New Art Exhibit at MCA’s Galleria Valéncia
Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts’, Galleria Valéncia presents Winona area professional artist, Barb Halvorson’s beautiful paintings of wildlife, landscapes, floral and leaf paintings.
The public is invited to celebrate this beautiful exhibit, and see the artist in action on Wednesday, June 1st 4:30pm-6:30pm at the Valéncia Arts Center. This show will run through June 30th. The galleria will also be open during regular office hours, Mondays & Wednesdays- Friday 9:00am- 3:00pm & Tuesdays 11:30am-5:30pm and while evening and Saturday classes are in session.
About the Artist
In 1982, Barb Halvorson walked into a local hobby shop and painted her first picture as a special gift for a special friend. Displayed on the shop wall was a class sample of a landscape. She asked the store clerk if she painted that picture would hers look like that. Needless to say, her painting looked nothing like the teachers but she was thrilled with the results. That friend was a mental health counselor who was treating Barb for major depressive disorder. Publicly, Barb never shares this part of her life, but recently she turned 60 and hopes by sharing her story that someone else will be helped.
Although Barb never felt naturally talented she took every class available and was always the last one to finish and the last one to go home. Never could she have imagined that one painting would lead to a full-time career. Barb believes that if you can hold a paintbrush in your hand, foot, mouth and have a desire to learn you can paint. Barb has seen many cloudy days turn blue just by picking up a brush.
Barb has traveled extensively for 30 years teaching literally thousands of people to paint at major art conventions throughout the United States. Many of them have never picked up a brush. She has authored five “how to paint books” in a series titled, “Sharing Gifts of Nature”. She is known for painting wildlife, landscapes, floral and painting on leaves.
For more information about Barb’s art or classes please call 507-454-7617, or email: halvorsonart@hotmail.com.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University, a nonprofit organization, offers programming in dance, music, visual art, and theatre. Classes, lessons, workshops, and camps are offered for youth ages 18 mo. and older through adults at the Valéncia Arts Center, located at the corner of 10th and Vila streets. For more information go to www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, email mca@smumn.edu, or call 507-453-5500.