Nancy Keating was been working in mosaics for more than 20 years. She loves how the light reflects off the colored glass pieces she uses to create vibrant works of art. But she said she’s about to unveil “one of the coolest things” she’s ever been a part of. Her show is “Fine Art Meets Fun Art,” a contemporary mosaics show at ArtSplash Gallery the entire month of May.
She’s invited three of her top students to participate in this unique show where vintage items are repurposed into colorful art.
“My goal is for my mosaics to express the fun I have in creating them,” she said. “I call many of my art works ‘Fun Art.’ It’s fun to re-purpose discarded vintage items into mosaic art. Could be a toaster, coffee peculator or even an old fashioned phone.”
Her three students with works on display will be Robin Ridge, Jane Acton and Lisa Maxwell. She said each became hooked on mosaics when they attended one of her “Mosaics and Wine” classes at SoHo Cafe in Carmel. Since then, they have taken about every class and workshop she has offered and have been honing their skills at home.
“As a teacher, I’m so proud of their accomplishments,” Keating said. “It’s remarkable how they have grown as mosaic artists in just under two years. They each have developed their own very personal mosaic art style. Lisa excels in the painterly style of glass on glass mosaics. Robin works with detailed fine patterns and creates fun mosaics with vibrant colors. Jane combines lots of sparkle and glitz in her creations with jewelry and reflective materials.”
Keating herself trained at the Institute of Mosaic Art In California and has been a fixture at local art shows and galleries for years.
“I love working with its reflective qualities and saturated colors,” she said. “My mosaics are mainly created from art glass, tempered glass, smalti glass and mirrors. My work is known for (its) vibrant colors, reflective textures and an occasional touch of whimsy.”
The show and sale runs May 1 through May 31. ArtSplash Gallery, 111 W. Main St., is open Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. Prices for work at this show range from $40 to $500. There will be a kickoff event at the May 13 Second Saturday Gallery Walk and attendees can meet the artists.
