Page 5 - TR Spirit Mt View 2016

THREE RIVERS EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRATGAZETTE • SPIRIT OF MOUNTAIN VIEW SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2016 5SS
artists to see what they do, how they do it and what all is involved with the crafts,” she said.
Those taking the tour should use the guidebook to plan their trip ahead of time, Becki advised. “You’ll make much better use of your time,” she said.
The tour tries to include new artists each year, she added, so many visitors return to see new artists, as well as studios they missed in previous years.Artists on the tour range from potters and painters to weavers and woodworkers.
“They’re some amazing people, so a lot of it is just recognition of the diverse talent that we have here,” Becki said.
DAHLSTEDT POTTERY
The Dahlstedts’ pottery studio, which is near downtown Mountain View, is a popular stop on the tour. David makes pots while Becki explains glazing and firing to visitors, shows them the kiln and sells wares.
Visitors are delighted not only by the couple’s work, but also by their numerous cats and dogs.
“The animals are always a big attraction, too,” Becki said. “A lot of it involves meeting the cats and dogs and seeing where people live and all that, which makes it personal.”
David began making pottery in 1969 and worked as a pottery demonstrator at the Ozark Folk Center for a time, he said, adding that he now teaches pottery classes at the Arkansas Craft School.
YUN KIM
Perched above Arkansas 87, painter Yun Kim’s studio offers a picturesque view of the scenery that inspires her art. Her gallery-style studio is in a converted garage.
Kim studied art throughout high school and college in South Korea but set down her paintbrush after graduating in 1972, she said. She moved to New Jersey, where she met her husband, Bobby Hensley, and opened a dry-cleaning business, she added.
In 2008, the couple moved to Hensley’s home state, Arkansas. A visit to a local creek inspired Kim to paint again, and in 2009, she joined the Mountain View Ar t Guild, which helped her acclimate to the community, she said.
“I think I’m happy,” she said. “When people say, ‘I’m depressed; I have some problem,’ I say, ‘Come to art guild.’”
Kim joined the studio tour last year, and although it was more stressful than exhibiting at a gallery, she said it was a good experience because she could see visitors’ reactions to her work.
“I had a good turnout last year,” she said.“They were surprised because I have almost all the different mediums,” such as watercolor, oil, acrylic and more.
WENDY MILLER/THREE RIVERS EDITION
As a child, Paul Gillam Jr. watched his father, Paul Gillam Sr., sell handmade furniture at art shows.The younger Gillam now sells smaller work at art shows, in addition to participating in the studio tour.
nature, she said she prefers to work inside using photographs, including some she takes herself or receives from her photographer friend in Jasper.
“People are so good, so sweet, in Mountain View especially,” she added.
BLUE MOUNTAIN WOODWORKS
Blue Mountain Woodworks, a father-and-son partnership between Paul Gillam Sr. and Paul Gillam Jr., is tucked away down a dirt road inTimbo. Their studio includes a workshop and a showroom.
They make small pieces such as cutting boards, serving trays and utensils, as well as some commissioned furniture and cabinets, the younger Gillam said.Their designs are all original, and they do not use computerized cutting machines, he said.
“It’s functional art,” he said.“If somebody wants to just serve on them or just hang them on the wall, that’s fine. I grew up out here, and we have to have functional stuff.”
He uses solid hardwoods to create eye- catching pieces, many of which are infused with lines of a different wood.
“I’ve never seen anybody really do it,” Gillam said of the technique, which he adopted because he attends competitive, high-end art shows.
Gillam goes to about 12 shows a year, he said, including the War Eagle Mill Fall Arts and Crafts Fair in Rogers, the Arkansas Craft Guild’s Christmas Showcase in Little Rock and out-of-state shows. His father is technically retired, although he still helps when needed, Gillam said.
This will be their sixth year on the tour, he said.
“We get a big reaction out here,” he said. “You’d be surprised — probably about 300 people per year out here on that weekend from Friday,
Although much of her art is inspired by
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Dulcimer Shoppe
We invite you to visit our shop to watch our craftsmen make the famous McSpadden Dulcimers.
Learn first hand how simple these instruments are to play and how easily you can begin making music.
Fine selection of gift items and regional crafts.
Musical Accessories • Dahlstedt Pottery • Music • Books Wind Chimes • Enamel “Splatterware”
Children’s Toys and Books • Decorative and Scented Candles Recordings, many featuring local artists
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