The Local Creatives network of artists has another exhibition space for the public to enjoy with the launch of the Local Creatives Gallery inside the Mary C O’Keefe Cultural Center at 1600 Government in Ocean Springs.
Offering curated exhibits of original art for sale, the Local Creatives Gallery features a main exhibit of artwork from a selected member of the LC network along with selections of art created by other artist members. With more than two dozen professional artists participating in the Local Creatives network, the array of exceptional art displayed for sale in a variety of media is impressive and priced more reasonably than one might expect for such quality.
And October will mark the final month of the Local Creatives Gallery “$100 & Under Market” where you can gift yourself or someone else a unique and beautiful piece of original art for $100 or under. The only difficult part might be narrowing down your selection!
Featured Artist: SOLANGE LEDWITH of Swamp Girl Glass Blowing
Right now, the featured artist at The Mary C’s Local Creatives Gallery is glass artist Solange Ledwith, owner of Swamp Girl Glass Blowing in Slidell, Louisiana. After years of impressive academic and practical study of the art of glass, Ledwith returned to her birth home of Louisiana in 2010 with a Master of Arts degree from California State University and a great appreciation for her roots.
”It was here that I really began to learn about myself and what is important to me; my love for family and home, and my appreciation for how precious life is,” she said.
The artist feels her time studying in Los Angeles left a lasting impression on her skills and style. “I was fortunate to be able to study with and work professionally with LA’s finest. It was there that I learned to love the delicate art of precision glass making,” she said.
Further skills and knowledge came from summers at the respected Pilchuck Glass School in Washington, where she was exposed to the techniques of talented glass artists from all parts of the globe.
If glass blowing is on your personal bucket list or you just want to enjoy an arts experience that pushes your boundaries a bit, take advantage of one of the Coastal opportunities coming up to make your own glass piece with artist Solange Ledwith. She’ll be at the Bay St. Louis Creative Arts Center on Friday, Nov. 1, and at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Moss Point on Friday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 9.
At both locations, Ledwith will instruct and assist individual students (from age 4 up; by appointment) on how to create-your-own-pumpkin just in time for fall. You can find more information on the Bay St. Louis Creative Arts Center here. Also, you can register for the classes at the Pascagoula River Audobon Center here. You’ll feel invigorated as you create something beautiful of your own using the same glass blowing craft skills and techniques that have been part of our culture for more than 2000 years.
You can learn more about Local Creatives on their Facebook page.