March In The Gallery

SPRINGTIME

Experience the fresh energy of spring with works by five local artisans who bring color and creativity to life. The Tombaugh Gallery at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2000 S. Solano Dr, welcomes Suzanne Kane, Rosemary McLoughlin, Mary Lou LaCasse and Rokoko (A.me and Mitch Alamag) to its March 6th to April 19 show.

Suzanne Kane’s sculptures are inspired by the High Chihuahua Desert. The landscape can appear inhospitable yet it is full of weird and wonderful growing things that look delicate from a distance but are tough and wicked up close. The sculptural plants she makes are informed by this vegetation that endures and survives despite a harsh climate. Her pieces blend welded steel with mid-fire stoneware.

Rokoko was established in 1983 as a business to house the artistic collaboration and creations of A.me and Mitch Alamag. (the name Rokoko, a Japanese word that means ‘of the heart’ and from rococo, a period of art during the mid18th century.) The rococo style was ornate and whimsical. Their art is mixed media, primarily comprised of wood, acrylic paint, ceramic and acrylic resin. Currently they create works on wood and some found objects. They carve, rout, glue, assemble, texture and paint in acrylic, paste and varnishes.

Mary Lou LaCasse creates metal and ceramic garden sculptures. The art work is often whimsical with weldable found pieces of metal incorporated into them. She has been creating this artwork for 12 years. The sculptures are hand crafted and welded from sheet steel and recycled metal ware, metal hand tools, or cutlery. If it can be welded she will incorporate it into the sculpture. The work is often embellished with added ceramics, stained glass, or fused glass that she handcrafts. The ceramics are generally mid-range stoneware clay glazed with bright commercial glazes fired in an electric kiln. She will sometimes add clay faces that have been alternatively fired in a sawdust container for an ancient and organic look.

Rosemary McLoughlin began her narrative paintings inspired by stories told her by her Irish grandmother and great aunt, her father’s sea travels and her mother’s love of color and wimsey. After completing graduate work in painting at NMSU in 1977, she began to put her memories and travels into paintings. In 2018, the glaucoma which had been diagnosed 42 years earlier, finally caused serious vision loss. Grateful for the many years of painting, she is on this new journey of seeing and painting, and discovering what is possible.

Join the artists at the opening First Friday Reception on March 6th from 5 to 7pm for discussion and refreshments. There will be a second reception on First Friday, April 3rd. The gallery is open Friday and Saturday 10am to 2pm and Sunday, 11:30 to 2pm.

Additional information on the Gallery and our scholarship endowments is available at https://www.uuchurchlc.org/gallery/in-the-tombaugh-gallery/.

Gallery Hours

First Fridays, 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Friday and Saturday, 10:00 to 2:00
Sunday, 11:30 to 2:00 Or by appointment (575) 522-7281