"Eclectic" Featuring Rhys Greene, Linda & Charlie Muñoz

Linda Muñoz has worked in the medium of glass for over 30 years. Her artistic journey began prior to her introduction to glass, however. Working as a night supervisor in a psychiatric hospital, she watched her staff nursing assistants as they pieced quilts to pass the long hours between patient checks She found the process to be irresistible and began to piece her own “Lone Star” quilt. She has since won awards for her pictorial quilt designs.

She has taught stained glass mosaic art and fused glass to children and adults for the last 9 years. In 2010 she was chosen to become a DANA Teaching Artist. As part of her training, she developed an arts integrated unit of study called “Patchwork History Project” in which elementary students have the opportunity to study the Quilters of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, and then construct glass mosaic quilt designs on benches and on wall installations at their schools. Fifteen schools in Alabama now have glass mosaic quilts on display as a result of the “Patchwork History Project”. Linda designed and has collaborated with Rhys Greene on the creation of the “Kentuck Tree Mosaic” on the wall of the Gallery at Kentuck in Northport, AL. She taught mosaic art to participants in a national workshop last year and the result was a large mosaic installation that is on display at the United Nations Worship Center in New York City. Her work can also be seen on a mural on the side of her studio in York, AL, at the University of Alabama's Arboretum in Tuscaloosa, AL, at Camp Mc Dowell in Nauvoo, AL, and at several galleries across the state, including Orbix Hot Glass in Ft. Payne, AL, The Kentuck Gallery in Northport, AL, Black Belt Treasures in Camden, AL and the Little River Canyon Center near Mentone, AL. You can also visit her web site: www.littleriverart.com

ARTIST STATEMENT:
Vibrant patterns, textures and colors are vital elements in my glass artwork. Coming from a family in which quilting was a much loved and practiced art form, I enjoy creating mosaic and fused glass art pieces inspired by the lines, shapes and colors of the quilts that I lived with as a child. This is a reason I find it important to impart my love of glass art and quilting to the children that I teach. This show offers the rare opportunity for me to exhibit both my glass art and my quilts! 

Charlie Muñoz

Medium: Sculpture and Precious Metal Jewelry
Telephone: 205-499-4011
Address: P. O. Box 185, Cuba, AL 36907
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.littleriverart.com

Bio and Artist Statement
Charlie Muñoz is a sculptor, a jewelry artist and a cellist. His jewelry consists of precious metals including sterling silver, gold and copper. He frequently employs rivets and stones in his pieces. He is a sculptor who casts his own bronze and iron works and welds large steel artworks. He also works in clay.

Charlie describes his work.
I was always interested in art as a small child. I was born in York, Alabama and moved to New Orleans at the age of six. I played with local clay dug in both places. As I grew up, I became very interested in music and majored in music in college. Although I have degrees in music, I found playing with clay and metal much more exciting than doing my counterpoint homework.

Shortly before my marriage to Linda in 1978, I went to Canada where I took a foundry class at Ontario College of Art and I began casting my own small bronze sculptures. My sculptures in bronze and cast iron generally deal with the human form. Ships and airplanes also seem to be a recurrent theme. As a child I was quite fascinated with the steel and welding in the shipbuilding firm, Higgins, Inc., where my stepfather was chief inspector. Higgins became famous for the landing craft made for the Normandy Invasion in W.W.II. Other studies in sculpture have included the University of Georgia Studies Abroad Program in Cortona, Italy. My cast bronze sculptures have been exhibited in Cortona and at the University of Georgia. Two of my larger sculptures - welded and cast iron - are at my Alma Mater, the University of West Alabama in their Permanent Collection of Outdoor Sculptures. Recent shows of my works include a two-person show at the Ronnie Miller Gallery in Meridian, MS, and at the Bonnie Busbee Gallery in Meridian, MS.

Linda and I both became active in a small regional art center in York, Alabama, the Coleman Center for Arts and Culture. I served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of this center for 20 years. I also served on the Board of Directors of the Meridian Museum of Art for many years, and I was a cellist in the Meridian Symphony Orchestra for several years. I am delighted to be showing my works here in Columbus. I was the ʻcello teacher in the Suzuki String Program here for several years. It was a privilege to work with Trudy Gildea and Dianne Ford. They are great teachers with lots of wonderful students and dedicated
parents.

You can see more of my work at: www.littleriverart.com

Rhys Greene Artist Bio

Mosaics and Photography

Rhys Greene could be described as a "late bloomer." During the first 50 years of life, she was passionate about horses. From the show ring to long distance trail riding, she spent every available moment, with her horses. Rhys' 25 year career as a Flight Attendant allowed her to travel extensively and to experience many exciting cities and cultures. In the late 1990's, a life changing event led Rhys to pursue classes in making stained glass and mosaics. The classes were just for fun, but she was "hooked"! Over the last decade, she has combined the techniques of both art forms and developed her individual style. Her art evolves and she often says, "My art takes on a life of its own and it leads me on many unexpected adventures."

Rhys and Linda Muñoz have collaborated on numerous mosaic projects and have co-taught classes throughout Alabama. Their Quilt Mosaics have been exhibited at the Kentuck Gallery, University of West Alabama, The Bama Theatre, Winfield Quilt Show, Collinsville Quilt Show, and at the Columbus Arts Council.

Rhys and Linda have been commissioned to create and install a large scale mosaic at the Caring Days facility in Tuscaloosa, AL. It will be completed by late summer.

(Rhys' mosaic work can be seen in the Kentuck Courtyard in Northport, AL; St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Fayette, AL; Camp McDowell, Nauvoo, AL; and throughout the Town of Gordo AL. Her work is available at the Kentuck Gallery, Northport, AL and the Blue Phrog, in Montevall, AL.)

Photography is an art form that Rhys began studying in 2006. She has taken classes at Shelton State College, University of Alabama, and Samford University.

A fortuitous meeting led to a friendship with Mike and Pauline Neilson. Mike, a professional photographer, has become her teacher and mentor. Their exhibit, Collected Images, was presented at the Bama Theatre in Tuscaloosa, AL in October 2011.

Rhys has exhibited her photographs in numerous shows in Tuscaloosa, Northport and Columbus, MS, since 2007.

Rhys is a member of the "Gordo Artists" who regularly exhibit in Alabama and Mississippi. Their exhibit will be in Tuscaloosa, Northport and Columbus during the summer of 2012.

You may see her photography at the DCH Regional Hospital, Cancer Treatment Center, in Tuscaloosa, AL. Her photos are available at The Kentuck Gallery in Northport, AL and The Blue Phrog in Montevallo, AL.

Contact Rhys for mosaic classes and custom mosaics for home or business.

Rhys Greene

1695 Double Branch Road

Gordo, AL 35466

205-364-9290

Rhys Greene Artist Statement Mosaics and Photography

Mosaics

The ancient art of mosaics allow for imaginative and individual expression. Stained glass is the primary material found in my mosaics. To create interest, add life and make my art more expressive, I include unusual and unique pieces, often using smalti, agate, natural stones, gemstones and fused glass accents. I find it most pleasing to work with the vibrant colors and textures to create a picture using a myraid of small pieces.

My mosaic art journey allows time for personal introspection and contemplation, when working alone on an individual project. Likewise I find it exciting to collaborate with others on community and public art projects.

My work can be seen in The Kentuck Courtyard in Northport, AL; St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Fayette, AL; Camp McDowell in Nauvoo, AL; Caring Days Adult Day Care in Tuscaloosa, AL; and throughout the town of Gordo, AL.

Photography

My study of photography begain in 2006. The first three years were spent shooting, processing film and printing in a wet darkroom. I concentrated on traditional black and white photography with a strong emphasis on infrared photography. Infrared photos are intriguing because they capture "invisible light," which produces unusual tones and undiluted contrasts. The images make a strong statement and are sometimes described as unworldly. After learning the basics, I moved into digital photography. My study is ongoing and I take classes whenever possible. I find that my portfolio is ever changing as I seek new subjects and learn new techniques. Capturing the essence of familiar subjects in a meaningful and intriguing way is my objective.

My photography can be seen at DCH Regional Hospital, Cancert Treatment Center in Tuscaloosa, AL; and The Kentuck Arts Center Gallery, Northport, AL.

Artist Statement Summary

Individual life experiences define how we view the world and how we relate to art. I want my work to invite you, the viewer, to experience something personal. Perhaps you will recall a cherised memory. Perhaps you will be reminded of a dream you have for your future. Or, if it simply brings a smile to your face, I am truly pleased.