This preview of the weekend just came in from Sandy Page, Director, Winnsboro Cultural Arts District. . .
Friday evening, December 16th, from 6-9pm, Winnsboro’s Keyring Gallery (107 Locust) will host their Christmas “3rd Friday” Art Walk Opening.
As part of the regular Artists’ Exhibition, they are including a small group of “emerging artists“, from Alex Faber Smith’s WISD High School art class. Brent Bassham, classical guitarist, will present an evening of Christmas music.
The winning students were presented with cash prizes from a grant awarded to the Cultural Arts District from the Texas Commission on the Arts.
First place winner, Amanda (LaShaye) Johnson’s creativity reminds one of the famous New York “graffiti art” of Jean-Michel Basquiat, who rose to fame in the 1980’s. Raw, colorful and potent, “Shaye’s” image locks the viewer into a thought provoking relationship with life and all of its ramifications.
A feeling of beauty and peace lies within the turmoil and chaos. Facing and recognizing life’s challenges brings knowledge to those who dare to truly take up the challenge,…that knowledge can serve as a ”key” to navigating life. Shaye’s colors dance and delight the viewer.
Jessica Porter, the 2nd place winner, brings amazing talent to the exhibition. Her “White Horse” shows a skill beyond belief, and establishes the high caliber of her talent. Execution is flawless, and one feels the powerful, but graceful, movement of this majestic steed. The actual award went to another of Porter’s horse images.
Some are shocked that this one won the award. It is simple at first glance, almost static, and is brown in color. Compared to the “White Horse”, the execution of this horse seems more “child-like”. But, upon viewing, something holds the viewer’s eye and the reason is a bit puzzling.
As the image is studied, the green overlay of color on the brown horse seems to “shimmer”, suggesting that he might actually race off at any moment.
Surrounding the small horse is an aura, a white “mystical and magical” light. Suddenly, thoughts of Picasso, come to mind….able to “copy” anything, but expressing himself in a more primitive, yet more complex, fashion.
Michael Mahoney’s “Longhorn Steer” stands solid and grounded with a captivating, somewhat Cubist construction. The “grey boulder” mid section of the body, magnifies the steer’s power, while serving as an anchor for the varied angles of the legs.
This Longhorn could turn and “charge” in any direction. The amazing horns present a balance to the overall picture. You sense his eyes upon you, but suddenly realize they are an “abstraction”. Enigmas always add energy, and this one adds to the power of this portrayal. This 3rd place winner must know cattle well, and on a first hand basis.
The Gallery is filled with wonderful art from established artists for sale at reasonable prices. Represented are paintings, drawings, sculpture, masks, and ceramics (see Art Walk’s SayADream Studio for a large selection of ceramics and silver).
SayADream is, also, offering the opportunity for the public to make individual Christmas ornaments ($5). The Studio will fire them and have them ready for Christmas.
The “3rd Friday” Art Walk includes downtown merchants, who are open for the evening Art Walk. They include Beauweevils, Liefie, Art & Espresso, Jan’s Antiques, Winnsboro Emporium, Main St Antiques & Collectibles and Silhouette Dressmaking. .
Each has art, special gifts, sales, and events. Most are serving refreshments for this festive Holiday event.
For more information, call (903) 850-1662 or spagewcad@gmail.com.
