VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

Galveston Arts Center presents Margaret "Sis" Biehl, A Memorial Exhibition and Sale, Organized by and benefitting Galveston Arts Center.  Saturday, April 18, 2009, from 5 to 8 pm; Gallery Talk with Curator Clint Willour at 6:00 pm.  The event will be held at Arts and Frames located at 1126 19th Street at Avenue L through April 25, 2009.

A native Galvestonian, Sis was an accomplished artist who passed away at the age of 88 in July 2008. She received a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas and was an active member of the Galveston Art League. For several years she owned and ran an art gallery in the Lucas Terrace Apartment building on Broadway across from her family home. Her own work was modest in scale. Working in oil, acrylic, watercolor, and clay, she favored vibrant colors and used still lifes, interiors and landscapes as her sources. Her dog “Miki” was also a favorite subject and has been immortalized in many of Sis’ works. She travelled extensively in Europe, Mexico, and the United States and found inspiration in those travels for her artworks.

Prior to her death, she expressed her wish that the bulk of her art be donated to the Galveston Arts Center. In January, GAC received approximately 60 paintings on canvas, several  3-dimensional works, and many ceramic pieces. The exhibition will celebrate Sis’ prolific artistic output. All work will be for sale with the proceeds benefitting the reconstruction of the Galveston Arts Center. “We are so grateful to Sis, her family, and in particular her nephew Rick for making such a generous donation,” states GAC executive director, Alexandra Irvine. “Sis was an enthusiastic supporter of GAC and served on the Board of Directors. She was a vibrant member of the island’s art community and will certainly be missed by all.” Anyone wishing to own a piece of Sis’ work to remember her by should plan to visit Arts and Frames.

Other venues participating in the April ArtWalk include: The Water’s Edge Studio and Gallery, J. Bangle’s Silk Stocking Gallery, Local Color, DesignWorks Gallery, Wagner Sousa Modern Art and others. A flyer listing all participants with times and locations can be downloaded from GAC’s website at: www.galvestonartscenter.org .

Galveston Arts Center is located on the corner of Strand and 22nd (Kempner) Street in historic downtown Galveston. GAC is currently closed until further notice for repairs to damage from Hurricane Ike. We anticipate re-opening in September 2009. For more information, call 409.763.2403 or visit www.galvestonartscenter.org.