Over 60 art lovers attended the November 16 opening reception for the first show in our new gallery, a collection of paintings by former Nacogdoches artist Moses Foster. Attendees enjoyed the bold, colorful paintings, which are on display through early January. The gallery, located at 320 North Street, will be open Saturdays from 11-4 during the Moses Foster exhibition.
Up next is NAC’s Winter Workshop featuring 50+ local arts vendors, food trucks, entertainment and FREE kids art activities. This event takes place around the square in downtown Nacogdoches on Saturday, December 7 from 10am – 2pm, before the big Christmas Parade. Entertainment will be provided by singer Cindy Grayson, blues man Dan McMahon, the Rhythm Rocker Cloggers, SFA musical theatre plus live painting by spray paint artist Sharkbait.
The Falling Star Gallery @ NAC is open Saturdays from 11-4 or by appointment by texting 917-209-1050.
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT – Meet Sharon Scifres!
Currently serving her second year on the NAC board of directors, Sharon Scifres is a retired licensed therapist with a masters in social work. She’s also an award-winning watercolorist and photographer.
Originally from Mississippi, Sharon and her husband Elton brought their young family to Nacogdoches more than 30 years ago “We never intended to stay, but here we are. We love Nac.” Now a grandmother of four, Sharon’s creative talents are getting used more than ever.
“I’m the kind of person who can’t just pile vegetables on a plate. I want to arrange them. When I was little, my dad would give me the cardboard inserts from his uniform collar to draw on. I want to be creative all the time.”
Sharon’s house is a tranquil backdrop for her framed paintings and photos. A spray of wildflowers is on one wall; a seascape hangs on another. A dazzling photo of salmon fry taken at an aquarium graces the master bath. Other creative projects are underway. In her workroom the sewing machine is set up. “I’m making advent calendars for my two daughters and their families.” She spreads open the cloth she’s working on. A green tree is appliqued to the background and small buttons are sewn all over it. She has hand-painted wooden ornaments, each fitted with a cloth loop to hang on the tree’s buttons. In a word, adorable. She points out a skillful watercolor on the fridge of a pine cone on a bough. “That’s this year’s Christmas card.”
Sharon’s interest in making art blossomed because of her challenging career. “I was counseling registered sex offenders, and I needed something creative to take my mind off all the terrible things I heard about all day at work. So I started doing watercolors. I took lessons for seven or eight years from Peggy Fare.” Sharon is a member of SFA Friends of the Visual Arts, Nacogdoches Photography Club and was a member of the now-defunct Watercolor East Texas (WET).
“The Nacogdoches Arts Collaborative is a wonderful addition to the arts organizations in town. We are committed to presenting more opportunities for creative people to show their skills in the visual arts, music, dance, theater and creative writing. The arts are for everybody and Nacogdoches is included.”