Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) News

For immediate release, August 06, 2010

Beads galore at Austin-Bergstrom

An exhibit paying homage to the unique beauty of beads and the product that occurs when they are artfully brought together is now on display at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Beads and beadwork of all types from the Austin Bead Society (ABS), ranging from vintage African trading beads to luscious hand made jewelry, are featured in the airport’s concourse showcases. There are historical and vintage bead collections like African Clay Pottery Beads, from P. Kaye Washington and Red Arabian Facial Veil adorned with silver beads, from Vonda Lee Adorno. There are contemporary items of elegance and sophistication, such as Dripping with Color, a bead embroidered necklace centered around an Australian boulder opal made by artist Nora Pero.

The display contains artwork and examples from over 20 Austin artists. Carol Jarrett’s Niobium Necklace is a modern, light weight, hand-forged, hand-anodized piece created in the ancient Egyptian style using the little known metal and element niobium. Artist Robynne Simons-Sealy created a complex geometric design bracelet with Cellini Spiral. Jane-Michael Stallings fashioned Rolex Chain Link Necklace with details that evoke an expensive watch band.

Along with artwork are didactic examples such as a work in progress illustrating the detail and intricacy of making beaded embroidery. It explains how each bead is picked up one at a time and stitched into place with fine needles and thread. An artful example is from artist Tamara Baldwin who stitched over 4,500 Delica beads to create, Cat Amulet Bag. There is artwork for children and the young at heart to see such as a four inch tall sculpture titled, Beaded Ladybug by artist Deborah Coughenour, Vera Dufour’s Beaded Cowboy Boot Purse and artist Michele Chesak’s Button Necklace.

In addition to showing traditional glass, clay, bone, wood and metal beadwork, the Austin Bead Society features a new media found in contemporary beadwork, polymer clay. “Polymer clay is a material that many artists are now using in jewelry due to its versatility to create a variety of shapes and gradient color,” said artist and ABS member Nora Pero. Artist Laura Zeiner uses the media to create and display Polymer Clay Face Bracelet, using her unique bead molded into a placid and tranquil face.

Exhibit includes:

Anitta Graff: Labordorite Necklace
Lisa Peters, Laura Zeiner: Midnight Sun Necklace
Carol Bradley: Amethyst & Silver Wire Wrap Bracelet
Brenda Posh: Kumihimo Necklace
Kathryn Lindholm: Ndebele Link Necklace
Laura Sturtz: Metal and Bead Chess Set
Kristina Seraphin: Lapis Lazuli Cabochon
B.J. Garrett: Crystal Bracelet
Karen Strain: Swarovski Crystal Heart Pendant
Louise Fisher: Amethyst and Citrine Necklace
Jennifer Erschabek: Swarovski Crystal and Silver Charlottes Necklace

The display is on exhibit through October 18, 2010 in the airport concourse showcases located across from gates 7-11 and in the area of the airport past security checkpoints, assessable to ticketed passengers only.

Other exhibits on display at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport:

Oh, the Places You'll Go! in the East Airside Gallery through October 2, 2010
Paintings, etchings, drawings and photos from the San Marcos Art League suggest the intriguing faces or places you might see in your journey through life.

Texas, Sunrise Sunset in the West Airside Gallery through August 12, 2010
Art from the Austin based Multicultural Artists Partnership, (MAP) captures the beauty in and around Texas sunrises and sunsets.
Interpretations range from dramatic sunset paintings of the countryside to photos of shadow and light on the water to whimsical representations of everyday life found during that special time of day.

Source: City of Austin