Emerging Art Towns

"Racing the Dawn" Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey

Prescott, Arizona, named one of the 100 Best Art Towns in the U.S. (John Villani, The Countryman Press, 4th ed., 2005), offers a wealth of art to the casual browser and discerning collector alike.

Prescott's Fourth Friday Art Walk, held the fourth Friday of every month, features a walking tour of works at 19 local galleries, three museums and two colleges. For more information about this and other art-related events, please call 800-266-7534 or go to www.visit-prescott.com.

“Predators” Les Perhacs 1995, Ed 3 of 3, bronze (18.5”h x 8”d x 5.5”w)

The Art Center at Fallbrook

Discover one of Southern California’s best-kept art town secrets as the Art Center at Fallbrook presents their 14th Annual Reflections of Nature show May 5-6. More than two dozen of the nation’s premier wildlife, landscape, and animalier artists will attend.

DIVERSITY, the exhibition’s theme, defines Fallbrook’s surprisingly strong contemporary art scene, just a short drive from Palm Springs, La Jolla and Laguna Beach.

Save these dates: “Gourd Fine Art Show” (May 20 – June 24), “Galaxy of Glass” (July 8 – Aug 26), “Art of the Equine” (Sept 9 – Oct 28). Details at www.fallbrookart.org.

“Farmers Market” Original Oil 15" X 30"

Located near the heart of the art-centric Cedros Design District in Solana Beach, Cedros Village Fine Art Gallery proudly represents Betty Nance Smith, a signature member of Oil Painters of America, as well as regional artists Joyce Pekala and Toni Williams. Even the common becomes uncommon as Betty Nance Smith shares her love of life through her works. Celebrating life, color and form, her masterful brushstrokes yield glass vases that appear to be touchable, ocean waves that seem to move across the canvas, faces and figures capturing joyful moments. Gallery hours are Wednesday – Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment. For more gallery information and to view works by each of these talented artists, view the gallery website: www.cedrosvillagefineart.com.
 

“Beach buddies” - Pat James Original watercolor - 11" X 14"

Right off Highway 58, in the scenic Southern Sierras between Bakersfield and Mojave, is the small but growing mountain town of Tehachapi, California. Known primarily for windmills, trains and apples, Tehachapi is also gaining a deserved reputation as a prolific art town. CrossRoads Gallery, located in the center of historic downtown Tehachapi, represents the area’s most talented and creative artists, like Pat James, a popular local painter equally skilled with watercolors, oils or acrylics. Anyone who loves discovering new artists and extraordinary works of art – including paintings, photographs, pottery, sculpture and jewelry designs – will be happily and amply rewarded when taking time to visit the up and coming art scene in Tehachapi. www.crossroadsgallerytehachapi.com or www.tehachapiartcenter.com

“Summer’s Song” Gerald Merfeld 16" x 20" - Oil

Take the Frontier Byway, US 96 W, off I-25, near Colorado Springs and Pueblo, to its end and you’ll view the magnificent 14,000 foot Sangre de Cristo range reaching up from one of the last untouched ranching valleys in Colorado. The historic town of Westcliffe features art galleries, studios, quaint gift shops, restaurants, inns and B&B’s; making it a perfect weekend get-away. Over fifty local artists and craftsmen, inspired by the spectacular southwestern and mountain landscapes, show their work throughout the year. Gallery walks, artist workshops, festivals and perfect weather keep visiting artists and collectors coming to this valley time and again. Join us May 19 - June 2 for the annual Sangres Art Guild Artists’ Show at Brookwood Gallery, 211 Main Street. Artist Reception, May 19. For more information visit www.sangresartguild.com.

Bella Creo is the brainchild of Charles and Tami Kegley. After more than 25 years in the art business as collaborating sculptors and goldsmiths, they have brought their contemporary slant home to Boerne. The gallery represents “fine art in all media” – paintings, glass, clay, wood, jewelry and sculpture, as well as a rotating selection of museum quality antique textiles. Represented in museum collections such as the Smithsonian and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Kegleys bring a fresh point of view to bear. Bella Creo, 412 River Road, Suite 101, Boerne, TX 78006 - (830) 248-1919 - www.bellacreo.com

“Beach buddies” - Pat James Original watercolor - 11" X 14"

Boerne, Texas

The historical town of Boerne, Texas is becoming known as the Santa Fe of the hill country by tourists and locals. Fueling that recognition is the Boerne Area Artists Association’s eleventh year as a group of professional artists and galleries with thirty-seven members. Art lovers can choose from all types of media found at the eclectic mix of galleries and studios representing over 100 local and nationally known artists. Visit www.boerneart.com for more information about this artistic oasis twenty minutes northwest of San Antonio.

“Something in the Air” Sandra Van Zandt

Keller, Texas

The Keller Public Arts Board invites you October 6 - 28 to discover an artistic gem in the middle of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex at the annual Brushes to Bronze Fine Art Show and Sale at Keller Town Hall, 1100 Bear Creek Parkway in beautiful Keller, Texas. Brushes to Bronze will host nationally renowned sculptors and painters, including Garland Weeks, Jack Kreutzer, and Ron Cheek, featuring their original work displayed in an inviting setting overlooking picturesque Town Center Lake. For more information, please visit www.brushestobronze.com or call 817.743.4002.