I.S College Art News: Artists Bring Color, Buyers to Corsicana on Navarro College Campus

By Janet Jacobs Special to the Corsicana Daily Sun

Corsicana — The Western Artists of America show and sale got under way with a packed house Friday morning at the Cook Center on the Navarro College campus. More than 50 artists brought all original pieces to the Corsicana for the event, and the work will remain on display until May.

Our intention each year is to bring all new art,” said Ed Copley, with the Western Artists of America. “That makes it exciting.”

The artists mingled Friday with buyers and volunteers, gallery representatives and college officials Friday morning, enjoying the attention of a bigger show now in its second year.

Judith Durr’s still-lifes of finely detailed beaded moccasins were among the works she brought to the show.

“I’m self-taught,” she said, explaining that much of her early training came from watching Bob Ross on public television. She began painting in earnest in 1989 and sold her first piece in 1990.

“I’ve never had a bad time in this business,” she said. Durr’s husband, Roger Kull, was also attracting attention with his amazing-looking three-dimensional leather pieces.

Tom Paulson’s work hung not just on one wall, but on many walls, since he’s both a painter and a carver of beautiful frames. One of his frames won “best presentation” in the competition.

Choosing to take a chance to become a full-time artist was a leap of faith, he said.

“It takes a lot of guts to quit cold turkey and do this,” he said. “But my frames are my bread and butter.”

Not only do the artists benefit from the show, but so does Corsicana, Copley said.

“This puts Corsicana on the map,” he pointed out.

Some of the artists reported having to stay as far away as Dallas because local hotel rooms were full, and antique stores and restaurants were noticing a big uptick in sales, as well.

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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “sound off” to this article? E-mail: Soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com

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