Come visit the Betty Gray Gallery in the Sunriver Resort Main Lodge for the Summer Art Exhibit.
Sunriver Resort Lodge Betty Gray Gallery shows the artwork of JM Brodrick, Kelly and Charlie Thiel and Artists of the 12” x 12” Exhibit in the upper gallery as well as artwork by Marjorie Wood Hamlin in the lower gallery. This exhibit continues through Labor Day in September.
Kelly Thiel presents a new series of acrylic paintings entitled ABOUT FACE. The artworks continue her narrative of the female in large scale with a bright new palette. She notes, “Looking back at my feelings, I can see my readiness for a big shift in my work.” The artist identifies several sources of inspiration for the new palette of energetic pinks, oranges and blue – warmer weather, a colorful art retreat on the Oregon Coast, and memories of childhood beach vacations. Theil’s resume lists numerous national and group shows, including invitationals, exhibiting both her ceramic sculpture and paintings. The noted artist leads workshops on both east and west coasts and recently began showing her work in the United Kingdom.
Following her move with husband, Charlie Thiel, and children to Bend in 2014, she and her co-founder opened a new co-working studio, The Wilds. Her personal studio is there as well as studios and workstations for other creatives, fostering the art community in Oregon.
Charlie Thiel began photography studies at community college in Charleston, SC, under the tutelage of an exceptional teacher inspiring students to see the art of photography. Simultaneously, he viewed an article highlighting the world’s most acclaimed wedding photographers. Realizing an excellent creative opportunity, he volunteered to assist some of these noted artists, learning to shoot weddings while continuing his studies. Throughout all, he developed considerable skill, beginning a career in wedding/commercial photography.
Upon moving to Bend, he worked in commercial photography, also pursuing additional business interests. Continuing to “love photography”, Theil readily accepted the opportunity to travel with fellow photographers (of a non-profit studio) to Laos to teach adult students.
Their Laotian students included “two Buddhist monk novices, several women (in a culture not prioritizing educating/empowering women), and other young men, some with families of their own.” The goal was to provide these locals with camera gear, skills and training, assisting them to develop marketable photography skills and the opportunity to create income. All worked in conjunction with a non-profit, public library based in a UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang. With Buddhist monasteries throughout region, each morning at dawn, monks formed a procession though town to receive alms, usually rice balls. Many of these monks used the bordering Mekong River for travel. Tourists crowded much of the monks’ procession, but Thiel found that “by following monks back to the river, I could capture moments which were both everyday and exotic.” Photographs from his experience now appear at Sunriver Lodge through Labor Day in September.
Thiel notes “…having the opportunity to share my photography skills with adult students who crave knowledge and to know that those skills may help them provide an income for their families transformed the trip for me. Not only was I able to absorb the beauty of Luang Prabang, I was able to give something back to people hungry to learn.” The artist’s images from this experience are unique, colorful, and, with the artist’s commentary, endearing.
Also appearing in the Sunriver summer show are some 28 paintings by 11 artists in the 12”x 12” Exhibit featuring unique small works all priced at $250. Also appearing on the lower level of the Sunriver Resort Lodge Betty Gray Gallery are colorful, abstract oil paintings and photographs of Central Oregon by Marjorie Wood Hamlin, reviewed in the June issue of the Sunriver Scene.
Billye Turner curates exhibitions for the Sunriver Resort Lodge gallery. For information, please contact her at 503.780.2828 or billyeturner@bendnet.com. The gallery is open all hours.