This Saturday evening, from 6:30 to 10:00PM, is the opening reception for painter Zack Jones, photographer Lynda Tygart and potter Dan Toberer.

Zack, a native of Malvern, Iowa, has created a wonderful series of oil paintings featuring the rolling vistas and farm fields of the area. Many include the machinery that is needed to work the land and others simply show the outcome of the labor. Several large pieces with sweeping, panoramic views are included in this show along with some smaller, quiet pieces to compliment the larger works. 'Recent oil paintings' mean just that, as many were still wet (and getting on my hands and clothes) while they were being placed on the walls!
Back in the Omaha area after having lived in Scottsdale/Cave Creek, Arizona for the past eleven years, four of which were spent apprenticing under artist Sergio Ladron Guevara from Mexico City, with whom Zack shared the common belief of Art and Honesty; that painting reflects who you are, a place you have been, a person you have met, or an experience. He believes the story behind the art is what gives it strength, and has painted portraits, landscape, and abstract.

Also exhibiting with Zack is photographer Lynda Tygart. Though Lynda is more widely known for her bromoil process, a rare form of hand-inking photographs that was invented in the early 1900's and became very popular in the 1920's, for this show she has created some fantastic images of the artists and of their studios, using a multi-layered, multiple image technique and then hand tinting each photograph. These are really amazing and very unique, and have a soft, ethereal glow.

Last on the list of feature artists is Dan Toberer. Dan has been in the Gallery since the beginning, and along with his smaller, functional and decorative pieces, he seems to keep making bigger and bigger pots, and 2009 is no exception. An original founding member of the Omaha Clay Works, Dan is currently working from a studio in the HotShops Art Center at 13th and Izard.

The main floor feature show is complimented by a lot of recent work on the mezzanine of the Gallery and also by the music of Michael Murphy. Several artists brought in new work for this rare winter show, when the Gallery is normally closed. Well, it is a time of change, so this year there will be no two month hiatus for the owner, janitor, maintenance crew and employees of the Gallery. (I am sure I do not need to tell you who they are!)

That kind of covers this show, but there are a lot of things happening at the Gallery over the next couple of months, and hopefully you will be able to attend some of the events.

JUST A FEW 2009 HIGHLIGHTS

Something new this year is a Singer/Songwriter Circle, which will take place on Sunday afternoon, March 8th, beginning at 2PM. The afternoon will feature at least eight very talented local musicians performing original songs, with a portion of the ticket sales going to benefit the Cass County Food Bank. Seating is very limited, so get your tickets early so you do not miss this one. The current plan is to make it a yearly event, and the response from the artists has been so overwhelming that we have had to turn many away, not because of a lack of talent, but because of time constraints. This is one that I really hope to see grow in to the future, perhaps even into a two day affair.

More music is in store for April as east coast based singer/songwriter Edie Carey returns to the Gallery for a concert on Saturday evening, April 4th. This was a fantastic show last year and it was a full house, so get your tickets early for this one, too. Edie brought another great performer, Elana Arian, with her last year, and has an opening act set for 2009 that I am sure will be just as professional and entertaining.

Between the music gigs will be the opening of another feature show on the main floor with four well known and respected artists in the Omaha area. Painters Paula Wallace and Jean Mason are joined by potter John Dennison and sculptor Dan Newberry for what is sure to be another great show. All are very professional, very accomplished artists who are sure to bring their absolute best to the Gallery.

The Annual Spring Jewelry Show, Thrown and Blown 6, and more feature shows are coming in 2009. You can check out more dates on the calendar page of the website, and watch for future emails with more updated information as the months roll by.

As always, thank you for your support, and please feel free to forward this to all of your art loving friends, and if you have any questions or would like to contact me, do not hit reply as that will send you to internet no man's land! Email me directly at louisvilleartgallery@gmail.com . Hope to see you Saturday night, STEVE