One of the North Valley’s largest art galleries, The Finer Arts Gallery, will highlight the works of two Scottsdale artists this month during a special “Art Affaire” artist reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Fri., March 17. International fiber mixed media artist Kristin Kleyer Mangum and glass artist Kathy Nelson are two of 50 artists represented by the unique art gallery, located in Cave Creek’s historic Treehouse building, 6137 E. Cave Creek Rd., next to Big Earl’s.
Kristin Kleyer Mangum travels internationally on what she calls the “ultimate treasure hunt” for the finest pure fiber. She seeks out local fiber shops and farms for pure wools, cottons, and other precious finds, selecting colors that are inspired by the country’s landscape, architecture, and culture. Stitch by stitch, coil by coil, with hand and needle, she weaves her international pure wools around cotton to create earthy, organic sculptural forms. She produces her elegant, tactile work both while traveling and back in her studio. In addition, she hand builds ceramic, wood, and metal structures to incorporate into her fiber mixed media sculptures.
“I have a design in mind, but I also listen to the natural materials, giving them a voice,” Mangum says. “It’s a beautiful symphony of push and pull, leading to a finished result that speaks to you and tells its story.”
Nelson also creates stunning three-dimensional art, only her chosen media is fused glass. Recently retired from the health care field, she spent 25 years using the left side of her brain before she was able to fully tap into her creativity. While traveling to Europe, she was fascinated by the stained glass she encountered in cathedrals and other historic buildings. She began taking stained glass workshops and progressed to fused glass. Her featured work
includes vibrant fused glass wall sculptures, whimsical tabletop pieces, and functional ware.
“The ancient art of working glass has always been an area of interest to me,” Nelson says. “The durability of Egyptian glass represents the lasting quality of glass pieces. How can something so fragile exist for millennia? The play of light in glass intrigues me, and I try to capture that with the work I create.”
Visitors to The Finer Arts Gallery will find diverse paintings, drawings, sculpture, mixed media, photography, glass, wood, fiber, ceramics, jewelry, and other original work. The March featured artists also include fine art photographer Robert Elenbaas and pastel painter Beverly Carlson-Bradshaw. For details, call 480-488-2923 or visit thefinerartsgallery.com.
