Southwest School of Art Gala in the Garden and Art Sale

I was thrilled to be asked to participate in a fundraising event for one of my favorite organizations: the Southwest School of Art. Their annual Gala in the Garden and Art Sale takes place on October 4 in the beautiful riverside gardens at the school's historic location. Artists for the Gala are selected by participating galleries, and the part of the proceeds of the sale go toward educational programs at the school, which will offer its first Bachelor of Arts program this year. Soon after my move back to Texas fourteen years ago, I began taking art classes at SSA, which was then called the Southwest Craft Center. Many, many happy hours passed in the fiber and metals studios on campus, as I studied surface design with Jane Dunnewold and metals with Claire Holliday, among others. It's an honor to give back by participating in this event.

Spring Flock Necklace
©2012 Vickie Hallmark
sterling silver clay, Argentium wire, sterling chain

Clare Watters, manager of the on-campus Gallery Shop, nominated my work to the organizers. The piece of choice was my Flock necklace, which I had recently committed to having available for another potential opportunity. So I designed and made a different version of the necklace just for the Gala.

Spring Warbler Earrings
©2012 Vickie Hallmark
sterling silver clay, Argentium wire

Spring Flock is similar in overall design, with again completely one-of-a-kind hand-sculpted treetop scenes. Each bird, leaf and flower is painstakingly formed with magnification. A pair of coordinating earrings completes my contribution to the Art Sale.

 Check out the jewelry from these other artists whose names I recognized among the artist participants. It's an honor to be in their company!

1. Kat Cole
2. Gary Schott
3. Alejandro Sifuentes