PAST EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS
Please stop by this week and view many of these artist's works in our South Gallery.
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February, 2010
Artist of the Month:Bonnie Ligouri
Bonnie was born in Iowa and raised as a small child in a rural setting and if you ask, she will admit that small farms in Iowa didn’t provide a young lady a lot of artistic entertainment. She created her own entertainment using pencils, crayons and anything else she could brush or pen onto paper.
A Nevada resident since 1960, Bonnie continued painting into the 1980’s but didn’t get serious about her art until the late 1990’s. Since then she has had instructions from individual artists and has found her niche in the classroom settings. She has artwork in acrylic and watercolor, but focuses primarily on oils as her medium of choice.
When asked about her artwork, Bonnie simply says, “I’ve always loved drawing” and from her wistful look in her eye, the statement is richly filled with memories that started as a young lady on a small farm in Iowa.
January, 2010
Artist of the Month: Marcia "Koko" Kokoczka
Born and bread in the State of Michigan, "Koko's" interest in the west and pottery began during a simple spring break in the late 60's visiting her sister in Colorado. She knew, from that point on, the west was for her. "I knew in my heart I would move west sometime in my life".
Already settled into work at Consumers Energy (a Michigan Power Company) and married to Ron with two children to raise, the west would have to wait. Every summer, 3 weeks were dedicated to family camping
trips in the west, trying to find that perfect town. From the top of Pikes Peak to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and everywhere in between, the search went on. From all those years of traveling west, even the children, as they grew, fell in love with and wanted to move west. . . and did. After Koko and her husband retired, they made the move to Mesquite in 2006.
During the last 13 years in Michigan, ‘Koko’s’ interest in pottery became a reality when she took wheel and slab pottery classes at the local museum with a well renowned potter, Mary Humphrey.
Upon arrival in Mesquite and discovering the pottery studio, ‘Koko’ began creating pieces using the slab pottery method. She was soon invited to teach her skills in a ‘Slab Pottery Class’. She has been teaching the class for a couple years and finds that she not only teaches but learns a lot from her students and enjoys every minute of each class.
Koko is a member of the Virgin Valley Artist Association. Besides teaching the Slab Pottery Class she also volunteers her time at the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery each month. "It’s a great way to meet all the wonderful artists, locals and visitors to the great City of Mesquite".
December, 2009
Artist of the Month: Elodie McGuirk
A native of Southern California born in 1948, Elodie McGuirk has always enjoyed the study of fine art. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara, she worked teaching high school in San Marino, California for 8 years until she took time off to raise her two children. Most of her child rearing years were spent as a single mother while working for the Claremont Colleges. As her children got older, Elodie founded a children's charity, "Shoes That Fit." Serving as the founder and executive director for 11 years, this grass roots effort grew into a national organization which is now helping needy elementary school children in 1,200 elementary schools across 35 states.
Over 100,000 pairs of shoes and other needed items of clothing are given to
needy schoolchildren every year. Elodie retired in 2003 and now has resumed
painting.
Her travels have taken her all over the world where she draws her inspiration from the countryside. Painting with traditional oil, her use of color and the effects of light on the subject matter evoke an impresionistic style.
She now makes her home in Mesquite, Nevada. Her paintings have sold in southern California and she received an honorable mention in the national "Lucky 13" small arts competition in 2007. Her most recent honor is "Artist of the Month" for December 2009 in Mesquite, Nevada.
November, 2009
Artist of the Month: Mariann Jenkins
Mariann was born in Buffalo, New York. Her artistic ability showed itself early, winning a Second Place award given by the Buffalo Museum of Science for a charcoal drawing when she was eight years old. At age twenty two she left the freezing environment of up-state New York seeking a sunnier climate which she found in Huntington Beach, California.
Mariann studied art at Maria’s Artistry in Oils in Huntington Beach for five years while raising her four children, but as happens too many of us life interferes with our true calling and painting had to be put aside. Mariann had successful careers as a Cosmetologist, and CN nurse, as well as business owner of several beauty supply stores and the “Down Under Restaurant” in Las Vegas but was unable to pursue her art career.
But as Mariann is fond of telling all of her friends, “It’s never too late.” When she moved to Mesquite five years ago she once again took up her paint brushes and be the artist she always was.
Mariann has taken painting classes in the past from Patty Bingham, art teacher for the Community College in Mesquite, and from Diana Coonradt. She works mostly in Acrylics but is currently learning the skill of drawing with Ms. Bingham. She is discovering a whole new form of expression using just a yellow #2 pencil. In 2008 Mariann was awarded a third place ribbon in the annual Virgin Valley Artist’s Association “Spring Salon” held in the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery. Mariann is a member of the VVAA and is involved with the GET SMART WITH ART / STAY SMART WITH ART program sponsored by VVAA.
“Peace is what I feel when I paint!” She goes on to say, “I would encourage anyone to take a class and try it. Age means nothing. One of the students we teach in the STAY SMART WITH ART program is 96. She is my inspiration. Just try it! You’ll like it and remember –It’s never too late!!” PEACE...
October, 2009
Artist of the Month: Donna Johnson
Donna was born in and raised Minneapolis, MN. She is married and has four children. Husband Glenn attended the Minneapolis Institute of Art. That's when and where 
she was first introduced to the arts, and learned to appreciate art in all forms. She still returns to the Institute for visits when they are on vacation. Upon moving to Mesquite, and enjoying two-years of retirement together, Glenn passed away.
She found a great support group in the Desert Dames, and through another member of this fun group, was introduced to a Char Lang, a thriving artist and teacher of watercolor painting. At that time, Char was giving classes in a room at the credit union. Donna says, "In the beginning she had to order all paints, brushes, paper, etc. for me, as I knew nothing at all of watercolor. This began many happy years of taking instructions from her. If I had known, I might have started with an easier medium! But, I became delighted with the unpredictable nature of watercolor painting. Sometimes what you start out with, is not what you end up with. There are many variations and different techniques used in watercolor."
Donna has participated in workshops to learn different methods from artists Carl Purcell, Roland Lee and Max Burnell and has also taken classes in drawing from Patty Bingham at the community college, and other local instructors.
Some of Donna's paintings have been displayed at the Fine Arts Gallery as well as other businesses around our town. and also at the Pomegranate Festival and the Scoop in Overton. Donna has been awarded several "honorable mention" ribbons, and a third place finish in various juried exhibitions.
Donna says " I'm honored to be Artist of the Month, and hope that you will come and enjoy viewing my paintings and others at the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery".
September, 2009
Artist of the Month: David Bly
Our Artist of the Month is someone we all think we know, as we read his articles and see his picture in the Desert Valley Times every week, but there is more to this man than meets the eye. For instance, did you know that Bly was born in Magrath, Alberta, Canada? Did you know he served a two year LDS mission to the continent of Africa? Did you know he is an award winning author? Did you know he is the father of six children, twin sons who are both doctors, one son who is a Major in the U.S. Air Force and has eighteen grandchildren?
Bly attended college in both Idaho and Oregon and has worked for newspapers on both sides of the border. His newspaper career has been varied, from
being the only editorial employee of the Clark County, Idaho Enterprise, with a readership of 1,000, to being a writer and holding several editorial
management positions at the Calgary Herald, where the newsroom alone had 200 employees.
For his last five years at the Calgary Herald, he was the heritage writer, focusing on historical issues, events and people, twice going to Europe to do stories
related to World War II. He has taught college journalism and photography, as well as teaching adult education courses in creative writing and photography. Bly
has won awards for newspaper writing and photography in Idaho, Alberta and Nevada, and won several national community newspaper awards in Canada.
He is the author of “The McIntyre Liar,” a novel that won three awards and is studied in western Canadian junior high schools. He has written for several magazines, including most recently for the Canadian edition of Reader’s Digest. He wrote several chapters for a history of Alberta on the occasion of that province’s centennial in 2005.
His interests in photography and writing are combined to form a feature called “In the Mind’s Eye,” a photo with a philosophical caption using image and words together to form a unified message. This feature has appeared in about 30 newspapers in the U.S. and Canada. He has published three collections of “In the Mind’s Eye.” The first two are currently sold out. The third edition is available for purchase at the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery.
Bly and his wife Janet began visiting Mesquite when their daughter and son-in-law moved here eight years ago. Soon they began talking about how to move here. In 2006 he was offered the job of editor and general manager of the Desert Valley Times. He retired from the Calgary Herald and moved to Mesquite.
David Bly’s Thoughts on Photography
“I got into photography through journalism, which is the good news and the bad news. It taught me to shoot under almost any condition, and to shoot quickly. The bad news is, I have developed the habit of drive-by shooting, always in a hurry, always aware of deadlines.”
He continues, “We came to Mesquite for family reasons, but the added attraction was the incredible scenery and the abundant light. I vowed I would take more time with photography, to study a scene, wait for the light to be just right. Sometimes I am able to do that, but I’m still in the newspaper business, always in a hurry, always aware of deadlines.”
“I go out into the desert and the canyons, determined to be thoughtful, to look around to wait for just the right moment. The trouble is, there is so much to shoot here, I’m in a frenzy trying to capture it all. Gold Butte Country is my favorite territory, with its grand sweeps of horizon, with wonderful details. I can go back time after time and find it different each time.”
“I think I hate to let go of a day. Photography lets me hang on to a moment and share it with others”
“Maybe some day I’ll slow down.”
August 2009
Artist of the Month: Ron Bird
Ron Bird was born in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. Throughout his childhood he was inspired and influenced by his mother's art and creativity. By the age of 14 he began painting oils, following a series of Bob Ross videos his grandfather gave him.
People began to recognize and encourage his natural talent for art and he soon sold his first painting to the Mesquite Arts Council. His art has earned first place in an on-line competition and has been awarded numerous ribbons in local competitions.
While having sold several of his peices to the public, his greatest delight is the friends he has made among fellow artists here in Mesquite.
After graduating from Virgin Valley High School he served his country for four years in the United States Marine Corps where he met and fell in love with fellow Marine, Caroline.
They were married in October, 2003 and quickly started a family with two beautiful daughters. Ron is now back to his passion of art. His Pastor, Mark Weinrich gave Ron his first set of pencils, showing him how to get started. The former Marine picked up the medium quickly and immediately fell in love with it.
Today Bird enthusiastically continues to paint landscapes and seascapes with oils, as well as draw people and animals with colored pencils. His upbeat attitude is contagious and he really inspires others in the VVAA.
He is continually inspired by God's creation in the beauty of nature all around us and is a member of the Virgin Valley Artists Association. Bird is starting school this fall at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to obtain a bachelor's degree in fine arts.
July 2009
Artist of the Month: Katherine Bailey
Katherine Bailey’s accomplishments read like an entry in Who’s Who. As a matter of fact it would be an entry in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World, the Dictionary of International Biography as well as other non-fee collections.
Bailey's exhibition is called "Art from Grain of Sand to Infinity." She goes to great lengths to see and re-create "A world in a grain of sand." "An underlying
purpose in all of my work has been the search for unity in a world so ofter shattered by violent multiplicity," Bailey says.
Bailey brings to Mesquite a wealth of valuable and diverse experience. She counts among her many honors:
Ph.D, 1982 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society and scholarship
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Honorable Mention Bosque Art Gallery, NM 1985. Second Place 1986.
Positive review in Jan. 1987 Manhatten Arts Ariel Gallery in Soho with her painting "Ebony Chimera".
Certificate of merit at fourth Annual Holiday Exhibition of Oil Pastel Association, 1994
Honorable Mention at Multi-Media Art Exhibition of OPA, 1999.
General Pencil and Pastel Journal Award at Multi-Media Exhibition of OPA 2000.
Charles Hughes Award at OPA/UPA Edward Hopper Art Center Show 2001
First Place in "Lucky 13" International Small Works Show, Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery, Mesquite, NV 2006.
June 2009
Artist of the Month: Bunny Wiseman
Wiseman knew from the age of six she was an artist. Her career started when she repeatedly did a small drawing of a swan created by making two circles. She
drew the swan hundreds of times trying to get it perfect. Wiseman says this is usually the point at which many children give up on art convinced they can’t
draw. She believes anyone, regardless of age, can be taught the basics of drawing thus giving them the joy of art which they can call on for their entire life.
In her classes Wiseman reaches into her students to find that child in us all and helps them rediscover the pleasure of drawing. She says, “If you can turn a circle
on a line into a ball on a table with just a pencil, you can draw anything.”
Wiseman encourages people to let her teach them to draw. During her fifteen year teaching career she has had very few failures. Most of her students love her
gentle, patient method of teaching which begins with the basic direction to use the pointy end of the pencil. Her sense of humor is always present when she is in
class, making her students smile while they are rediscovering the artistic inner child.
Wiseman says the best teacher she has had in her career as a teacher and an artist has been her students. When she critiques their work she learns. She believes art is always just a lot of little corrections until you get it right. She learned to identify problems and how to solve them.
Wiseman has won many ribbons and prizes over the years. Her most prestigious reward was a place in a Colored Pencil Society of America show. She has also won awards with her watercolors. She has served as a judge in numerous shows in the Salt Lake City area. Over the years many people have enjoyed her portraits, still life drawings and abstracts, but she still says her talents are strongest in teaching and critiquing art.
As an officer in the Virgin Valley Artists Association you may even meet her in the gallery as she does stop by almost every day.
Wiseman’s class meets each Monday from 1-4 PM in the VVAA Art Studio in the Old Elementary School. Her class is an on going class so stop by any time and join the fun.
May 2009
Artists of the Month: Our talented Mesquite area school children and youth
Original, vibrant and imaginative school days student art was displayed throughout the Gallery.
April 2009
Artist of the Month: Peggy Peterson 
The Virgin Valley Artist’s Association has chosen Peggy Peterson as the Artist of the Month for April. Peterson was born and raised in Utah, she has been married for 41 years, has four children and 10 grandchildren and a poodle named Andre'.
Peggy, her husband, and Andre’ came to live in Mesquite in 2000. Peterson began her painting career in 2003 when she started watercolor classes with Char Lang. She still paints with Lang weekly. She says, “I always wanted to do it so I finally made it happen.”
Other art teachers have had an influence on Peterson’s art. She has taken drawing classes from VVAA instructor, Bunny Wiseman, and from Patty Bingham at Southern Nevada Community College. She has furthered her watercolor skills by taking classes from Carl Purcell, Roland Lee as well as Max Bunnell.
Peterson expresses her love of watercolor this way, “I love the medium because it is so flexible. You can take it with you any where you go and just sit out and paint or put your paints on a table and just go to it. You can range from representational to abstract and everything in between.”
She continues,” When watercolors are used wet-in-wet a wonderful spontaneous life of its own happens. I like to put texture in my paintings and the power of color and light intrigues me. With watercolor you can interpret anything any way you want too. It’s fun to express myself and to loose myself in painting. It is an honor and an achievement to be Artist of the Month and to show some of my paintings as well as my engravings on wood, glass and eggs. Painting is FUN”
Peterson has paintings on display in the gallery located in the Inside Scoop in Overton as well as Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery here in Mesquite.
March 2009
Artists of the Month: Char & Kent Lang
Char and Kent Lang are indeed partners in life as well as their art. Along with their dog Bear they can be found most days at the Virgin Valley Artist’s Association’s Art and Pottery Studio in the old elementary school. Char teaches two watercolor classes each week and they both create beautiful works of art in clay. The Art Studio is their home away from home.
Charlotte Lang was born in Pennsylvania and raised in Florida. As a young woman she moved west and became immediately enamored of the Southwest. The colors, shapes and textures became an integral part of her art. She says, “I feel I was born with a talent that I am compelled to use and my art is a process that is forever changing in media, technique and style. Creating shapes, changing colors, applying textures is one of my greatest joys.”Her creativity started with weaving but soon progressed into other media. Char has taught classes and workshops for over twenty years in Nevada, Oregon, New Mexico and Utah. Today she concentrates on watercolor, collages and hand built pottery with occasional forays into paper making, gourd enhancement and print making. Her art is found in homes throughout the USA and the world.
Kent Lang was born in San Francisco, California. At the ripe old age of three months he, along with his parents, moved to Las Vegas Nevada where he spent the next fifty years of his life. He considers himself a Vegas native. Kent tells us, “Luckily while engaged in a pottery class at the Las Vegas Reed-Whipple center I chanced upon a young watercolor teacher. I persuaded her that we would make a “powerful impact” in the arts world if we joined forces. Fortunately for me she agreed and we’ve been a team ever since.” Kent was never formally trained in the arts, but has found a great deal of satisfaction in working with clay to express his artistic side. His subjects are somewhat “esoteric” as you will see upon viewing his art. As he tells us, “Hanging around an artist for many years teaches you that “Art” comes from within and is somewhat independent of the beholder.”
Southwest Archaeology has been a source for much of their creative inspiration. They have drawn from the prehistoric cultures that roamed and lived in this valley and have a deep love and appreciation for their uses of colors, design and form as well as their rich mythological heritage. To learn more they have attended several university classes, field trips, excavations and laboratory work and have done art work in collaboration with several museums and archaeology projects.
Accompanying them in all their endeavors is Bear. They hardly think of her as a dog but as a unique member of their family. Bear is the true source of much of their artistic inspiration. She tags along to classes, field trips, lectures, workshops and everything they do. Bear is the quintessential observer and offers Char and Kent unique ideas on how to observe the world around them.
Bear is loved by all who meet her. A group of children in the Virgin Valley Family Services Latch Key After School Program met and learned to love Bear when Char and Kent taught paper making, collage and watercolor to them as part of the GMAF Get Smart With Art Program. With one line from each child they collaborated on the following poem for Bear. Poetry did not come natural to them but their poem is not a bad first attempt.
BEAR
Bear is a big friendly dawg.
She is black and cuddly.
She has big happy eyes.
She is a big fun fur ball.
She likes to run.
She eats food off the floor.
She likes kids.
Bear is an old dawg.
Char, Kent and Bear are very much a part of the city of Mesquite and the Virgin Valley Artists Association.
February 2009
Artist of the Month: Molly Richter
Molly (Marlene) Richter and her husband Jim came to Nevada from Minnesota. They decided they wanted to live in a warmer climate,ended up in Mesquite by accident and decided to stay. They love it here and are having the time of their lives being part of all the opportunities offered by the arts' community in Mesquite.
Her first instructor was Pat Waldorf, a neighbor who helped a couple of others who wanted to paint. Richter, up to that point in her life, had never painted anything but walls.She had always wanted to paint but, like so many wives and mothers,she had other responsibilities that took center stage. But like so many oflate life artists once the “Genie” was out of the box there was no putting her back.
Molly had so much fun in the neighborhood class she continued by taking a class taught by Susan Bergstrom. She then became a student in PattyBingham’s art class at Community College of Southern Nevada.
Because she has become so busy with her responsibilities dancing with the Mesquite Toes and singing in her church choir and with the Desert Dames Half Notes, she has no time for classes right now and Molly is now painting on her own at home. Not only has Molly learned to paint, dance and sing she even competed in the Ms Senior Mesquite Pageant in 2006. She is a women of many talents and she is willing to share them with all of us.
Artist of the Month: Casey James Olesen
January 2009
Making his home in Mesquite, NV, artist Casey James Olesen is a member of the Fine Art Association and the National Sculpture Society .The many gifts Casey brings to the world of Fine Art are attributed to divine inspiration. He has openness and passion for all types of Art.
Casey may be engaged in an oil painting one day, and found working three dimensionally in clay the next. His life long work reflects his primary interest in the physical human form. Casey's strong drive for exploring and depicting Native Americans of the old west, and his spiritual beliefs are found in most of his works.
Casey's natural born interest is in human anatomy with focus on figurative sculpture, creating such realistic detail that the viewer can actually connect on a personal level with feelings the artist has captured, whether it be mood, anatomy or individuality.
His work is seldom idealized; every muscle or draping roll of fat is important because of what it communicates. On some level Casey's work may invite the viewer to confront their own personal feelings about physical beauty, an on another more important level, each piece is a statement about what it is like for our Being to experience human form.
Casey states "I succeed when I cause my viewer to feel an emotion, whether spiritual or even a joyful chuckle. On a deeper level, I know my work is a physical manifestation of my emotional state when I create . . . . I thoroughly enjoy my life's purpose and the ability to bring joy and blessings to others when I can share and allow this gift of our Divine Oneness to work through me."
December 2008
Artist of the Month: Rich Killian
Our November Artist of the Month is another transplant to the Mesquite area from colder climes. Rich Killian has been a Mesquite resident since going on “permanent vacation” in June of 2006.
Killian was born and raised in Spokane, WA where art was always a part of his life. In high school he was often involved in the Art Club and in theatrical productions. Following graduation in 1969 Killian attended Spokane Falls Community College with art as his major. He received his art degree in 1971.
During his time at the S.F.C.C. Killian met Trish, the love of his life. They were married in February 1972. The Killian’s have one daughter and one granddaughter who still call Spokane home.
During his time in college Killian was actively involved with community and college theatrical productions both behind the scene and on the stage taking several small parts. However art was always his first love. He has fond memories of doing quick three minute pencil sketches of the cast members in period costume between acts backstage.
From 1976 to 2006 Killian worked as a teamster. In 1992 he started a business doing irrigation and landscape design while continuing as a teamster. In 2004 he sold his business.
Now days you will find Killian doing the art he has always loved. He does watercolor and enjoys taking photographs of the beauty around him. He plans on expanding to other mediums such as oil and acrylic in the future.
In July of 2007 Killian became a member of the Virgin Valley Artist’s Association where he enjoys the friendship and artistic support of the other artists who call Mesquite home. He loves living in such a diverse and geographically rich area.
November 2008
Artist of the Month: Mary English
Potter Mary English is November’s recipient of Artist of the Month.
English’s first adventure with clay happened as a young girl at a place named “The Craft House”. She started with pinch pots and coiled bowls. (one of which she is still using in her home) She expressed her creativity when her family was young by doing sewing, macramé, quilting and baking which took up a lot of her time. A lot of her artworks went to the bazaars for her church, United Methodist.
English and her parents started Holliday Print, a printing business, in 1982. They ran and expanded their business for the next twenty three years. In the later years they added a gift shop where they sold “Serve International” fair trade gift items from around the world. She also began Moonwolf Studios, an on-line business featuring posters, incense and gift items.
English was born and raised in Northern Utah. She moved to Mesquite about three and a half years ago after graduating from Eagle Gate College as a Medical Assistant. She began working with Dr. Habib and the staff a Virgin Valley Medical. Curremtly she works with the wonderful people at Mesa View Regional Hospital.
At the Mesquite Fine Art Gallery English met Kathleen and Harlo Birkholz and enrolled in their wheel thrown pottery class. From there, it’s been so much fun creating many different pieces of art with clay. She likes to go “out of the box” with her work, enjoying the many types of clay, different colors and textures, both large and small pieces with each creation is a one of a king.
Putting together a studio in her home has been a challenge but yet a very rewarding experience. Art and music has always been an important part of her life. She is thrilled to be doing something she loves in such a beautiful place as Mesquite, Nevada.
English has two beautiful daughters, two sons-in-law and two terrific grandchildren. Her daughters are also very talented young ladies both in pottery and in music.
October 2008
Artist of the Month: Bernice Evans
Bernice Evans is a charter member of the Virgin Valley Artists Association.
She is a survivor in life, and more importantly, she came to art later in her life, which proves the point: it’s never to late to try something new, or something you have always considered not to be one of your strong points. Who knows, you may be really good at it, as is the case of our honoree this October.
Bernice Anna Wiebe was born in Aberdeen, Idaho on 14 October, 1916. She grew up there and completed her schooling, graduating from Aberdeen High School as Valedictorian of her class. She attended college at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho where she acquired a teaching certificate. She became a music teacher in Rockport, ID for two years and in Shelly, ID for another three years.
By then, Bernice had enough of teaching, so her father, who was a banker, helped her secure a job at the Walker Bank in Salt Lake City. About a year later United Airlines was looking for someone to do auditing for the passenger agents. A bank employee recommended Bernice for the opening. She soon filled that position for both United and Western Airlines.
That was a good move for her, as she soon meet a young man, Cecil Evans, who was a Clearance Officer, clearing private and small planes to fly out of the Salt Lake City Airport. Bernice married Cecil in her home town on 25 June, 1943. They were married for fifty seven years and raised two sons, Dix and Bill, and one daughter, Lynn. Her son Bill has a daughter, Audrey Evans, who is a senior at Beaver Dam High School.
A couple of years after Bernice and Cecil were married they started their own business, Evco House of Hose, selling industrial hose. Eventually they had offices in several western cities. Bernice became the business’s bookkeeper.
In 1976 they purchased land in Beaver Dam, AZ and in 1986 they decided they liked the climate and the area enough to become permanent residents.
Bernice began creating art while still living in Salt Lake City. On a whim, she took an art class taught by her friend, Jane Swenson, a very accomplished artist in the area. Bernice believed that she had no talent beyond stick figures. Her first painting was a traditional still life. The results surprised her and delighted her teacher. Soon she was doing landscapes and some portraiture and was thoroughly enjoying the whole process.
After moving to Beaver Dam, Bernice began using watercolor, inspired by the magical colors and shapes of the desert Southwest. She also loved the ease of clean-up with the watercolor medium as opposed to oil.
Not only a founding member of the VVAA. Bernice may be the oldest! It is fitting that October is the month she is celebrated as the Artist of the Month because on October 14, she will be a beautiful, 92 years old. Which again proves the point: art will keep you young and you are never too old to learn something new.
September 2008
Artist of the Month: Karlynn Glieden
Karlynn has enjoyed art in one form or another all her life. For example, for over 21 years she designed and created gift baskets and packages for corporate clients in Utah, California and Nevada.
Her adventures in watercolor began when a friend talked her into taking a class with a recreation department in California. While she enjoyed the medium, it was very frustrating. However determination won out after many classes and seminars.
What was once frustrating is now pure joy. Just see the magic happen when the watercolor explodes on paper, bringing excitement and adventure to her paintings. Karlynn's focus is on the color and texture she can achieve with watercolor.
Pottery is a new medium for Karlynn. After many years of admiring and buying from other artists, she is now creating her own pottery peices. Karlynn exhibits and sells her paintings and pottery in art galleries and shows in Nevada.
She is a member of the VVAA, SUWS and MVAG.
August 2008
Artist of the Month: Carolyn Chuatiuco
Carolyn wanted to begin by saying that at the age of 34 she looked just like Marilyn Monroe and was offered numerous parts on the stage and screen. But then she confessed that there was no truth to the statement.
So, instead we begin her biography with her understanding of the elements of art. They include
color, texture, light and design. Carolyn believes in taking these elements from nature and
surrounding herself with them. When she begins the search for a new home, Carolyn looks for
a location with a view that includes mountains, water, or both. These elements of creation have
both an inspiringand a calming quality, and were certainly evident during the sixteen years she
lived in Hawaii.
When considering interior design, she applies color to the walls, and keeps the furniture in a neutral palate.This proved to be especially efficient as she has decorated 13 homes while moving between Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, California, Florida, Nevada and Hawaii. These moves included raising a daughter, Gretchen, now living in Seattle, and a son, Richard who resides in Rockville, Maryland, and career changes from teaching to
banking to the timeshare resort industry, where she thoroughly enjoyed sales operations management.
Efforts in this developing field earned her two national Gold “ARDY” awards from the American Resort Development Association – in 1993 for Customer Service and in 1997 for Project Management. And the best part is that an article
in a timeshare resort/travel magazine led her to retire in Mesquite in 2005. Returning to the subject of the elements of art, Carolyn believes it’s important to see the ways in which texture affects color. For example, the nap of a piece of cloth will subtly change the intensity of its hue.
She has always enjoyed working with fabric – from the time her grandfather gave her a sewing machine to make doll clothes, through the days of making clothing for the family and pillows and drapes for her home, to her current efforts at quilting throws and wall hangings and using fabric strips to create unique designs for wall art and greeting cards.
Her grandfather, an amateur photographer, prompted another form of creativity when he taught her to enlarge and develop photographs. Then, many years later and just before she retired, her son gave her a digital camera for Christmas, and she was off on a quest to photograph the color, texture, light and designs in nature.
Carolyn has included examples of her wall art and fabric art greeting card designs in her exhibit, as well as a quilted wall hanging. Her photographs include a series titled "Winter in Zion" and a second series titled "Blooms, Bees and Bugs."
Carolyn says “Fabric arts can be made in the company of others or in quiet, contemplative moments. Having a
camera takes you to wonderful places with family and friends. Who could ask for more?
July 2008
Artist of the Month: Gordon Pugh
Pugh's medium is the common #2 yellow school pencil. What he can create with that humble tool is truly amazing.
As a kid, I liked to draw,” states Pugh. “Most drawings were of hot rods.” Like many that start out with art as a
pastime in their growing up years a time comes when real life moves in. Such is the case with Pugh.
After graduation from high school Pugh put away his pencils, went to college, then spent the next forty-one years in various managerial positions with Blue Cross-Blue Shield in Salt Lake City.
Pugh tells us, “After my retirement in 1996, and subsequent move to St. George,
Utah in 2000, I again began drawing as a hobby.” He continues, “My loving wife then
decided that we needed a home with a studio. So, in 2002, we moved to a larger
home with a studio and when I was not drawing I was buying art supplies. I tried
painting and pastels.”
In 2003 Pugh enrolled in art classes at Dixie State College where he
was encouraged to continue his “hobby”. He learned much and refined his techniques.
Now days Pugh spends most of his time drawing but he also enjoys painting with acrylics and his new pastels.
With all the art he has created he has filled the homes of his four children, four brothers, one sister, his neighbors and some of his doctors. If not he states the stack of pictures would be twenty feet high.
“I draw and paint only because it’s fun. There is no “message” in my pictures.” Pugh has discovered the secret to being an artist. Art should be done because of the love of it.
June 2008
Artist of the Month: Marcia "Koko" Kokoczka
"Koko's" art is imaginative, innovative and beautiful.
Marcia “Koko” Kokoczka comes to Mesquite from Jackson, Michigan were she was born and raised. She spent her entireworking life as an employee for the local Jackson power company. After thirty threeyears of service she retired. And during those thirty three years Koko andher family vacationed every year in the west, including Wyoming, Colorado and Nevada.Throughout those travels the family decided that the west was for them.
While vacationing in the west, Koko developed an appreciation for and an interest in pottery.
And as she purchased and enjoyed other artist’s work, she felt a desire begin to grow in her
to someday try it herself. In 1993 she learned of pottery classes being offered through a local museum in Jacksonand made the decision to develop the skills tomake her dream a reality. Every year from then on she learned and honed the skills needed to make fine pottery. She learned from a gifted teacher who soon became her friend, Mary Humphrey. Like allnew potters, Koko started on the wheel and a love affair with clay was started. Besides the wheel she also learned hand building techniques, which became her focal point.
“When I hand build a creation I have something when I’m done,” Koko states. “On the wheel I could end up with
“another” short fat heavy tea bowl and I already had enough of those. But to create a bowl, candle lantern or vase using the hand built method was a pleasant ask because it always turned out. It was a good feeling.”
May 2008
Artists of the Month: Our talented Mesquite area school children and youth
Original, vibrant and imaginative school days student art was displayed throughout the Gallery.
April 2008
Artist of the Month: Katherine Bailey
Katherine Bailey’s accomplishments read like an entry in Who’s Who.
As a matter of fact it is an entry in Who's Who in America, Who's Who
in the World, the Dictionary of International Biography as well as other non-fee collections.
A list of Bailey's accomplishments include:
Ph.D, 1982 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society and scholarship
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Honorable Mention Bosque Art Gallery, NM 1985. Second Place 1986.
Positive review in Jan. 1987 Manhatten Arts Ariel Gallery in Soho.
Certificate of merit at fourth Annual Holiday Exhibition of Oil Pastel Association, 1994
Honorable Mention at Multi-Media Art Exhibition of OPA, 1999.
General Pencil and Pastel Journal Award at Multi-Media Exhibition of OPA 2000.
Charles Hughes Award at OPA/UPA Edward Hopper Art Center Show 2001
First Place in "Lucky 13" International Small Works Show, Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery, Mesquite, NV 2006.
Bailey states, " In my art I try to capture something of the beauty and mystery of nature. An underlying purpose in
all my work has been the search for unity in a world so often shattered by violent multiplicity. As a miniaturist, I
try to see and re-create "a world in a grain of sand."
March 2008
Artist of the Month: Barbara Withelder
How to describe Barbara Withelder, our Artist Of the Month for March? Some
adjectives that have been attached to her name are, lively, enthusiastic, hard
working, smart, beautiful, creative, and areal hand full. All of those words apply. She
is also a talented artist who takes her art seriously, but not too seriously. She paints
for herself. Her paintings are filled with personal meaning and humor.
Barbara was born in Southern California and spent her early life in Palm Desert and
San Jose where she attended San Jose State University as an art major. Throughout
her working life she has used her art and hasheld many positions where her art dominated. Withelder owned two large deli's.
She says, "I made the best looking meat and cheese trays in the Silicon Valley!!!"
Withelder and her husband, Geno, have four children and six wonderful grandchildren. Their family has always been
important to them and they have remained close. Six years ago Barbara and her husband retired and moved to
Mesquite, where once again she became fully immersed in the art world taking classes, workshops and retreats with many renowned artists. Some of the teachers who influenced Withelder's recent art are Carl Purcell, Roland Lee, Don Andrews, Gian Ferrari, Clay Platner, Char Lang and Sam Lawlor.
Barbara works in oils, acrylics, watercolor and clay, as well as experimenting with mixed media techniques. She has entered many local shows and exhibits and has won several awards. She says, "Art is mostly for enjoyment, creativity and personal fulfillment."
February 2008
Artist of the Month: Gary Vice
Gary Vice has a most unusual background. One you would not commonly associate with art. He was born and raised in Fullerton, California. He joined the army and was honorably discharged from the Army Security Agency in 1975 . He was stationed on Okinawa and in the Philippines working as a Search and Development Intercept Operator. Vice then attended Backster School of Lie Detection. He was one of California's first licenced polygraph examiners.
In 1981 Vice married his best friend, Carolyn. Together, over the years they founded and sold two investigation businesses. Vice then obtained a California Real Estate License where he "dabbled" in sales of existing homes. Next they opened Calico Gold Panning, a conncessionaire at Calico Ghost Town, as well as an antique/rock shop in the Rand Mining District in California. In 1994 Vice began to sell new homes in Indian Wells and LaQuinta, California, selling over $100,000,000 in inventory over seven years. He and Carolyn have most recently moved to Nevada from LaQuinta and he says, "We absolutely love living in Mesquite!"
In 1999, when Carolyn gave Gary a set of oil paints, brushes and canvases for Christmas, he had never thought about art nor had he painted anything other than walls. Not having the time for lessons he enjoyed playing with the colors and textures. Gary used bright colors and bold strokes while trying to make the colors flow and create the right emotions. Now that he has time, Gary has joined the Virgin Valley Artist Association where he can meet and talk with other artists and plans to take a few classes.
January 2008
Artist of the Month: Jan Hanson
Jan enjoys art education and paints in oils and watercolors and enjoys plein-aire painting. (painting out-of-doors) She says, “I just can’t get enough of seminars, workshops and art classes.”
When talking about her art Jan’s face lights up and her eyes sparkle with enthusiasm. In speaking of her love for watercolor she said, “I love Watercolors! I love the way the colors mix on the painting surface creating their own forms and colors. If I can keep a freedom of movement in my own brush strokes, I receive ideas from the flow of the paint. At times, I prefer to paint in half-light to maintain an over view of the values on the painting surface.”
In addition to her lyrical paintings, Jan has also used clay as part of her artistic expression. She uses both the wheel and slab roller to create beautiful pottery pieces. Recently she found another way to express her creativity; she takes an ordinary garden variety gourd and turns it into a one of a kind work of art using pine needles, weeds, sticks, twigs, rocks and other found objects to enhance the gourds.
Jan is an active member of the Moapa Valley Art Guild, a signature member of Southern Utah Watercolor Association as well as the Virgin Valley Artist’s Association, where she will begin her year as the Secretary of the VVAA on 1 January. 2008.
December 2007
Artist of the Month: Jenyth Bramwell
Inspired by the desert southwest, Jenyth's imagination and skills have led her to create Bench art, Driftwood Art, Gourd Art and Wall Art.
Jenyth knows creativity gives her a center of being and plein-air painting a spontaneity. Sometimes, when out painting there is a shriek of a canyon bird fluttering over a rapid to the silence of the wilderness, as a full moon rises over the red, purple and gold of canyon walls, motivating the artist with the need to paint. See light bouncing off rock, the cool life saving wetness of water, reflection and shadow and hues in distant vistas on rugged, raw landscapes.
Jenyth has exhibited extensively in Southern Utah, and is a member of the Southern Utah Watercolor Society. She has also exhibited at the Valley of Fire State Park Visitor Center, the Lost City Museum, and the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery, where she is a member of the Virgin Valley Artists Association.
November 2007
Artist of the Month: Warren Spooner
Logandale resident Warren Spooner began his career as an artist while in elementary school. His talents were recognized by his teachers and he was encouraged to continue developing his skills. His art classes included sessions at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia during his summer vacations.
Warren's family moved west to the San Fernando Valley after World War II where he began his career in the grocery business, as a bagger at the Piggely Wiggely. After a stint in the Navy during the Korean War, Warren returned to California and continued his career in groceries, retiring from the Albertson's chain in Las Vegas after 45 years of service.
Now, with the time to return to art with enthusiasm, Warren enhanced his skills by studying with Roland Lee, Carol Purcell, Max Bunnell, Shari Cannan, John Nieberg and Becky Whitney. He has attended classes at SNCC and various other workshops in the pursuit of perfecting his art.
October 2007
Artist of the Month: Gail Ashdown
Gail's art is representative of the variety of cultures and art styles she has encountered as a Navy wife and globetrotter. Her works display the needlework and sewing skills learned as a girl in her native Hamilton, Canada. Throughout her adult life she added the painting techniques and skills needed for such disparate works as still life and Chinese flower painting. When she settled in Mesquite, she studied with Harlo Birkholtz and added pottery to her list of achievements.
September 2007
Artist of the Month : Gian Ferrari
Born in Corpus Christi Texas, Gian paints representational art, expressed in a variety of mediums.The art has a strength of emotion, created with the use of intense color, light and texture. Gian's fine art experience includes oil, watercolor and hand sculpted/wheel thrown pottery. Her more commercial applications are found in acrylic, through murals and specialty wall surfaces. Subject matter is limited only by the passion felt to communicate with the viewer. Favored subjects are still life with ethnic overtones, and landscapes. Her art quilts are an artistic departure, where vibrant color is paired with original designs and strong themes.
August 2007
Artist of the Month: Pete Peterson
Pete Peterson is basically a self taught artist. He works mostly in oils and acrylics because he finds life in color and texture. An adventurer, he may use an "off the wall" process that talks to him, and to the viewer. He is willing to use unique approaches to tell stories on canvas. You can find his work in both businesses and homes in several states.
July 2007
Artist of the Month: Harlo Birkholder
Harlo has a wonderful sense of humor, and you can see it in the pottery and artwork he selected for his exhibition. He says he's done a lot of "stuff." That "stuff" has been inspired by Aristotle's statement "To be learning something is the greatest of pleasures, not only to the philosopher, but also to the rest of mankind, however small their capacity for it." And although Harlo doesn't take himself too seriously, you will seriously enjoy his works.
June 2007
Artist of the Month: Lisa Huber
This watercolor artist's favorite subjects are animals. She wants to portray their nobility, intelligence and service to man. The most enjoyable part of a piece of art for Lisa is the underlying drawing. She finds drawing a meditative and tranquil experience. She works mostly with a dry-brush technique, but, as with most watercolor artists, there is also the thrill of seeing the magic happens when water and paint blend together on the paper. Lisa has exhibited in the Clayton Williams Gallery in Salt Lake City and other Utah galleries, as well as the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery.
May 2007
Artist of the Month: Our talented Mesquite area school children and youth
Original, vibrant and imaginative school days student art was displayed throughout the Gallery.
April 2007
Artist of the Month: Helen Fitzgerald
Helen Fitzgerald considers herself an abstract expressionist. She describes her art: "Besides the pleasure I get from my work, I paint to stimulate thought and reactions within the viewer. It is for them to see whatever they see. . . . it's personal for each individual whether their view is what I intended or not. A watercolorist, Helen's favorite style of creating art is "wet-on-wet." She begins by immersing the paper in water and then adds wet paint to the saturated paper. She invests passion, intelligence and a seemingly boundless source of creativity in each artwork.
March 2007
Artist of the Month: Juanita Becker
Juanita Becker says painting is just one of her creative outlets. Painting for Juanita is being able to capture a moment in time so others can share in it and appreciate it later. Her ultimate goal is for others to see, through her paintbrush, what she sees. Juanita has been creating in art since childhood and in retirement has found pleasure and success in watercolors. The winner of many awards, Juanita has exhibited in St George, Cedar City and Rockville, Utah, as well as in the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery.
February 2007
Artist of the Month: Bonnie Ligouri
Bonnie Ligouri was born and raised on a small farm in Iowa and has been a resident of Nevada since 1960. Bonnie paints in a variety of mediums,including acrylics, watercolors and oils. Bonnie is currently a student of local painter Clay Platner.