Thursday, Nov. 05, 2009

3 artists on display at Public Square

To keep your artistic whistle whetted for the nationally recognized Art on the Square festival in May, the Gateway East Artists Guild will showcase the work of three artists Friday and Saturday at 30 Public Square in Belleville.

Portrait artist Rebecca McDannold, of Columbia, began her career with Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Mo., before receiving a bachelor of arts degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She taught high school and college for 10 years, then took a 16-year hiatss from creative work while developing and running a business.

Now back at the easel, McDannold shows her work largely in the Midwest. Her portrait clients include Cardinals Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith and Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series.

Jewelry designer Linda Klossner is a finalist in the 2009 Fire Mountain International Jewelry Design competition. She will show her current work in pressed glass, gemstones, polymer clay and water color painting.

Hsin-Hui Chen-Taylor was born in Taiwan. She draws with pencil, charcoal, pastel, crayon and Chinese brush. Her painting media include watercolor, oil and Chinese ink.

Her works have been exhibited in shows sponsored by the St. Louis Artists' Guild and the Art Group of Union Avenue Church in St. Louis. She teaches Chinese Ink Painting at American Frame & Art Supply and Hobby Lobby.

The Art on the Square Gallery will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The exhibiting artists will give a workshop for children of deployed military personnel at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The exhibit also will be open after the Veterans Day ceremonies at 11 a.m. Wednesday on the Public Square.