Travel tales - May 2018

​The Beloit Art Center is proud to announce their May show, “Travel Tales”.  The show features the work of Chicago artist, Nancie King Mertz, a Master Pastelist who has been named as one of nine Eminent Pastelists by the International Association of Pastel Societies.  The show features her works in oil and pastels. 

King Mertz has traveled to over 20 countries to paint En Plein Air, finding architecture, landscape and people as inspiration to paint on-site. From Europe to South America, Alaska to Cuba, California to Maine, Niagara to Florida, her work captures the culture and light of that particular location.  Many of the pieces on display are from these travels. Mertz also teaches across the US and internationally and has videos and pastel sets in her name.  Her work is in private, corporate and museum collections and is featured regularly on Chicago-based television. She and her husband, Ron, own ArtDeTriumph & Artful Framer Studios in Chicago. 

In our Bell Gallery, Margaret Hesler Hynes is our featured artist. A sculpture inspired by nature and non-western cultures, Hesler Hynes creates fanciful ceramic totems, garden pieces and animal urns. She is a graduate of Beloit College. 

Both shows open with a reception on May 4th from 5 pm to 8 pm.  The reception is free and open to the public. King Mertz will be on hand to discuss her work as well as Hesler Hines. The work of both artists will be for sale with 30% of the proceeds going to support the Beloit Art Center. 

Additionally, at the opening reception we will be announcing the winner of our logo contest. Thirty-four conceptual logos were submitted for the contest. After serious consideration, the field was narrowed to ten ideas and then further reduced to the top three.  The final selection will be announced on May 4th and unveiled to the public. The Beloit Art Center is located at 520 E. Grand Avenue in downtown Beloit.  The King Mertz and Hesler Hines shows will continue through May 24th.  The Center is open Monday from 10 to 2, Tuesday through Friday from 10 to 5 and Saturday from 10 to 3.  The venue is free to the public.

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