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Did you know that fifty artists within Silver City Art Association are independents, the largest bloc in the Association? SCAA independent artists work on their own and generally do not own a studio or gallery. Every year at this time, these artists come together to exhibit their works. This year, the exhibition will be held at Light Art Space, 209 W. Broadway.
Thirty-eight artists are represented: working in a wide variety of media, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, fiber, jewelry, assemblage, photography, printmaking, and mixed media. This show promises to be the largest and most eclectic ever!
I asked five independent artists, who will participate in this year’s showcase, to share their creative lives here in Silver City. I asked each artist some questions I’d been asked as an artist new to Silver City: What do you make? Where do you work? How did you learn of Silver City? Has your move to Silver city affected your work? How has SCAA nurtured your art life? These are their answers.
Susan Mach, ceramic artist, moved from California after visiting Silver City several times with a teaching friend who introduced her to the Clay Festival and the arts community in town. She was drawn to the small population; having taught in a sprawling L.A. suburb for thirty years. Silver City’s geography and seasonal changes were also welcomed and have been a positive influence on her life and work.
Settling in Arenas Valley, Susan built a studio to house her ceramic practice. She makes functional and sculptural pieces, using hand built and wheel thrown techniques, and uses several decorating techniques, nearly always the element of texture and often a sense of whimsy. Susan is very appreciative of the comradery, sense of community and support SCAA provides her.
Myron Weckwerth, painter, arrived in New Mexico as a high schooler, and lived in many places throughout the state. He settled here to be closer to family.
The biggest influence Silver City has had on Myron’s art is the Mimbres designs. His paintings reflect Native American symbology and spiritualism. Adapting them to the round surfaces of his home-grown gourds is his latest passion. The weather is important because Myron works outside (spray painting and power sanding), and the long growing season is beneficial to his gourds. This process could take a year: planting, harvesting, drying, carving and painting. His gourds are grown in containers on the north side of town.
Myron feels lucky to have found artists, gallery owners, and the SCAA. They have been very supportive; giving him encouragement and inspiration.
Rhonda Munzinger, jeweler, spent her career in large west coast cities and was attracted to Silver City’s size. She wanted to live in a small town with low traffic; in a way that leaves a very small energy and resource footprint. She lives in a tiny house with a studio near downtown that uses both city electricity and solar energy. She also collects rainwater.
Silver City is a town where one gets to know the arts community, and Rhonda was able to slow down, get closer to nature and concentrate on developing her jewelry ideas. The SCAA artists she has become close to stimulate, challenge and support her. Rhonda’s unique jewelry style begins with meticulously chosen stones and rare pearls which inspire her organic style.
Cheryl Howard, mixed-media artist/poet, discovered Silver City driving from El Paso to Tucson. After spending time exploring, she decided this would be a good place to retire. She liked the museums, art, coffee shops, number of artists and friendly people, university, hospital, and the beautiful landscape. Cheryl settled in the Mimbres Valley, with a spacious studio, gardens, fruit trees and chickens.
Cheryl was making jewelry, which is still part of her practice, but lately she has become drawn to gel plate printing, collage, acrylic and watercolor painting. Cheryl writes poetry and incorporates her writings into handmade books and folded paper projects, often decorated with prints, beads, and found objects. She recently joined SCAA and is getting to know other members who are active in the arts community.
Kit West, printmaker, first heard about Silver City from a customer in the bookstore she owned in southern Mexico. A long journey from there to here, she now lives off grid and works in a tent in the woods near the Gila Forest.
Kit is a printmaker and writer. She makes lino-cut prints, using slow drying acrylics due to New Mexico’s dry climate, and because she likes the coverage and how it looks: not so harsh but softer, when printed. She also uses thin Japanese rice paper with high cotton fiber content. This gives the print a soft, antique look. Lately she is adding poetry, photo transfers and bits of other prints, like collage.
The Silver City Art Association’s Fearlessly Independent Showcase takes place Thursday, Nov. 14 to Sunday, Dec. 1. Meet the artists at the opening reception 5-7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 15 at Light Art Space gallery, 209 W. Broadway. Prizes will be awarded, and refreshments served.
About Kathleen Koopman: Kathleen is an artist combining found object assemblage and alternative photo processes to create mixed media works of art. She has lived in Silver for almost three years, and is an active member of the Silver City Art Association, serving currently as Chairperson of the Independent artists sector of the group, and she is represented by Light Art Space gallery in Silver City.
