article from Worthington Globe: Northwest Iowa Artisans Road Trip

Greetings!

Today I have a copy of the Worthington Globe article on the A.R.T. exhibit for you. Tomorrow I have to sand walls---no you don't want to know more about that. We'll see if the current piece on the easel can get a few minutes of time as well :)

Later, Cooper

Iowa artists to show their stuff at Nobles County Art Center
BY BETH RICKERS DAILY GLOBE

WORTHINGTON — The next Northwest Iowa Artisans Road Trip won’t take place for eight months — Oct. 4-5 — but local residents can get a glimpse of what the event is all about at an exhibit opening Sunday. The Artisans Road Trip (A.R.T.) exhibit will open with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center, 407 12th St., Worthington. The exhibit features selected works by artists involved in A.R.T. A.R.T. is an annual tour of studios and galleries featuring more than 40 northwest Iowa artists representing seven counties. “A.R.T. invites you to travel Iowa’s scenic byways and back roads looking for one-of-a-kind art treasures,” explains the event’s Web site, http:// artisansroadtrip.com. “Artisans will offer a rare glimpse into creative processes as they demonstrate their craft in personal and unique workspaces.” One such artisan is Karen Cooper of Spencer, Iowa. Cooper moved to Spencer two years ago and participated in her first A.R.T. last October. “Not only do you meet people coming through for the Artisan Road Trip, but you get to network with a lot of artists who you wouldn’t get to meet otherwise,” she said about the experience. On Wednesday, Cooper served as courier for artisans from her area of northwest Iowa, toting their art to the Worthington gallery. In her “car pool of art,” she also brought four of her own works.

BRIAN KORTHALS/DAILY GLOBE Spencer, Iowa, artist Karen Cooper stands between two of her paintings that will be part of the Artisans Road Trip exhibit opening Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center in Worthington.



“I paint with acrylic, all on canvas,” she explained. “I use a gallery wrap-style canvas, so the edges are all finished — no need for a frame. I like strong color. When some people say ‘strong color,’ they mean a small spot of red in the middle. I really like red, so I use a lot of it.” Cooper works with a studio group of artists that meets regularly at the Lakes Art Center in Okoboji, Iowa, and they have models come in and sit for their sessions. “Whether it’s intentional or not, I’m really focusing on figures a lot lately,” she said. “I’m intrigued by all the different ways you can present them.” Other artists participating in the Worthington exhibit are: Dennis Dykema, Spirit Lake, Iowa, landscape paintings; Avis Davis, Spirit Lake, floral and abstract paintings; Hank Hall, Spirit Lake, pottery; William Lieb, Spirit Lake, metal, plastic and wood sculptures; Dan Ruf, Milford, Iowa, photographs; Sharon Sadusky, Jackson, paintings; Sue Biederman, Spencer, watercolor, pastel and pen and ink drawings; Judy Hemphill, Spencer, photographs; Barbara McGee, Peterson, Iowa, contemporary equine and Western art; Connie Hankens, glass sculptures. The exhibit will continue through February. Gallery hours are 2 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 372-8245.

BRIAN KORTHALS/DAILY GLOBE A sculpture by artist William Lieb is framed in front of a painting by Avis Davis, both of Spirit Lake, Iowa. The works will be featured in an exhibit opening Sunday at the Nobles County Art Center.