VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

As spring segues into the heat of summer in Houston, the cool interiors of Archway Gallery, located at 2305-A Dunlavy in the Montrose/River Oaks area of Houston, beckon visitors to experience the work of two of Houston's most revered artists on Saturday, May 2, from 5-8 p.m.  On view from May 2 through June 5, the exhibition features the work of Bede Van Dyke and Gene Hester.

Glass artist Gene Hester, the owner of Genesis Art Glass Studio, creates his unique pieces from fused kilnformed glass.  "Kilnformed glass is a process where two layers of glass (usually clear on the bottom and colored glass on top) are fired to 14800º and melt together," Hester explains. "A second firing to 1350º allows the glass to slump by heat and gravity into a stainless steel form."

Hester has been awarded a number of commissions for residential, commercial and liturgical projects. With fellow Archway artist Liz Conces Spencer, he recently received a commission for the Flores Public Library. Hester has studied at the Bullseye Glass Company in Portland, Oregon, and with American masters Gil Reynolds and Dan Fenton. His exhibitions include shows at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and San Antonio School of Arts and Crafts.

"I have been fusing and slumping glass for over 23 years," Hester says. "I am sole proprietor of Genesis Art Glass Studio. A commission studio specializing in stained glass doors and windows and fused glass bowls and plates. I am in my 33rd year of building stained glass panels for residential, commercial and liturgical projects. All of my works are original designs created and fabricated by myself."

For more information about Hester, his art or his company, e-mail him at genesisartglass@aol.com  or visit his website at www.contemporaryglassintexas.com .

Joining Hester in this exhibition will be architect and painter Bede Van Dyke who will unveil a new series of acrylics titled “Fourteen Layers of Stains: Atmospheric Landscapes.”

"The landscapes are completely fluid and flowing, watercolor like, thus Atmospheric Landscapes," Van Dyke explains. "It is my hope that the viewer may feel the intended message of peace and of self expression within each piece. Further, that the work can help inspire each viewer in their own personal struggle with free, self expression and the willingness to make the world a better place. These pieces reflect a need need to contrast/counteract the violence and chaos of the world.”

For more information about Van Dyke, his art or upcoming projects, e-mail him at bede@bedevandyke.com  or visit his website at www.bedevandyke.com.

Van Dyke, a Chicago native and University of Houston graduate with a degree in architecture, has always been an organic, green, minimalist -- using and promoting alternative energies since the early 1970s -- who likes to build what he designs. Returning to Texas in 2006, Van Dyke has devoted the majority of his time to music, art projects, and personal architectural interests.

Working in such diverse media as acrylic on canvas, photography, steel, pastels, monoprinting, and watercolor, Van Dyke's work has shown numerous times at the Muskegon Museum of Art in Muskegon, Michigan, the Holland Area Arts Council in Holland, Michigan and locally at the Arts Alliance Center in Clear Lake. His work has been featured in one person shows at the Gallery M2 in Houston and the Third Stone Art Gallery in Fennville, Michigan. Currently, his work is on display at Archway Gallery.

Archway Gallery is located at 2305-A Dunlavy in the Montrose/River Oaks area of Houston. For more information about the Hester/Van Dyke exhibition or other Archway Gallery events, call 713-522-2409 or visit the Web site at www.archwaygallery.com . Archway gallery is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5 p.m.

Pictured above:  Gene Hester: "Pennzoil."