ASU Gammage gallery to feature diverse artworks

Visitors to ASU Gammage March 5 through April 1 will be greeted with a wide variety of artworks in the Cecelia and David Scoular Gallery. Everything from metal, porcelain paining, photography, watercolors, oil and finely detailed pencil drawings will be featured.

The artwork on display comes from Ready for Soho, a group of nine women artists with varying backgrounds; and Herman Zelig Neuberger, who is known professionally as Zelig.

Members of Ready for Soho are Kathy McClure, Bernadette Franklin, Denise Landis, Kathleen Maley, Sandy Tracey, Danis Garman, Loralee Stickel-Harris, Sharon Sieben and DJ Berard.

Kathy McClure has been a photographer since the age of 8. She travels the world with three cameras around her neck, and she shoots 35mm film, both color and black and white.

Bernadette Franklin lived on an island in the middle of the Niagara River until she moved to Arizona in 2005. She started painting porcelain art in her 20s and though she has studied other media, she enjoys painting portraits on porcelain.

Denise Landis was introduced to Pointillism in her first painting class, and today, her technique ranges from dots to dabs as she creates impressionistic work. Landscapes are her primary subjects, with Arizona as her muse.

Kathleen Maley began painting in 2002 because of her love of color. She paints still-lifes and flowers, with roses her favorite floral subject. “I feel I could paint the rest of my life on this most beautiful gift from God,” she said.

Sandy Tracey moved to Arizona in 1976 and began painting “the wonderful images that we see every day.” Her series include “Cactus of a Different Color” and vintage cars and trucks, sometimes placed along Route 66.

Danis Garman became addicted to art with the gift of her first color crayons. Her art teacher in high school, who was a graduate of the Chicago Institute of Art, opened new worlds to her. Today, Garman is still endeavoring to turn out that “perfect” oil painting.

Loralee Stickel-Harris failed art in grade school and stayed away from the subject for many years. When she picked up a welding torch, she knew she had found her medium. Today, she works with steel and copper to create landscapes and abstract pieces.

Sharon Sieben thought about painting for many years, but the time was never right. Then the time came and she began painting in acrylics and watercolor. She recently has done nearly 30 works with a “Day of the Dead” theme.

DJ Berard moved to Arizona from St. Louis five years ago and has had an “interesting time” adjusting to the different landscape here, and the colors of the desert mountains. Since her move, her work has become more abstract and simplified.

Zelig is an accomplished multimedia artist who has practiced art and architecture for more than 50 years. He moved from Illinois to Arizona in 1977 and began creating metal and clay sculptures, watercolor paintings, ink sketches and pencil drawings.

Zelig’s extremely detailed pencil drawings convey nostalgic subject matter, such as a locomotive, subway scene, diners in a bistro, and a jukebox and car from the 1950s.

Exhibit hours at ASU Gammage are 1 to 4 p.m., Mondays or by appointment. Due to rehearsals, event set-up, performances, special events and holidays, it is advisable to call (480) 965-6912 or (480) 965-0458 to ensure viewing hours, since they are subject to cancellation without notice.

Visitor parking is available at meters around the perimeter of ASU Gammage, and entrance is through the east lobby doors at the box office.

For more information, contact Brad Myers at (480) 965-6912.