April 7 - May 3, 2012
Opening Reception, Saturday, April 14, 5 - 8 p.m.
Smooth Jazz Sounds by Theresa Grayson

Artist's talk 6:30

Houston, Texas (January 30, 2012) – Archway Gallery presents Umbrian Landscapes featuring works by watercolor artist Sylvia Cameron. The exhibition will be on view April 7 – May 3, 2012.

The artist will be on hand to visit with guests during the exhibition opening reception on Saturday, April 14, 2012 from 5 – 8 pm at the gallery.

The exhibit features the beautiful landscapes of Umbria, Italy, depicting the grand villas, hilltop towns, olive groves and architecture.  During three trips to central Italy in the province of Umbria, Cameron was captivated by the beauty and charm of the area. While there, she would make daily trips to the nearby hilltop towns to photograph, sketch and paint.

Cameron’s paintings articulate the unique atmosphere of the towns she visited and serve as a kaleidoscope of her memories of the scenes that captured her fascination. “I think it is the light and shadows that so captivated me,” explains Cameron.  “I enjoy trying to get the details as close to reality as I can.”

Cameron’s technique includes sketching her plan onto watercolor paper and applying layers of washes to build up rich surfaces.  She progresses to darker and darker values to capture the deep shadows, making the colors even brighter. Remembering that there are no lines in nature, only value changes, she incorporates details to give her subjects the realistic touch for which her paintings are so well known.

Cameron, a long time resident of The Woodlands, Texas, has an avid interest in depicting the world around her, whether it is the people she has encountered on her travels or the natural environment in her own back yard. She is able to capture the rhythm in vivid colors and almost photographic realism. Her ability to accomplish this in watercolor, which is traditionally thought to be pale and fluid, is a triumph she enjoys.

After graduating from the University of Houston with an Art Education Certificate, Cameron obtained her masters in Art Education from Sam Houston State University. She taught art in both elementary and high school for eight years. During this time, she pursued her interest in pottery, sculpture, watercolor and photography while traveling and honing her skills in art classes and workshops. Most notable of her instructors were Polly Hammett and Virginia Cobb.

She went to Umbria, Italy to attend workshops at La Romeda Art School. While there she visited many hilltop towns, some dating back to the fifteenth century , spent countless hours sketching, painting and photographing the ancient towns and enjoying the local food and wine, all of which inspired her current exhibit, Umbrian Landscapes.

Sylvia Cameron is presently showing her work in two local galleries - in Old Town Spring at The Garden of the Dragonfly and in Houston at Archway Gallery. 

Archway Gallery is pleased to announce its newest artist Paula Haymond.  Her wooden carved sculptures are amazingly detailed and colorful.  She strives to create movement through texture, color and often mystery.  The illusions of some of her works bring an impression of some other type of material such as metal or ceramic.  She succeeds in creating the urge to pick up the piece and really relate to it, to feel the texture and see the details up close and bridge the connection between the viewer and the sculpture.

Archway member, donna e. perkins, will be holding court at her studio as part of the open studios at Art Square Studios, 2711 Main @ Dennis.     Artist's studios, galleries, complexes and collectives will be open for you to view and purchase artwork and see compelling installations, mixed media and performances.  Come enjoy some of Houston's creative visual and performing arts environments  and be a part of Midtown's growing art community.    The event is this Saturday, April 14th, 12 to 5 pm. For more info go to www.midtownvisions.com   Parking for donna's studio tour is in the lot on Dennis at the Art Supply. 

Archway members Liz Conces-Spencer and James Myres along with Mother Dog Studio artist Kevin Cromwell are part of the 42nd Annual Houston International Festival celebrating Argentina.  They will be one of the booths represented in the Chevron Living Museum - Buenos Aires Street Scene.  Their unique paper wares will be available for sale during the festival. The location on the fairgrounds is the McKinney and Bagby St. intersection, in front of the H-E-B Cultural Stage. Dates are Sat. & Sun. April 21-22 and 28-29.  Hours are 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. For more info about the festival and early ticket purchases go to www.ifest.org/information/ 

Anita Nelson is a finalist for this year's Hunting Art Prize.  The Hunting Art Prize is historically the most generous annual award in North America for painting and drawing with an only and first prize of $50,000.  109 artists from across Texas were selected to move on to the final round.  The piece that was chosen, Dog With Short Tail, will be at the invitation-only gala to be held on April 28th at which the winner will be announced.
For the complete listing of this year's finalists and their accepted works click here.

Jim Adams took a First Place prize and an Honorable Mention at this year's Art League of Fort Bend's Spring Show held on March 3rd.  For a complete listing of all the winners and photos of their works click here.  Jim is also proudly showing in galleries in Galveston, Rosenberg, Tulsa (OK), Manhattan and Lawrence (KS), Kansas City, Jefferson City, Columbia and Springfield (MO).

 Trudy Askew, donna e. perkins and Kay Sarver will be part of the group show at Buchanan Gallery located at 220 25th St. in Galveston.  The opening will be Saturday June 2nd, during ArtWalk. For more info go to www.buchanangallery.com

Veronica Dyer and James Myres have new pieces at Galeria Regina.  The opening reception for this month's showing of  Jane Ewen's "Prima Vera" exhibition is Saturday April 14th, 6 to 9 pm.  The show runs until April 29th.

The gallery is located at 1716 Richmond.  For more info go to  www.galeriaregina.com or call 713 523-2524.

An open invitation is extended to all sculptors and 3D artists to become part of this new interactive and supportive group.  The main objective is to open up communication and possibilities in the public and private collection domain.  It also intends to exchange technical and creative ideas. 

Your fearless leaders in this new endeavor are Archway Gallery's own member Andrea Wilkinson (aclayworks@yahoo.com) and Nell Gottlieb (nell.gottlieb@gmail.com). 

Please contact them for future dates and with your thoughts and ideas about this new and creative collaboration.

We are proud to announce our Fourth Annual Juried Exhibition for 2012.  This year's partner is ARTreach.  This organization supports the development, funding and delivery of specialized art programs and services to under-served populations including children at risk, the elderly and disabled in Fort Bend, Harris and Walker counties. Programs are developed with many collaborative public entities to support a successful outreach to neglected populations.

This year's jury process has changed to reflect the similar process as that of  The Big Show at Lawndale Art Center.  The artist must deliver the actual artwork(s) with their entry fee to Archway Gallery on July 2nd or 3rd, 10 am to 6 pm.

This year's juror is Julie Farr.  She is the Executive Director of the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.  She was trained as a fine art photographer and has a wide range of past professional experience.  Ms. Farr currently participates in the Texas Commission on the Arts as well as the Visual Arts Review Panels and the Program and Services Committee with the Houston Arts Alliance.

For a prospectus please go to our website to print one or stop by the gallery to pick one up. 

Archway's own donna e. perkins is once again and faithfully leading this month's Archway Readers.  This next gathering will be held on Thursday, April 12th, 6 to 8 pm. Donna has led this group of local journalists, writers, playwrites, and poets for many years and Archway has gladly hosted the events.  The readings are open to the general public for the creative types looking for an audience; and those that want to be part of the audience to hear first hand some of these creative types in their community.   For more info contact Donna at donnaeperkins@att.net

Archway Gallery's Trudy Askew will be this month's premier artist exhibition. Her bigger than life images portray emotional and mysterious subject matters using bold colors.  Her somewhat surreal portrayals challenge the viewer to resolve the ambiguities of truth and meaning.  Mark your calendar for the opening reception on Saturday, May 6th for this special event.