JULY CREATIVE MIXER
JULY SALIDA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS CREATIVE MIXER
(SALIDA, Colorado) –The Salida Council for the Arts (SCFTA) invites the public to attend the monthly Creative Mixer at the Salida SteamPlant in both the Paquette and Diesslin Galleries on Thursday, July 11 from 5:30-7:00 pm featuring artist Mary Hansen Wolfe and musicians, The Wail n’ Hennies.
Held every second Thursday, the Creative Mixer is a free monthly public gathering of those interested in knowing more about the local arts scene in a casual social setting. Anyone with information to share about upcoming creative and art-related events is encouraged to give a brief announcement. Attendees are welcomed to introduce themselves and may find new friends and collaborators at the “Mixer.” Free hors’ de oeuvres, a cash bar, beautiful artwork, great conversation, and music are always in abundance.
Artist Mary Hansen Wolfe was born in Denver and was fortunate enough, as early as 4th grade, to take the city bus to the Denver Art Museum for some classes, and is grateful to her parents for their love of the visual arts.
After earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Colorado Mary joined the Peace Corps and spent two years in Brazil. She then worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Navajo Indian Boarding School dormitories in the Nazlini AZ. Afterward she worked for a special education program out of Steamboat Springs before earning her Masters degree in special education from UNC in Greeley CO, enabling her to teach elementary special education in Colorado Springs for 32 years, incorporating art into much of her teaching.
After retirement, Mary began doing more of her own artwork. She and her husband Tom moved to Salida 5 years ago where she finds the art community a wonderful resource and inspiration for her. She is currently teaching watercolor painting. She enjoys working in watercolor, oil, pastel, relief printing and most recently with gouache.
“Painting for me is an important part of my journey in life,” said Mary. “When I am painting, either in plein air or in the studio, I am slowing down my life and absorbing into my soul some of what is around me. This life offers us so many incredible gifts. Painting brings me, emotionally and spiritually into the present moments of my life and the beauty that is around us all. When others connect emotionally with my work, my love of painting becomes a vehicle for relationships with others. I treasure the journey that I am on. I am blessed when I can share any part of that journey with another person.”
The Wail’n Hennies began in 2017 when Eunice Collette and Francie Bomer met at the Coaldale Schoolhouse jam and discovered a mutual love for singing harmonies. They were joined by mandolin player, Jenny Varden, in 2018, and have performed locally since then.
In a range of styles from Americana to gospel, the Wail’n Hennies deliver an eclectic mix of covers, old and new, from the likes of Gillian Welsh, Tom Petty, Iris Dement, John Hartford, Tom Paxton, and Elephant Revival, as well as heartfelt and inspiring originals.
All three women have been members of other groups over the years, and possess a wide range of talent featuring strong vocals, rich harmonies, guitars, mandolin, and percussion. Aside from the play on words, their name (The Wail’n Hennies) was derived from the Urban Dictionary meaning of “Hennies” as, “amazing friends who will always be there for you.” It seems to fit!
