Celebrating its fourth anniversary, Istvan Gallery showcases the works of six artists, one of whom new to its space, but certainly not to the metro arts scene: Kristen Vails, the executive director of the Plaza District Association. Approximately 10 of Vails’ acrylic and latex paintings of horses are on display through Jan. 30, 2012.
“I just grew up loving them and riding, and when I went to art school, I didn’t really have time to keep up with it, so I painted them to keep in touch with my passion,” she said.
With her job at the Plaza District Association, Vails usually finds time to paint only on evenings and weekends, but said connections she made through her job led to her art being selected for exhibition.
Other works on display are fused-glass pieces by Rick and Tracey Bewley, including large-scale, backlit, 3-D, conceptual and sculptural pieces; furniture — mostly mid-century-style coffee tables — by carpenter-turned-artist Todd Graham; wall and freestanding metal sculptures with added touches of patinas, paint and acid washes by Dan Garrett; and mixed-media paintings that are both primitive and intricate by Billy Reid.
Istvan Gallery, 1218 N. Western, is open from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information, call 831-2874 or visit istvangallery.com. —Carmen Forman
