Visit Texas Treasures Fine Art Gallery and the art objects of Gary Thompson, sculptor of copper and brass.
West of Dripping Springs, Lonesomesage Longhorn Ranch is the inspirational setting where Thompson forges copper and brass into native plants of the Southwest. Thompson, born in Austin, Texas, was introduced to forging metal at the early age of 5, and for the next 10 years watched his Swedish grandfather, Carl Pearson, forge steel in his Texas blacksmith shop.
Thompson recalls running barefoot, stopping occasionally to play with hammers and anvils, and watching his grandpa weld and sharpen discs for the local farmers. Thompson’s craftsmanship can be traced back yet another generation to his great-grandfather, Ohr Pearson, a cabinet maker who made fine furniture and cabinets at the Texas State Capitol.
Even though exposed to other mediums in junior and senior high school classes, Thompson drifted back to forging metal from the early interest inspired by his grandfather’s blacksmith shop. During the late 1960s, Thompson used any kind of scrap metal, from Crisco cans to auto parts, to design sculptures.
Quoting Cactus Creek Daily, “Sour in color, deformed in shape, featuring lethal textures, Cacti are the essence of raw beauty.”
Thompson is so attracted to these complex succulents that he has chosen them to be the muse for his forged metal artwork.
Since 1972, Thompson has won numerous awards, including Best in Metal at the Rockport Art Festival. He has participated in Austin’s prestigious Laguna Gloria Art Festival, and the State of Texas Commission on the Arts designated him as one of a select group of artists, a Texas Original.
Save the date for Texas Treasures’ 11th anniversary art show and sale, April 8-10. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in participating as a guest artist.
View working blacksmiths at the Blacksmith Shop at The Agricultural Museum and Arts Center, 102 City Park Road in Boerne from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Visit www.theagricultural. org. for future events and workshops.
Like us on Facebook! Visit our website often at www.hccarts.org. Send inquiries to [email protected].
HCCArts calendar
• Boerne Concert Band, Musica de Primavera! The music of Spain, Mexico and Latin America. Sunday, March 6, 7 p.m., Boerne High School Auditorium; Director, Larry Schmidt. Join the concert band for its spring concert with selections including Fiesta Tropicale, Blue Tango, Legend of Zorro and more. For information, visit boerneconcertband.com.
• Carriage House Gallery of Artists, 110 Rosewood Ave. in Boerne, free “We love our Customers” gift with purchase during the month of February. Choose your creative gift made by the gallery artists, while supplies last, including scarves, small gourds and fused glass. For information, call 830- 248-1184 or visit www.carriagehousegallerytx.com.
• HCCArts announces Art AfterHours classes for 2022. Art AfterHours classes takes you through a clip of art history, a script of art terminology and a dip into art mediums, all in a playful explorative environment. Classes are from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays in the classroom at the AgriCultural Museum and Arts Center, 102 City Park Road in Boerne. Cost is $35. Discounts with membership. Class descriptions and limited registration at www.hccarts.org.
Series 2: March 1-Mosaics, Part 1; March 8-Mosaics, Part 2; March 15-Dying in a Day; March 22-Hammered Cuff; March 29-Color Play; April 5-Fixable Mixed Media.
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