The Arts Council
The Arts Council is a group of talented artists who not only display their own works on a rotating basis in our parish hall, but also reach into the community to offer exhibit space to local artisans. The exhibits are generally six weeks in length and have been a variety of works from oils and watercolors to statuary and hand-carved items. Visitors are warmly welcomed. For viewing hours, call 480.451.0860. For more information, contact Claudia Smith.
St. Anthony Arts Council Presents
Vivian Dy Gordon
“Each of us has a calling, something unique to contribute to the world, something valuable to share . . . “
—Barbara DeAngelis, PhD.
—Barbara DeAngelis, PhD.
Vivian Dy Gordon has had several valuable “callings” in her life: business management, software engineer, the lure of nature with all that it offers, and last—but certainly not least—the love of, and need to perfect her natural ability as an artist. She’s achieved all of them.
Born is Manila, Philippines, Gordon acquired a BS in Business Management, and ran the family business until her siblings were old enough to take over. From there, it was on to Chicago, where she acquired a MS in Computer Science at Illinois Institute of Technology. She became a software engineer, specializing in developing C code for devices and networks. (Your smartphone is running on a C-powered kernel.)
Gordon states that she had always been interested in art, so while in Chicago, she began taking classes at the American Academy of Art. Then, upon moving to Arizona, she began classes at Scottsdale Artists’ School. She goes on to say that she is “mostly self taught, from reading art books, looking at art, and (sometimes) listening to the instructor.” She looked and listened well; her paintings are beautiful evidence of this.
Gordon’s “calling” and love of exploring nature and watching wild animals is alive and well. She shares these exploits via blogs on her artist’s site. She writes: “I have always wanted to return to Yellowstone Falls, (in Yellowstone National Park) even more when I heard that a rainbow is predictable in early June, between 9:30-10 am at Artist’s Point. By 9:15 am, I staked my spot. I finally got my rainbow.”
Gordon retired from software engineering in 2017 to devote time to her oil painting. She says that this coincides with the birth of grandchildren to whom she wishes to leave a tangible legacy. And what a beautiful legacy it is. The perfection that she seeks to achieve is easily evident with each stroke of her paintbrush.
Gordon’s work may be seen at St. Anthony on the Desert Episcopal Church, 12990 E. Shea Boulevard, March 10 to April 21. To contact Gordon directly, go to: artvivian@gmail.com.
Born is Manila, Philippines, Gordon acquired a BS in Business Management, and ran the family business until her siblings were old enough to take over. From there, it was on to Chicago, where she acquired a MS in Computer Science at Illinois Institute of Technology. She became a software engineer, specializing in developing C code for devices and networks. (Your smartphone is running on a C-powered kernel.)
Gordon states that she had always been interested in art, so while in Chicago, she began taking classes at the American Academy of Art. Then, upon moving to Arizona, she began classes at Scottsdale Artists’ School. She goes on to say that she is “mostly self taught, from reading art books, looking at art, and (sometimes) listening to the instructor.” She looked and listened well; her paintings are beautiful evidence of this.
Gordon’s “calling” and love of exploring nature and watching wild animals is alive and well. She shares these exploits via blogs on her artist’s site. She writes: “I have always wanted to return to Yellowstone Falls, (in Yellowstone National Park) even more when I heard that a rainbow is predictable in early June, between 9:30-10 am at Artist’s Point. By 9:15 am, I staked my spot. I finally got my rainbow.”
Gordon retired from software engineering in 2017 to devote time to her oil painting. She says that this coincides with the birth of grandchildren to whom she wishes to leave a tangible legacy. And what a beautiful legacy it is. The perfection that she seeks to achieve is easily evident with each stroke of her paintbrush.
Gordon’s work may be seen at St. Anthony on the Desert Episcopal Church, 12990 E. Shea Boulevard, March 10 to April 21. To contact Gordon directly, go to: artvivian@gmail.com.
St. Anthony Arts Council Presents
Tom and Colleen Taylor
“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson--
—Ralph Waldo Emerson--
As juried Fine Art Photographer Tom Taylor states: “Life has a way of putting art aside.” His wife, juried Oil and Watercolor Artist, Colleen Taylor, agrees.
Early in their lives, both Taylors never lost the opportunity of seeing beauty, and both were artistically inclined; but careers, obligations and busy lifestyles kept them from indulging their love of creating beautiful art. Happily, for them—and us—this has changed.
Tom’s love of photography began at the tender age of 13 when he built a dark room in his parents’ attic in New Bedford, MA. Soon, he was winning local contests.
Years sped by (thirty to be exact ) while Tom worked as a criminal investigator for the “Feds” (Federal Law Enforcement Agency) in different areas around the country. Upon retirement in 2010, he bought his first digital camera and “never looked back.” His ability of using high speed techniques enables him to zero in and capture hummingbirds in exquisite detail. He won a coveted place on the cover of the 2014 Hidden in the Hills Studio Tour brochure with one of his famous hummingbird photos. His love of the Southwest is equally apparent.
Colleen Taylor says that her artistic passion also began at an early age, but in the form of dance. She studied it in all its forms, and danced “wherever and whenever she could.” Now, thirty years later, she “dances to a different tune” through oils, watercolors, pastels, and pen and ink. She is dedicated to her art and tries to paint every day, perfecting her talent and exploring subjects from realistic animals to a wide array of whimsical characters done in colorful patterns. You can tell that they have stories to tell. In 2012, she received her juried status with both the Arizona Art Alliance and the Sonoran Arts League.
After almost 40 years of marriage, the Taylors work side by side in their home gallery in Fountain Hills, where they will again participate in the Fountain Hills open studio Tour d’Artist, March 6-8th.
Proceeding this event, their work may be seen in the St. Anthony Parish Hall from January 28 thru March 3. The Taylors will generously donate 10% of their sales to St. Anthony. To contact them directly, go to thosetaylors@cox.net.
Early in their lives, both Taylors never lost the opportunity of seeing beauty, and both were artistically inclined; but careers, obligations and busy lifestyles kept them from indulging their love of creating beautiful art. Happily, for them—and us—this has changed.
Tom’s love of photography began at the tender age of 13 when he built a dark room in his parents’ attic in New Bedford, MA. Soon, he was winning local contests.
Years sped by (thirty to be exact ) while Tom worked as a criminal investigator for the “Feds” (Federal Law Enforcement Agency) in different areas around the country. Upon retirement in 2010, he bought his first digital camera and “never looked back.” His ability of using high speed techniques enables him to zero in and capture hummingbirds in exquisite detail. He won a coveted place on the cover of the 2014 Hidden in the Hills Studio Tour brochure with one of his famous hummingbird photos. His love of the Southwest is equally apparent.
Colleen Taylor says that her artistic passion also began at an early age, but in the form of dance. She studied it in all its forms, and danced “wherever and whenever she could.” Now, thirty years later, she “dances to a different tune” through oils, watercolors, pastels, and pen and ink. She is dedicated to her art and tries to paint every day, perfecting her talent and exploring subjects from realistic animals to a wide array of whimsical characters done in colorful patterns. You can tell that they have stories to tell. In 2012, she received her juried status with both the Arizona Art Alliance and the Sonoran Arts League.
After almost 40 years of marriage, the Taylors work side by side in their home gallery in Fountain Hills, where they will again participate in the Fountain Hills open studio Tour d’Artist, March 6-8th.
Proceeding this event, their work may be seen in the St. Anthony Parish Hall from January 28 thru March 3. The Taylors will generously donate 10% of their sales to St. Anthony. To contact them directly, go to thosetaylors@cox.net.
Episcopal Church & Visual Arts Fall Exhibit
Submission by Claudia Smith of St. Anthony on the Desert
Dreams Have No Color II
Artist Statement: My oil painting proclaims and celebrates that divine moment when we are aware that our strength and salvation comes through being one with Christ, each other, and all Creation - right down to the Earth beneath our feet. By acknowledging, reflecting and sharing the love of this Universal Oneness, we become whole, giving potent form and beauty to our bodies, souls and relationships.
My painting and its accompany poem, "Dreams Have No Color," is a call for attention and acknowledgement that human needs and feelings are universal. There are no color barriers. The commonality of our hopes and dreams are proof that we are created equally in God’s likeness.
ECVA - Suffering Exhibition
Be sure to visit this online exhibition by the Episcopal Church Visual Arts group featuring our own Claudia Smith. Go here to view to view her Dream Power's Entanglements and read her poem.
Be sure to visit this online exhibition by the Episcopal Church Visual Arts group featuring our own Claudia Smith. Go here to view to view her Dream Power's Entanglements and read her poem.
St. Anthony Arts Council presents
Mary Lou Oslund and Sydney Smith
“A bird flies through the sky, and I fly with it. I am each pearl of moisture sparkling in the sun. I lie lazy on the clouds. And I acknowledge my kinship with each winged thing.”
Max Ehrmann
Max Ehrmann
St. Anthony on the Desert Episcopal Church was pleased to present Mary Lou Oslund and Sydney Smith’s art exhibition: “Birds of a Feather.” This exhibit is a culmination of two artists working miles apart (“snowbird” Oslund in Arizona and Idaho and Smith in Massachusetts) on a theme dear to their hearts—birds. Oslund and Smith have known each other for 54 years. They attended Kansas City Art Institute together and bonded over their love of nature and ways to present it artistically.
After graduating from the Art Institute with a BFA, Oslund received a Masters in Education degree from Colorado State University. She also has her Master & Craftsman degrees, is a Certified Professional Photographer and has received the “National Award” from Professional Photographers of America (PPA). During her career, she worked as a photographer for corporations photographing mine sites; and as a high school teacher, she taught technology education, photography and art. Currently she has her
own studio and is known for her images of wildlife, scenes with sunrises, sunsets, weather patterns and the environment. She also creates with fused glass and is a quilter. She has exhibited in Idaho and Arizona.
own studio and is known for her images of wildlife, scenes with sunrises, sunsets, weather patterns and the environment. She also creates with fused glass and is a quilter. She has exhibited in Idaho and Arizona.
Artwork by Mary Lou Oslund
Smith received a BFA in painting and drawing from the Art Institute and an MA in printmaking from the University of Iowa. She taught art and multiple subjects in elementary schools in Los Angeles before retiring and moving to the East Coast. She works in a variety of media: pastel, acrylic, watercolor and woodcuts, exploring abstract patterns in nature with line and color. She has her own studio and shows in galleries in the Boston area. Currently, she is collaborating with her brother by illustrating his children’s book, Run Away Puppy.
Artwork by Sydney Smith
Oslund and Smith bring their artistic talents together for their collaborative St. Anthony exhibition, highlighting birds like the graceful sandhill crane, colorful blue bird, elegant swan, inquisitive owl and ever alert hawk.
“Birds of a Feather” is a perfect title for this exhibit. It epitomizes not only a bevy of beautiful birds, but its talented creators, Oslund and Smith who “fly” in perfect unison.
“Birds of a Feather” is a perfect title for this exhibit. It epitomizes not only a bevy of beautiful birds, but its talented creators, Oslund and Smith who “fly” in perfect unison.