The Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit opened Sunday, February 8th showcasing artwork of many talented artists from across the state and will also feature demonstrations presented by 29 Texan artists over the next two weeks, Starting Monday, February 9th. Opening demonstrations will include Tammy Barr of Fort Davis, Mary Stanley and Leslie Gilbreath, both of Brownwood.
Below are photos and biographies of each artist.
Tammy Barr will be demonstrating metal clay jewelry. Barr is a Brown County native with deep family roots in the area. She grew up grew up in a farming/ranching family growing peanuts and raising cattle and was also active in rodeos and stock shows during her school years. A graduate of Early High School, she earned an Agribusiness degree from Sul Ross State University. After graduating from college, she moved to the city but longing to return to a slower pace of life moved back to Brown County.
Barr has always enjoyed making things and has dabbled in painting, stenciling, glass etching, sewing and beading. Over time she began designing and making jewelry as a hobby. She discovered metal clay by accident while visiting a bead store in Waco. After taking one class, Barr was hooked. She has worked in precious metal clays since then and found the possibilities endless.
“My western roots are displayed in much of the jewelry I make. I have found a niche in the ranching community making jewelry with a ‘tooled leather’ background and adding cattle brands or initials,” said Barr. “I love the creative process that metal clays affords me. Whether I’m adding a cattle brand or just making a unique design customized for a client, a little bit of the county girl’s heart and soul is molded in every piece of jewelry.
Barr Currently lives in Fort Davis, Texas and attends a few shows each year with her jewelry. She is married to Mike Barr (a Coleman native) who is currently a Special Ranger with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers.
Leslie Gilbreath is a Brownwood native and will be demonstrating painting mermaids.
When not running her antique and collectible shop Ricochet Antiques, located in Brownwood, she loves to indulge in her hobby of painting, especially mermaids.
Mary Stanley, owner of the Turtle Restaurant, will be demonstrating marzipan sculpting.
Mary Stanley and her husband David opened the Turtle Restaurant five years ago in downtown Brownwood. She is the Gelato Artisan and chocolatier and crafts well over sixty different flavors of gelato and sorbetto to fill the 16 pans of the gelateria’s case. She has studied chocolate making with master chocolatier Jean-Pierre Wybauw, and the art of entremets with Spanish master Ramon Morato. Mary and David Stanley are members of Slow Food, USA and a Community Partner of The Texas Wine and Food Foundation.
