October 29, 2013 Freestone County Times

-Community-

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Small Town Art Gallery Celebrates Three Years

From a Dream to Reality

The idea was born from a series of conversations with a close friend. Jimmy [Lang] and I talked for a decade about what each art gallery had that we liked, says Ken Vail, co-owner of Healthy Rhythm Consulting and Community Art Gallery of Fairfield, Texas. However, he says, I would have never thought to put an art gallery here. What brought a well-traveled, 20-year veteran of public health living in Boston to this small town in Freestone County? One word sums it up: Family. Kens brother had settled in Fairfield, after serving as a First Responder during Hurricane Katrina. When their mom fell ill, he moved her from Arkansas to a local nursing home. I moved to Fairfield to help with Mom, and reconnect with my brother, says Ken. Initially, Ken had planned to spend a year, at most, helping with his mother, before going back to Boston. Although he had grown up in a town smaller than Fairfield, My life was no longer nine years. Then came 18-year-old photographer, Allison Flom of New York City, who happens to be the daughter of Jason Flom, former Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Records, Virgin Records and Capitol Music Group. From overseas came travel photographer, Pat OHare of Geneva Switzerland, who followed Opening Night with a Public Health Presentation on Harm Reduction that sparked a thoughtful discussion among community leaders. Most recently, 4-H photographer, Hannah Dimicelli, traveled just a few miles from Teague for what proved to be one of the best Opening Nights yet, with over 20 exhibition prints sold in Art Camp students enjoy putting their creative stamp on various the first hour. pieces. (Photo by Denise McAdams) I couldnt have done it without them, says Ken, of the artists he in the South, he says. in that one room. has hosted over the past three That changed as Ken began After consulting with his friend, years. They have all made an visiting the Courthouse Caf, and soon to be co-owner, Jimmy impact on Fairfield and Freeenjoying the view of downtown, Lang, Ken approach the cafs stone County some in ways that and imagining his artwork hang- owner, Rozanne McKinney, about we dont even know about. ing on the interior brick wall. It renting the connecting room at What Ken has found most sursnowballed from there, until Ken 125 S. Mount Street. prising, perhaps, is that No decided, I can start our dream When the caf closed in Octo- matter who the artist is, if you ber of 2010, Ken took over both do something as simple as ask if areas; and with the help of his they would be willing to exhibit brother and a friend, remodeled at the Gallery, they will come. the space, adding two pieces of The one thing Ken did not furniture and a rug. It had a expect to find in this small Texas very minimalist look, says Ken. town was his soul mate, fiance Healthy Rhythm Community of 2-1/2 years, Donna Strait. Art Gallerys Grand Opening, the At first, Donna did not believe following month, coincided with that someone had opened an the Annual Art Walk, hosted by art gallery in the small town of Trinity Star Art Council (TSAC). Fairfield. After reading some The Gallerys first Exhibitions news clippings her mother had included photographs of a USO collected, she wrote Ken an tour by the Harlem Globetrot- email, saying she was glad he ters, provided by Getty Images was here. Journalist, David Holloway, and My first thought was, if there is a series of portraitures of vet- a woman in Freestone County for erans, by combat photographer, me, its the one who wrote this Bill Putnam. email, says Ken. Later, when Since then, the Gallery has Donna stopped by in person to hosted several artists, some drop off a house warming gift, from just a few miles down the the two ended up talking for road, others traveling several nearly six hours. thousand miles to come to this The couple have been together small town in Texas. ever since. There was rock poster artist, They live on a private 100-acre Geneva-based travel photographer, Pat OHare, describes his Brad Klausen, who was the in- horse ranch, 18 miles north of technique during Opening Night of his photography exhibition at the house graphic designer for world- Fairfield, along with my little Gallery in downtown Fairfield, Texas. (Photo by Mary McDonald) renowned band, Pearl Jam, for girl, 10-year-old Callie Wilkes.

Self-proclaimed dreamer, Gallery co-owner Ken Vail, credits tenacity and perseverance for marking his third year since opening Healthy Rhythm Consultng & Community Art Gallery on the square in downtown Fairfield, Texas. I saw that brick wall, I though about what it could become, and I believed I could make it happen. (Photo by Karen Leidy) Callie is a 5th grade A Honor student at Fairfield Intermediate. She sings in the choir and takes acting lessons at the Warehouse Living Arts Center in Corsicana, Texas. Donna is the owner of DAM Strait Quarter Horses. She breeds, raises, trains and sells quarter ponies, paint ponies and POAs for families to enjoy in the show ring, and their backyards. Donna is also an artisan/jewelry maker and creator of HippyHickChick Designs. In addition to the Gallery, Ken is making plans to extend the Consulting arm of the business with Music Services and Life Coaching. Stay tuned for details soon, about these new ventures. Healthy Rhythm Consulting & Community Art Gallery is located at 127 S. Mount, on the courthouse square in downtown Fairfield, Texas. The Gallery is open Monday thru Saturday from 12 noon to 6:30 p.m. If there is someone here, I will stay open until the last person leaves, says Ken. Gallery artists include Allison Flom (photography) of New York City; Pat OHare (travel photography) of Geneva, Switzerland; Wayne Vee (oil paintings) of Teague; Max Da Silva (paintings & charcoal drawings) of Liverpool; Bruce Taylor (metal art) of Dallas; Kathy Dean of Donie (paintings); Janice Levi (turned wood) of Groesbeck; Jimmy Lang (concert photography) of San Diego; Bill Putnam (combat photography) of Washington, D.C.; and Trish Haskey (surrealism) of Teague. Consignment pieces, from several different artists, are also available at Healthy Rhythm Community Art Gallery. Coffee, hot tea, homemade brownies and T-shirts are sold as well. Regular events at the Gallery include a Free Wine Social on Friday evenings from 5:00 to

-Healthy RhythmPage 2-B

Its a Party!

3-Year Anniversary Celebration & Gallery Fundraiser

Healthy Rhythm Community Art Gallery 127 S. Mount in downtown Faireld, Texas

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Main Event
($40 Adults, $20 Youth 12 & Under)

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Open House

(FREE Admission)
12 noon - 5:00 p.m. --Light Refreshments --Silent Auction Fundraiser Begins --Random Giveaways --Artwork for Viewing & Purchase --Music Videos

6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. --Appetizers, Sweets & Assorted Beverages --Silent Auction Fundraiser Continues --$1,000 Artwork Package Drawing* --Special Gallery Announcement --Musical Headliner --Meet & Greet
*Drawing limited to paid guests. One entry per guest.

www.healthyrhythm.net

Saturday Nov. 9th