Russ Thayer
What Now!
Fredericksburg, Texas

Two of the newest installations at The Sculpture Ranch are granite monoliths by Russ Thayer.

"To me, it isn't the role of Art to embody the cultural moment. It is Art's challenge to reflect the moment in the mirror of history, to articulate a context in which the moment can be seen for what it is within the larger panorama of life and the state of civilization. This isn't to say that artifacts should be essays or exercises in didacticism. The artifact should be a seemingly organic evocation of the artist's depth and breadth of awareness. It should be a testament to the quality of that awareness and the artist's ability to keep what is, and has been, fundamentally important to humanity a part of our consciousness."

In addition to working with stone, wood, and clay, Russ Thayer has written books, and continues to write. To view more of the artist's work, visit: http://www.hauenart.com/

Colleen Gardner
Beauty and the Buzz...The Art of Beekeeping
Selah Ranch Preserve, Texas

Colleen Gardner, who has worked at the Bamberger Ranch Preserve for more than six years, will present “Beauty and the Buzz”, about the art of beekeeping. Gardner earned her undergraduate business degree from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, and just completed her masters in environmental studies from the geography department at Texas State University in San Marcos.  Immediately prior to her employment at Bamberger ranch, Colleen served more than two years in the US Peace Corps in Niger, West Africa.
 
Colleen's presentation will be on beekeeping and the importance of pollinators not only in regards to our natural environment, but also in regards to domestic agriculture as well. She will demonstrate beekeeping and honey harvesting in general, and discuss the intricate relationship between native bees and flora throughout the United States.
 

Nan Blake

A Life in Photography
Texas A&M University

Nan Standish Blake, who currently teaches at Texas A & M University in the Department of Architecture, has been shooting images her entire life. Her presentation, aptly titled “A Life of Photography,” will show slides of her work through the years.

“For me, photography is a line of communication that starts in the eye, is drawn through the heart and mind, and then lands on a bit of the world that is framed in the mechanics of a camera", she said. "It is as vast as the universe and as small as a blink of an eye.”

Musical Interlude
The Harper Mudsliders!
Jerry "Gomez" Conway, Karen Conway, Jan Zenner, and Russ "Rusty" Cox
Harper, Texas

The Mudsliders from Harper – a lively musical group including Jan Zenner on the fiddle, Karen Conway on drums, Rusty Cox on guitar and Jerry Conway on banjo and guitar, will provide an exciting musical feature.

Jerry “Gomez” Conway, is a born again Texan since 1964.  He is a retired state vocational rehabilitation counselor living in Harper, TX, and a Mosel Road resident for the past five years. He has a long history of musical dabbling.  He is the Mudsliders’ “Triple Threat” as he can neither play, nor sing or entertain.  He has played a stringed instrument since 4 ½ years of age. 

He still sounds pretty much the same.

Karen “Katastrophe” Conway, was born in Houston, Texas where as member of the Bellaire Belles, a girls’ marching team, she played the bugle and picked up and put down the drums several times.  The Mudsliders agree that as a retired teacher, Karen can count the beats and has zero tolerance for the other members of the band. 

Karen would rather be riding her horse.

Jan Zenner, an investment advisor and financial planner raised in Portland, Oregon, was exposed to music at an early age and grew up with choir, classical violin, guitar and piano. After choosing choir over violin in high school, Jan’s “fiddle” sat quiet for 35 years. After moving to Texas and at the suggestion of a fellow musician, Jan picked it back up and started fiddling around.

When asked, she replies, “The best part? I can stomp my feet and dance around while I play!”

Russ "Rusty" Cox, guitar, singer and story teller. More information forthcoming.
 

Poetry Interlude
Peter Barbour
Johnson City, Texas

An Arts Encounter poetry feature begins with Peter Barbour, who lives in Johnson City and is currently writing novels.