Backstreet Gallery & Cooperative

Mary Beers - Jewelry - Featured Artist at Backstreet for January and February

Welcome the New Year at a reception for bead artist, Mary Beers, at Backstreet Gallery, 1421 Bay St., on Saturday, February 11th from 3 until 5:00 p.m.

Combining multiple components, Beers loves to create with various beads, metals, seed beads, stones, then weave them into intricate pieces of beautiful and unique jewelry. She uses the various weaving stitches, stringing, and wire work in her creations, but weaving is her favorite.

Beers is mostly self-taught. Her interest in jewelry making began at seven years of age when she was given a kit filled with plastic beads. When she had leftovers from kits, she sought more supplies at bead stores.

To learn more, she researched through books to learn basic techniques. Then at 12, she found the directions from a Native American trading post to construct a loom. With her Dad's help, she did it. From there, she learned how to weave and her creative spirit took over.

From Manila, in the Phillppines, she was adopted and came to live in McMinnville, OR. After marrying, she came to Florence. She says that her greatest joys are her children, 4 year-old Ramil, and 9 month-old Zhade.

After being commissioned to do beadwork and beading classes for her husband's tribe, she was inspired to reprise her own work and designs. She hasn’t looked back since.

In between her family and jewelry designing, she manages to fit in more creative efforts - music and the theater. You may have seen her in the recent production of Cabaret performed at the FEC. She has been involved with music at the Casino and the tribe. She sang at the Florence Festival of Books and often shares her lovely voice at Backstreet Gallery After Hours.

Beers also enjoys the outdoors, cooking and is learning basket weaving in the Native American style.

GALA Reception February 11, 2012 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Backstreet's GALA reception on Saturday, February 11th from 3 until 5:00 p.m. is in honor of Featured Artist Mary Beers. Eat, drink and be merry... making sure to enjoy Mary's full display of unique creations. An array of scrumptious refreshments will be served. Enjoy also the work of 21 other talented local artists. This will be a stop on the Monthly G.A.L.A. Art walk.

Also, 2 winners of the Holiday Dicken's Miniature Display will be attending the reception on February 11th, Jerry Polder and John McMahan, showing some of their art work.

*Jerry Polder works in a variety of media. His winning two dimensional painting used a combination of colored pencil, acrylic and black ink. Dark and light play an important part of Jerry's work.

*John McMahan has worked with wood for thirty years. When turning whatever size piece, he uses regular sized tools and lathe. John uses various kinds of wood, which he turns into more functional pieces.

See article below about the Little Dickens Miniature Show winning artists.

Little Dickens Winners show at Backstreet Gallery in February

Guest artists, John McMahan and Jerry Polder are the featured artists beginning February 7th at Backstreet Gallery, 1421 Bay Street. A reception will be held in their honor on February 11th, 3-5 PM. While these artists won Best of Show for their small pieces in the Little Dickens Miniature Show, this exhibit will surprise you with other pieces of their work.

Jerry Polder works in a variety of media. His winning two dimensional painting used a combination of colored pencil, acrylic and black ink. Dark and light play an important part of his work. So look for some exciting pieces that combine his talents with mixed media.

Jerry has always been interested in art. His teachers in elementary school always commented on his talent. He went on to become a technical illustrator and draftsman, doing illustrations for parts and repair manuals.

For now, Jerry's new creative flair is just a fun hobby. However, with his talent, there's hope that we will see more of his art that breaks away from the technical side of his expertise. You might also see Jerry outdoors, along the beach, hiking, bicycling or using his digital camera.

John McMahan has always been interested in art, appreciating its form and format. He enjoys primitive Indian art. He is an excellent wood worker. His work placed a tiny wine bottle and two glasses atop a miniature table. He has worked with wood for thirty years. When turning whatever size piece, he uses regular sized tools and lathe.

However, John uses various kinds of wood, which he turns into more functional pieces. Their usefulness, though, might include a bit of whimsy- such as boxes with a lid that seconds as a top. He calls these top boxes.

Although very adept at wood working, John's career is in the health care sector creating information systems.

He also enjoys working with glass. In the future we might see some of his glass blowing and hot glass torch work. He says he enjoys the instant gratification this art offers.

The outdoors draws his interest with mushroom gathering and inspires his digital photography. He takes his camera everywhere. Come out February 11th, 3-5 PM. At Backstreet Gallery. Meet the artists and find out more about their art. The table will be set with scrumptious refreshments.

KATHERYN DAVIS Art Book Available at Backstreet Gallery

Backstreet Gallery is pleased to offer The Art of Katheryn Davis, an 11 x 8-1/2 hardcover book chronicling the life and art of a most famous and beloved Florence artist. The high quality, full-color, off-set printing of this outstanding book accentuates the impassioned oils, watercolors and sketches by the award-winning artist.

While her life's work encompasses nearly 2000 works, the book most beautifully presents 250 of her works in its 248 pages, showing Katheryn's striking impressionistic style. The content of the book relates interesting information about her travels to capture life's beauty on location or with live models. It also offers her comments about her life in the art world, 32 years of which were spent in Florence.

The Art of Katheryn Davis is by Katheryn's husband, Leroy Krzycki, who adds richness and insights into her work.

Taking the 20th century technology to the 21st century was accomplished by expert photographer Charles Draper. He worked wonders converting old photos into the high-resolution digital files expected in today's high-tech world, while Debbie Golob and Susan Canavarro also provided assistance.

Katheryn's art workshops were attended by students from a great many places, but those students in Florence feel particularly blessed to have received her guidance and friendship.

Katheryn once said, "Art is a life-long study and I am an eternal student." With this book, she becomes an eternal teacher of art. Be inspired. Come to Backstreet Gallery, 1421 Bay Street, for your copy of this marvelous book!