrick, a retired businessman from Price, is another new Gallery Moab artist. He will be showing his glowing portfolio of photos at Gallery Moab, featuring images of slot canyons with their intricate play of light and shadow.

Shari Michaud is our featured gallery artist in April. Primarily a ceramic artist, she also paints as a relaxing outlet when the glazing process leaves her frustrated. She enjoys subjects with clean, objective lines and sharp contrasts. Her current series of bike paintings originated from an athletic injury she suffered leaving her unable to ride or run for over six months. Her bike, like her, was ‘eager’ to go out. She found she enjoyed posing bikes as actors and finding personality in different handle bar stems, and tilts of the front wheel. Shari and the models for her paintings are finally outside again and instead of being eager to go out, they’re excited for the next ride.Shari Michaud

Coming soon... A few of the artists at Gallery Moab, will be conducting “Paint Nights” in which participants (all levels of experience) are led through creating a painting. All supplies will be provided. It is intended to be a fun activity for a night out on the town with the girls, the guys, or a date. Please visit the gallery to find out more about class offerings and paint nights. We look forward to seeing you!

Open 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday – Saturday; Sunday 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Closed Monday & Tueasday

87 North Main Street • 435-355-0024
Open Thursday through Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
gallerymoab.com
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Spring Equinox Show - Big Horn Gallery

Phil WagnerThe Bighorn Gallery at Dead Horse Point State Park will be exhibiting original artwork by local artists from Gallery Moab. The Spring Equinox Show is a collection of original artwork on display from March 6th through May 1st, 2016. An opening reception with the artists will be held in the Bighorn Gallery on Sunday, March 20th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Park entrance fees will be waived for those attending the reception.

Gallery Moab is a cooperative art gallery with the mission to ‘enrich, empower, and support Moab artists and build community through the arts’. Six painters will be displaying their artwork during the show.

Phil Wagner is ex-Peace Corps, a poetry teacher, parent, lecturer in psychology, a custom home builder, world traveler, socialist and documentary film maker. He believes that “successful art isn’t just another pretty picture.”

Robin Straub’s oil paintings are a personal celebration of natural beauty where she lives and often include landscapes of rock, river, mountains, clouds, plants and cityscapes. Sharing her work with interested friends continues to be the icing on the creative cake.Robin Straub

Page Holland is a Moab native with pioneer roots. She and her family raise horses to ride in the back country. She has learned that young horses take offense with a paint kit rattling in the pack, so instead she usually relies on a camera for reference shots to paint in the studio. She spends way too much time volunteering on boards, but has narrowed them down to three that are art related.

Shari Michaud prefers clay over most other mediums and she also enjoys picking up a paint brush. Shari holds a BFA in Studio Art from Chapman University. Her paintings reflect her visual interest in rusting machines. Michaud enjoys a machine’s clean lines and the similarity of rusted metal tones and hues to the local desert landscape. She feels as though the desert is actively reclaiming its minerals.

Sandi Snead believes that some people are born artists. It is in the way they see the world, react to it and reinvent it. Snead’s colorful landscapes sometime reflect her love for the surreal and always offer the viewer her unique point of view. “There’s no lack of inspiration in the southwest,” she says, “sometimes I just like to give it a twist.”Sandi Snead

Larry Christensen has shown work in galleries all over the western United States, had over twenty one-man shows, won that many “Best of Show” awards in contests and exhibitions, and has works in collections in Europe and South Africa as well as America.

During the art exhibit at Dead Horse Point State Park, each work of art is available for purchase. Learn more about each artist at gallerymoab.com or visit Gallery Moab at 87 North Main Street in Moab.

Dead Horse Point State Park is located nine miles north of Moab on US 191, and 23 miles south on SR 313. The visitor center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Park admission is $10. For more information, please contact the park at 435-259-2614 or Gallery Moab at 435-355-0024.


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