Starting Memorial Day Week-end, Hanson Galleries will be closed on Sundays, at both locations, until Fall.
Murano Glass Master: Afro Celotto
November 28 - Jan 9, 2010
We are pleased to be able to open an exhibition of Afro Celotto's current work on Saturday November 28th from11 to 7PM. This will be the last showing of Afro's work in Houston. Because of the world economy, Afro was forced to close his studio in September of this year. The show will continue through the end of the year. For over a thousand years the Master Glassblowers of Murano have taught their sons the art of creating beautiful glass. Afro Celotto is a part of this glass blowing family. Our appreciation of his pieces is enhanced by understanding the skills needed to create each unique work of art. Afro's pieces require technical innovation and expertise as well as imagination Afro has completely mastered the most sophisticated glass blowing techniques. His pieces are new and energetic and his color palette challenges exising boundaries. Afro Celotto was born in 1963 on the small island of Burano, a part of the Venetian island group. Burano is famous for its brilliantly colored houses. Growing up surrounded by this myriad of colors made a lasting impression on the young Afro. To this day he credits the colors of his childhood island as an influence for his creativity. He started working with glass when he was only 14 years old. Even though he is considered a "youngster" is the world of glass, he is recognized by collectors for his technical ability ande artistic expression. In 2000, Afro and two of his friends opened a studion on the Island of Murano. He now felt free to devote his attention and focus to his own artistic aesthetic and unique designs. Afto has taken this ancient art form in bold new directions. Because of the world economy, Afro was forced to close his studio in September of 2009. This exhibition will be the last showing of Afro's work in Houston.
Precious Metal Jewelry
November 21 - Dec 31, 2009
Callie Seymour's love of jewelry-making began when she was a freshman in high school. Her art teacher, having a background in metals, strove to pass on her knowledge of a wide variety of techniques to her students. Here Callie was exposed to the basics as well as more advanced techniques such as lost wax casting and cloisonne'. She continued jewelry-making in college at the University of Wisconson in Madison, although she graduated with a degree in English. Afer graduation she showcased this work in her first exhibition in July 2000 at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library in Illinois. Callie took a detour from jewelry and worked as a flight attendant for two and a half years before being laid off in 2003. Though her days of flying had b een great, she viewed her lay-off as an opportunity to return to what she had always lover
She focused her energies on learning to work with a new material called Precious Metal Clay (PMC). Callie found that PMC was perfect for her designs, and that working with it enhanced pieces that would otherwiase be created through casting or forging. Now all of Callie's jewelry is created using PMC.
PMC consists of microscopic particles of precious metal that are combined with water and an organic binder to make a clay-like material. The clay is sculpted and fired in a kiln where the water and binder burn away and the microscopic particles of metal fuse together. After this fusion is complete all that remains is pure precious metal or Fine Silver (99.9%) as opposed to Sterling Silver (92.5%)
