Works of potter, woodworker spotlighted this month at Hannibal Alliance Art Gallery

HANNIBAL, Mo. — For the first time in the 20 years of its existence, the Hannibal Alliance Art Gallery will be spotlighting two member artists.

Besides showing their work, they will be combining their skills to create collaborative pieces. A pair of artists will be featured every two months, and the work will be on display throughout that time during which they may be adding more work.

The first pair of spotlight artists is Ron Cook, a potter, and Drew Sutor, a woodworker. They have worked together to create pieces that enhance the talents of the other. Their collaboration has pushed their skill and creativity into new directions.

Cook will be retiring this summer and plans to concentrate his time and energy on new styles and colors, stretching his artistic abilities. Some of this new work will be based on the years of sketches he has accumulated.

Information about Sutor will be revealed next month.

The April guest artist is Ken Nichols from Columbia. Nichols is an acrylic painter who twists ordinary scenes, leaving the viewer looking for the story behind them. A little sci-fi, a little surrealistic and always interesting, Nichols is working on three themes: Fire and Trees, Portholes and Mummy Ants Stealing Candy.

Nichols only started painting about 20 years ago but has made his living as a full-time artist for the last five years and is especially known for his large-scale work.

The Alliance Art Gallery welcomed in March Adriana Brown, an interdisciplinary artist based in Hannibal who grew up in the Kansas City area. she attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City to study art and psychology. Brown uses a variety of different mediums in her artwork, primarily working with acrylic and watercolor.

Second Saturday Gallery Night will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, and provides a great opportunity to meet artists and enjoy refreshments. A free drawing will be held at 6:30 p.m. giving a piece of artwork away. The winner does not need to be present to win. This event is free is open to the public.