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An ongoing exhibition at a local gallery lends a lot of truth to the saying; talent runs in the family.

In this case ‘the family’ has taken over the underground exhibit space at the Wyoming Area Creative Arts Community center in Wyoming and the breadth of artwork on display until October 17 is honestly extensive.  Some pieces are wrought from stone, some from wood and others are handcrafts like quilting and cutwork,  that would be right at home in a sweepstakes ribbon grouping at the State Fair.

David Freemore, a volunteer and jack-of-all-trades with the Wyoming Area Creative Arts Community, explained that he got the idea to do a family themed  “artists tree” ( say it quickly—artistry) show. He and wife Jan reside in the former Wyoming Township area that is now City of Wyoming. Their household is an expression of a life filled with all the arts, as they both had parents who instilled art as part of daily existence.  

David and Jan, who serves as treasurer for WACAC, gathered up 13 family members’ works of art.  The full circle aspect of  the Artists Tree is the pieces were for the most part, gifts from one family member to another and each one came for a personal purpose.  

You can enjoy the inspiring pieces and images for free, at Hallberg Center on East Viking Boulevard.  
“Our walls at home are very bare now,” David joked.

There also is an exhibit on the top floor that runs through October 16 and features works by Terri Huro and Nicole Hoekstra.  

The lower level is  mainly dedicated to WACAC members’ works and their display.  It’s also where art classes are offered to the public.

Hallberg Center is at 5521 East Viking Boulevard, Wyoming and is open Thursday and Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

David and Jan’s sisters, children and grandchildren created everything on display in the Artist’s Tree show. Exhibit contributors  are: Jack Hearle, Vi Hearle, John Freemore, Delbert Freemore, Wyatt Hanson, Becca Haider, Kurtis Haider, Kami Haider, Jadelyn Hanson, Amber Hanson and matriarchs Lorraine Wesley and Tressa Hewson.  

The show includes David’s dad’s collections of small figures or talismans he made out of agate.  As a carpenter, Delbert  taught David about power tool use.  David gravitated towards wood pyrography where he puts the most amassing designs into a slice of cedar.  He slices the wood, dries it and then lets whatever image that’s in there, speak to him. He’s been at this since 1988.

Jan recalls not particularly feeling the muse for painting or drawing,  but she enjoys  handcrafts (quilting) and her arts passion lies in music.   There’s been a new fusion taking shape with the nearby United Methodist Church in Wyoming and the Hallberg Center, using performance space in the church and afterwards holding reception events at the center. She hopes this  synergy continues.

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