SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTS: Staci Christine Powers, A deaf artist

free reception: September 14, 2019 2:00 – 4:00 pm

The Spotlight on the Arts at the Hallet Oak Gallery for September will be featuring mixed-media drawings and acrylic paintings of a contemporary artist, Staci Christine Powers.

Staci Powers is a talented artist who never realized she was deaf until a teacher informed her so at the age of 14. Her parents realized her artistic ability at a young age when she drew pictures to communicate with them. Through her ability to read lips and use sign language, she has become a successful artist and teacher.

After overcoming her hearing adversity, she is now proud to acknowledge her deafness. Powers explains, “Just as music can evoke emotions, colors and images also can evoke emotions. For those people who live without sounds in their lives, visual images fill the void left by the absence of sounds. So when you look at my paintings, imagine the “sounds” that they attempt to create with their colorful images: purple dress, orange hair, trees, etc.” Then notice the poems which accompany each painting; they enhance the emotions.

A graduate of Texas Tech with a Master of Art Education degree, Staci Powers says three artists have influenced her artwork: Hollis Sigler, Carmen Lomas Garza, and Faith Ringgold. Through these artists, who had each overcome difficult challenges, she was able to discover how art profoundly expresses real life experiences. Her works and poems are works in progress. She says they enable her to “find the sound with my eyes.”

This inspiring exhibit will remain on display through September 28th. All Spotlight exhibits are free and open to the public. Hallet Oak Gallery, 115 N. Main St., Hallettsville, TX 77964. For more information visit www.halletoakgallery.com or call 361-217-7030.