by Margot Richardson
Where do old, broken guitars go to live out the end of their days? If they are very lucky, Kahlie Sue Pinello scoops up these treasures and lovingly transforms them into fabulous, intriguing works of art. Her wildly creative collections of guitars and various stringed instruments reflect a mind occupied with pattern, challenging norms of what goes together. This artist from Lyons, Colorado says she likes to “go outside the comfort zone”, and “do the exact opposite” of what is expected.

Kahlie Sue’s work will be featured in the Creamery Art Center’s Peach Gallery, and everyone is invited to enjoy a reception for the artist on Friday evening, April 13th, from 6 – 8 p.m. All objects are fair game for transformation by this playful artist. In her bio, she states “I have used beds, tables, mirrors, dog houses, and guitars. Nothing is safe around me. My work is very 3 dimensional and embellished with everyday trinkets that come and go across our lives. To find the beauty in a key and have a meaning for it and use it as a symbol of home, or to relish in the fact that pencils look exactly like roofing when placed just so.”

Each instrument has it’s own personality and theme: a Rolling Stones song inspires a guitar with horns; a large dog biscuit combines with keys and images to create a mysterious, miniature world; Scrabble letters spell out the word “Change” while a caterpillar poses above a Monarch butterfly. Colors and patterns follow the curving, elegant lines and spaces of the guitars. The attention to detail and craftsmanship is impressive; it invites the eye to seek out hidden meanings. Viewers will have fun making up their own stories to fit each creation.

Please join us in welcoming the artist with an evening of home-grown art, refreshments, local wines and micro brews. Open Wednesday 12-6, Thursday- Saturday 12-5. Closed Sunday- Tuesday. We are located at 165 W. Bridge St in Hotchkiss Colorado 81419 phone-970-872-4848 or visit our website at: creameryartscenter.org.

Basic Instruction in Clay Techniques both hand build and wheel $15/class plus $25 per 25# of clay.

Beading with Nancy (CANCELLED) – Saturday, November 12th, 1p-4p Ages 15+. An exciting new class for (beginner) beaders. Learn basic bead & stringing techniques to complete a one-of-a kind necklace. Plan your design using a bead board and create patterns using different colors and bead types. Learn about, stringing materials, bead definitions, colors and much more! Kits included in price, all other beading tools will available. Bring your creative juices for a fun-filled afternoon & leave with your new finished masterpiece! A great Christmas gift! Refreshments will be furnished. $45

Stained Glass: Introduction to stained glass technique – November 12, 19, 26 + December 3, 10, 17,1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Ages 16 +. Learn this beautiful, light filled art form in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. The instructor has over 20 years of experience teaching and creating with glass. Everyone will create at least 2 projects, suitable for gift giving, using traditional lead channel and copper foil techniques. $80 Tools provided, Materials extra.

Swing 1 : Introduction to Six Count Swing Dance – Wednesday nights, November 16, 30, 7, 14 , 7:00 – 8:15pm  Ages 12+ , Learn the basics of swing dance in a fun, friendly, and completely accepting atmosphere. No partner necessary: everyone will rotate to facilitate inclusion and learning quickly and easily. Wear shoes that slide and bring a water bottle. Good exercise, and great for the spirit! $45 for 4 weeks / $80 for 1 Lead and 1 Follow couple / $12 drop in

Lorin and Gary describe their art: “Our artistic styles are reflections of our divergent but complementary personalities. Our work is a combination of decorative and interpretive arts. Much of our work has been influenced by traditional and contemporary Western and Native American cultures.  These ancient motifs, the natural environment, and the pioneer spirit give rise to a wide spectrum of modern themes and applications. Our pieces are sometimes suitable for display in outdoor settings and often make use of natural materials. Some of our favorite pieces are made for hanging in trees.

Most recently, we have explored working in contemporary mixed media, particularly creating pieces intended to be displayed on walls. Concurrently, we continue to create two-dimensional pieces for window spaces, as well as lamp work.”

Please come in and support our artists and these worthy non- profit organizations. Enjoy local wines and micro brews, tasty refreshments in our spacious galleries.

Connie Willett is an accomplished fiber artist and photographer, who moved to the area 16 years ago to escape the cold, bitter winters of Wisconsin. She currently lives south of Crawford, at the base of the West Elks with her husband. Wanting to capture the essence of the American west in her art, she began working with fibers. She is noted for using photos and images on pillows and wall hangings, which are a perfect outlet for her creativity and humor. The volume and variety of her work will attest to her evolution as an artist, and she is looking forward to further sharing her work. Part of her show will be photographs from her trip to Savannah, Georgia last spring.  The photos are from the graveyard “Bonaventure”. They are of cemetery statues, which were created many years ago. Connie is one of the founding members at the Creamery and her contributions to the organization are greatly appreciated.

As a stone sculptor for the past 16 years, Pennie Alexander has incorporated bronze into her stonework. She is inspired by Native American women and interprets them in a stylized manner that conveys their grace and beauty. A love of textures and colors has given Pennie the inspiration to weave clothing, warm throws, and saddle blankets using natural fibers. For this show, Pennie will be displaying her beautiful scarves and hats. For the past 29 years, she has also taken gourd carving to a new level. Using paints, metal, bone, feathers, and beads, she transforms a natural vessel into a work of art. Pennie is a treasured member and Gallery Manager/Co-Director of the CAC and her varied talents have graced the Creamery Galleries for five years.

Hendrika Cegielski uses a variety of media to express her art as well. She paints in oils and pastels, draws with pen and ink, and has been the recipient of numerous awards. Her love for Colorado’s outdoors is reflected in her work, and continues to inspire her with the subject matter that she incorporates into her art. Having worked with fur and leather for 30 years, Hendrika now takes leather and rawhide to a fine art form, as is evident in her pillows and lampshades. She realized that the simple gourd is yet another empty canvas, and uses it to express herself with carving, paint, ink, and natural decorations. Hendrika is a key CAC volunteer and is responsible for rearranging the entire gallery every month and assists in displaying the special shows.