Arts Crawl boasts variety

Gallup photographer Bruce Schuurmann will open his show, "Natural and Supernatural," at Crashing Thunder Gallery on Saturday evening during the September Arts Crawl. This image, "Emergence," was shot at Bandelier National Park. [Courtesy Photo]

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Native American art, photographic images from the Southwest to the Gulf Coast, paintings by southwestern artists, and music by the Rusty Strings and the Flat Tones will highlight this Saturday evening's September Arts Crawl in downtown Gallup.

Although this month's Arts Crawl has stiff competition from a number of events happening around the local community, West Coal Avenue promises to sparkle with a number of interesting artists and their work.

The House of Lyndon, currently located at 233 W. Coal with People's Photography, will kick off the Arts Crawl with a 6 p.m. opening. Noted Navajo jeweler Lyndon Tsosie will have new examples of his artwork and jewelry on exhibit. The House of Lyndon will be open until 10 p.m.

Yazzie's Indian Art, 235 W. Coal, will also be open early at 6 p.m. Owners Colina and Raymond Yazzie will be hosting Arapaho and Seneca artist Ken Williams, who is known for his very fine Native American beadwork. Williams will be available to talk about his work and may give some demonstrations.

The remaining Arts Crawl receptions will open at 7 p.m.

Billy Dee's Coffee Experience, 601 W. Coal, will continue to feature the work of local artist Jerry Brown. New artwork by Brown will be added to the show that was featured last month.

The Coffee House, 203 W. Coal, will host Cara Sroges' "From Waveland to Wasteland: Before and after images from Hurricane Katrina," an exhibit featuring photographs of Waveland, Miss. Sroges and her husband, Kirk Ashworth, of Fort Wingate, had - until last year - maintained a summer home in Waveland, a Mississippi Gulf Coast community that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. In addition to documenting Waveland's destruction in photographs, Sroges, a member of Rusty Strings and the Flat Tones, will perform original songs about the experience, along with other music written in tribute to hurricane survivors.

The Crashing Thunder Studio, 228 W. Coal, will open a new photography show by Bruce Schuurmann, a well-known local photographer and retired physician. "Natural and Supernatural" features mostly dramatic landscapes from the Southwest. A few images of creative organic forms are included in the show. Gallery owner Milan Sklenar usually keeps the doors open until 10 p.m.

Peshlakai Vision, 206 S. Third St., will be open for Arts Crawl visitors. Navajo silversmith and jeweler Norbert Peshlakai will be on hand to show his new artwork.

Vital Connections, located inside The Frame Shop at 222 W. Coal Ave., will feature the work of its Artist of the Month, Ted Charles. The artist will be exhibiting Charles' pastels, watercolors, and photography. In addition, Vital Connections will be exhibiting a collection of acrylic paintings by three California artists, Ray Lee, Jay Smith, and Matu, and also paintings by Gallup artist Mary Jane Milz. The gallery still has some pixie and fairy figures on exhibit.