Mountainair, NM – Cibola Arts Gallery introduces two new artists to its gallery: Tomas Wolf and Dee Melaragno.
Dee Melaragno and her husband Jerry retired from their jobs in Rhode Island in the spring of 2006 and moved to Mountainair. Dee, a registered nurse who worked as a nurse-consultant in an east coast law firm for about 20 years, decided she would try her hand at painting. She joined Mountainair’s Art Etc.* painting group a year ago and started a new phase of her life. Under the tutelage of artist Shirley Simmons and with the advice and support of the other artists in the group Dee is learning oil painting and developing her unique style. She fell in love with the colors of New Mexico as well as the local Native American rock art and incorporates these elements into her whimsical style.
Tomás Wolff is a clay and mosaic artist and arts educator who has recently returned to New Mexico. Previously, he worked for more than 25 years as a consultant to many schools and social-service agencies in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. There he received numerous grants from federal, state and local governments and non-profit agencies for community art projects—primarily collaborative mosaic murals involving community artists, inner-city youth and adults. He also taught classes in clay hand-building and mosaics at his studio, Easton Clayworks, and at numerous schools and community agencies.
“As a part-time artist I recognize how the creative process in all its forms, from writing, dancing and the fine arts, can provide good outlets for many people, and not just for those struggling through difficult times. Art, I find, is a means to finding our “center” or essential being and helping us to cope with our feelings and insecurities in a positive way. We are letting go and enjoying the moment, and having fun, too!”
When not involved with community projects, he can be found in his studio creating raku and sawdust-fired pottery. These are mostly hand-coiled vessels decorated with colored slips and sgraffito, as found in ancient cultures around the world.
His pottery has been exhibited at the Allentown (Pa.) Art Museum and at galleries in New York City and Philadelphia.
Tomás attended the University of New Mexico and New Mexico Tech during the 1960s. He received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Hawaii, where he was stationed while in the U.S. Navy, and a master’s degree in education from Yale University. He currently lives in Mountainair, New Mexico with his wife, Deborah.
Cibola Arts Gallery is located in downtown Mountainair and open Tuesday through Saturday. Call 505-847-0324 for more information.
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By Karen Smith
Steppin' Out representative
In the autumn of 2006, a small group of adults approached artist Shirley Simmons asking to help them learn to paint with oils. She graciously began working with them on a weekly basis. Since then the group has continued to grow.
There is no charge for instruction and a lot of different exercises are offered to encourage the participants to become more proficient in oil painting techniques and design. Professional and non-professional artists attend, along with beginners.
The group is officially called Art Etc. and currently has over 20 members on their email list. Attendance is flexible, the environment relaxed, the room often filled with smiles and laughter.
The Methodist Church in Mountainair has been generous in supporting this groups efforts by providing them with a room for their sessions. Attendees contribute to help cover utility costs and materials, keeping overhead low enough to allow for anyone wanting to participate to attend. During summer months, classes are held alternate Thursdays mornings, starting at 9:30am.
This year The Manzano Mountain Art Council provided funds to support four artists workshops; Shirley Simmons on Basic Oil Painting & Color, Addie Draper on Luminous & Poetic Pastels, Kathy Baur on Using Natural Elements as Inspired by Early Native Americans, and Celeste Simon on Using Found Objects and Layers to Develop Visual History.
These workshops broadened the scope of the classes. However, the purpose of Art, Etc. remains the same, a goal to celebrate the creativity in everyone.
Dee Melaragno and her husband Jerry retired from their jobs in Rhode Island in the spring of 2006 and moved to Mountainair. Dee, a registered nurse who worked as a nurse-consultant in an east coast law firm for about 20 years, decided she would try her hand at painting. She joined Mountainair’s Art Etc.* painting group a year ago and started a new phase of her life. Under the tutelage of artist Shirley Simmons and with the advice and support of the other artists in the group Dee is learning oil painting and developing her unique style. She fell in love with the colors of New Mexico as well as the local Native American rock art and incorporates these elements into her whimsical style.
Tomás Wolff is a clay and mosaic artist and arts educator who has recently returned to New Mexico. Previously, he worked for more than 25 years as a consultant to many schools and social-service agencies in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. There he received numerous grants from federal, state and local governments and non-profit agencies for community art projects—primarily collaborative mosaic murals involving community artists, inner-city youth and adults. He also taught classes in clay hand-building and mosaics at his studio, Easton Clayworks, and at numerous schools and community agencies.
“As a part-time artist I recognize how the creative process in all its forms, from writing, dancing and the fine arts, can provide good outlets for many people, and not just for those struggling through difficult times. Art, I find, is a means to finding our “center” or essential being and helping us to cope with our feelings and insecurities in a positive way. We are letting go and enjoying the moment, and having fun, too!”
When not involved with community projects, he can be found in his studio creating raku and sawdust-fired pottery. These are mostly hand-coiled vessels decorated with colored slips and sgraffito, as found in ancient cultures around the world.
His pottery has been exhibited at the Allentown (Pa.) Art Museum and at galleries in New York City and Philadelphia.
Tomás attended the University of New Mexico and New Mexico Tech during the 1960s. He received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Hawaii, where he was stationed while in the U.S. Navy, and a master’s degree in education from Yale University. He currently lives in Mountainair, New Mexico with his wife, Deborah.
Cibola Arts Gallery is located in downtown Mountainair and open Tuesday through Saturday. Call 505-847-0324 for more information.
*
By Karen Smith
Steppin' Out representative
In the autumn of 2006, a small group of adults approached artist Shirley Simmons asking to help them learn to paint with oils. She graciously began working with them on a weekly basis. Since then the group has continued to grow.
There is no charge for instruction and a lot of different exercises are offered to encourage the participants to become more proficient in oil painting techniques and design. Professional and non-professional artists attend, along with beginners.
The group is officially called Art Etc. and currently has over 20 members on their email list. Attendance is flexible, the environment relaxed, the room often filled with smiles and laughter.
The Methodist Church in Mountainair has been generous in supporting this groups efforts by providing them with a room for their sessions. Attendees contribute to help cover utility costs and materials, keeping overhead low enough to allow for anyone wanting to participate to attend. During summer months, classes are held alternate Thursdays mornings, starting at 9:30am.
This year The Manzano Mountain Art Council provided funds to support four artists workshops; Shirley Simmons on Basic Oil Painting & Color, Addie Draper on Luminous & Poetic Pastels, Kathy Baur on Using Natural Elements as Inspired by Early Native Americans, and Celeste Simon on Using Found Objects and Layers to Develop Visual History.
These workshops broadened the scope of the classes. However, the purpose of Art, Etc. remains the same, a goal to celebrate the creativity in everyone.