For the City Times

STEVENS POINT — Q Gallery’s March-April exhibition will have visitors looking up.

Opening on Tuesday, March 6, “Spring Up” features an overhead installation and spring-themed art, including a selection of hand-made Easter baskets. A public reception will be held at the gallery from 5:30 to 7:30 on Friday, March 9.

Graham Coulson, professional furniture designer and creator, chairs the new show.

“For a year, I’ve wanted to take advantage of the gallery’s 14-foot-high ceilings,” says Coulson, “AndI’m doing it for this show.”

“Bleeding Hearts” by Jessie Fritsch.

Master basket-maker, Elise Thornton, created several Easter baskets for the show. Each basket is a unique design or color and would be a unique, lifetime gift according to Thornton.

“My inspiration for this show comes from my anticipation of new life springing up from the earth,” said potter Jessie Ticknor. “My new ceramic forms take note of graceful buds beginning to open and soft, fresh colors. [I’m] hoping to capture an essence of the gentle, renewed spirits quietly waking up around us.”

Also creating numerous new pieces for the show is Erin Prais-Hintz.

“I don’t know about you, but I am tired of the blank, drab colors of winter,” said Prais-Hintz. “So I’ve found myself reaching for all the most colorful beads I can find. I made multiple necklaces and bracelets in a style that I call ‘This+That’ because there is a little bit of everything in them.”

Prais-Hintz also has a huge stockpile of artisan-made beads from around the world, in all mediums.

Bamboo by Dan Sivek

“It is time to stop hoarding them, so I made a series of necklaces nicknamed, “Take 5” because I pulled together an eclectic assortment of five art beads in each and invited them to play. Also, I created an assortment of everyday charm necklaces called “youBEyou” with hand-stamped positive messages to help us stay strong and powerful. Welcome Spring.”

Q Cooperative’s other members are also including the spring theme in some of their new work, including jewelry, paintings and prints, fabric, photography, and pottery.

Spring Up runs through early May, when Q will install its next exhibition.

Q Gallery is run by a cooperative of local and regional artists, accepted through a juried process. The gallery offers a range of fine art in painting, printmaking, photography, fabric, jewelry, clay, glass, furniture, lamps, and more – all handmade.

The gallery is located at 1108 Main Street in downtown Stevens Point. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 11-3, closed Mondays. Additional information can be found online at qartists.com.