Leona Mackey at the David L. Dickerson Fine Arts Gallery

"I'm honored Tamarack chose my work for this month." ~ Leona Mackey

 You can see Leona's work at: Tamarack Gallery

Leona has six pieces on display in our current exhibition Natural Wonder: Art Inspired by the World Around Us. Which will be on display through June 6, 2014 in the David L. Dickerson Fine Arts Gallery, at Tamarack in Beckley, WV.

Leona Mackey, a long time art instructor at Huntington High School transitioned from ceramics and painting to dichroic and reactive glass in sterling jewelry pieces. Now she is concentrating on unique fine art works featuring fired glass in stainless steel mounts, either as wall hangings or free standing pieces. She received the first place award in the 2009 West Virginia Emerging Artist Exhibit.

 

Recently, she has been exploring reactive glass which has opened another world of creating with color. Using this glass, she is more aware of composition as well as color. Her work is ever changing, so there is never two of a kind. The dichroic glass can be combined with the reactive glass, adding a whole new dimension to her work.

 

After years of teaching high school and university students to discover their creativity within, I now have the time to further develop my own creative spirit.

Welcome New Artist, Leona Mackey to the Renaissance Art Gallery!

The Renaissance Art Gallery is happy to welcome a new artists to our co-operative gallery, Leona Mackey.Leona was one of three artists featured last spring in our “Earth, Wind and Fire” exhibition. She was in fact, the “Fire!” And we are please and excited to welcome Leona as a member-artist of the Renaissance Art Gallery.

 

Leona Mackey, a long time art instructor at Huntington High School transitioned from ceramics and painting to dichroic and reactive glass in sterling jewelry pieces. Now she is concentrating on unique fine art works featuring fired glass in stainless steel mounts, either as wall hangings or free standing pieces.

 

Experienced in teaching art, Leona will greatly enrich both the classes and art exhibitions of the Renaissance Art Gallery. We are all looking forward to working with Leona.

 

“Leona 's award winning creations are original , exceptional , and exciting . I am looking forward to working with her and learning from her!”  Fern Christian, Director, the Renaissance Art Gallery.

Leona Mackey to Talk and Demonstrate Artwork

Leona Mackey

Leona Mackey will be at the Renaissance Art Gallery on Saturday March 16 from 2-4 and Sunday March17 till 4, She will demonstrate how to cut & assemble the glass to fuse, explain the process & show a similar final product.

 

Ms Mackey is part of the current show, “Class Acts--Earth Wind and Fire” now at the Renaissance Art Gallery through April 21, 2013.

 

Example of working with glass and steel

"As an artist, I have always worked with organic subjects because they seem to be the  essence of life. I don’t attempt to copy nature but to analyze it and visually show what  only I see. Color is fascinating as it changes each day. I have searched for something other than colors of paint, something I that I could physically touch. I finally discovered dichroic glass. This glass is coated with fine layers of metallic color. It has reflective qualities that I have never achieved using another media. My glass pieces are mini-sculptures that may be worn or framed to hang in one’s home to illustrate individual taste. The wall pieces have gradually turned into sculpture. I mix glass with stainless steel in ways I use sterling silver to complete my jewelry pieces. Many artists work in glass, but I strive to create unique compositions using smooth, blended colors and texture that encourage the viewer to search for his or her own image.

 

Recently, I have discovered reactive glass which has opened another world of creating with color. Sheet glass that contains copper, sulfur and lead react with one another when fired. Using this glass, I am more aware of composition as well as color. My work is ever changing, so there is never two of a kind. The dichroic glass can be combined with the reactive glass, adding a whole new dimension to my work. I am excitedly still experimenting."

 

~Leona Mackey

 

The Renaissance Art Gallery

900 8th Street, Suite #20

Huntington, WV 25701

Gallery (304) 525-3235

Appointments: (304) 453-3187

gallerywv@yahoo.com

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Gallery hours are:

Friday & Saturday 12-4 pm, Sunday 1-4 pm

Studio hours Monday 10-Noon, Wednesday 1:00-7:30 pm and Saturday 10-Noon

Leona Mackey-Artist in "Class Acts--Earth, Wind & Fire

Leona Mackey, a long time art instructor at Huntington High School transitioned from ceramics and painting to dichroic and reactive glass in sterling jewelry pieces. Now she is concentrating on unique fine art works featuring fired glass in stainless steel mounts, either as wall hangings or free standing pieces. She received the first place award in the 2009 West Virginia Emerging Artist Exhibit.

 

 

Class Acts--Earth, Wind & Fire, Spring Show

The exhibition “Class Acts--Earth Wind and Fire” will open with a reception on Sunday March 10, 2013 at the Renaissance Gallery.  The exhibit features the work of Leona Mackey, Vernon Howell and Rabert Fulks – each a retired local art instructor, and each an award winning artist producing unique and original work.

 

Pieces by these exceptional, local artists are consistently found in open or juried shows in the Tri-State region and in the State of West Virginia. One or two pieces in such a show however, often leave the viewer wishing for more. This exhibit offers the opportunity for a broader view of their work either over time or through the use of a variety of media.  

During the exhibit, the artists are scheduling specific time for demonstration, description of their creative process or discussion of specific works, their conception and meaning to the artist.

“Earth Wind and Fire – Class Acts” exhibit will run for six weeks, until Sunday April 21, 2013. In addition to the new exhibit, the Gallery will be showcasing the completion of the second phase of its update and remodeling project.