Whimsical and western art highlight galleries' Second Saturday event

The Carson Valley Art Gallery Association has lined up events for the Second Saturday in April. Participants can visit all seven galleries in the Carson Valley area: Genoa, Minden and Gardnerville and check out the special activities lined up on Saturday. Some of these activities include:

Whimsical art at East Fork Gallery

The East Fork Gallery Second Saturday Event April 14 will feature the whimsical sculptures of Ann Cameron.

Customers are invited to explore the artist's magical world and learn how she creates figurines known as "woolies" and "whimsies." Using Sculpey clay, Cameron will demonstrate the process from 1-3 p.m. at the East Fork Gallery.

Cameron has been drawing and painting since childhood and is largely self-taught, although she is a graduate of the Famous Artist's Commercial Art Course, has studied under Thelmas Calhoun and nationally known watercolorist, LaVere Hutchings.

She switched from oil painting to watercolors about 20 years ago. A frequent traveler to the Hawaiian Islands, many of her subjects were marine fantasies and tropical themes. Her work was represented by the Good Images Gallery in Lahaina, Maui, and at the Hotel Kamehameha in Kona-Kailua on the Big Island.

For many years she was a portrait artist working in pencil, charcol and watercolor. At present she is interested in semi-abstract experimental art that explores the myth and mysteries of the world. Several years ago she had a showing at the Nevada State Library titled, "Above, Below, Beyond," an exploration of the mico, macro and images of the imaginative mind. Her work is rendered in watercolor, ink, acrylic and collage. Her work can be seen locally, not only at the East Fork Gallery in Gardnerville but at the King Street Gallery in Carson City.

Light refreshments will be served during her Second Saturday demonstration and completed sculptures will be available for purchase.

The East Fork Gallery is located in The Record-Courier Center, 1503 Highway 395, Gardnerville. Information, 782-7629.

Western artist at Artistic Viewpoints

Margo Petterson, a signature member of Women Artists of the West, will be the featured artist at Artistic Viewpoints Gallery and Studio throughout the month of April.

Margo, a resident of Coleville, is primarily a western artist using oils as her medium and painting in an impressionistic style. Her emphasis has been the figure, especially women and children, which she has trademarked as The Feminine West. More recently, she has been recognized for her equine art. She has won many awards over 20-plus years of showing art, including recently received first place in oils at the Horse Expo in Sacramento; best of show at the Western States Horse Expo and second place in the California State Fair. She has shown in galleries throughout California, Colorado, Arizona and Nevada and participated in many shows throughout the West.

A wine and cheese reception will be held in her honor on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m., as part of the Carson Valley Second Saturday event. During the reception, she will be informally demonstrating her techniques and style and answering any questions.

Artistic Viewpoints is located at 1368 Highway 395, Suite B, in Gardnerville. For more information call 783-0633.

-- Artisans International Gallery, 1653 Lucerne Street Suite B, Minden, will be offering complimentary chocolate tarts from Sweetie Pies and free sales tax on any purchases throughout the day. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

-- Art!Rageous, 1685 Highway 395, Suite 5, Minden, will be featuring a demonstration by acrylic artist Ric Rose from noon to 2 p.m. Come meet the artist.

-- Other galleries on the Carson Valley Art Gallery Trail include: Lone Tree Gallery, 1598 Esmeralda Ave., Minden; Minden Fast Frames Gallery, 1613 Highway 395 North, Minden and The Davis Gallery of Fine Art, 2285B Main Street, Genoa. Call 783-0633 for more information on Second Saturday events.