We will be celebrating 11 artists this month, many of which have decades of connections to the Hutchinson arts community!

Thursday, April 18th

5 pm to 8 pm

1125 N Main, Hutchinson

Beth Vannatta

Artist Statement/Bio

I grew up in rural Halstead, graduating high school in 1956. In 1969 I received an Art Ed degree from Fort Hays. I taught art at Hutchinson Senior High School from 1969 to 1996. I also taught a Jewelry Design class for 12 years at Hutchinson Community College. I then retired in 1999.

In 2019 we established Springdale Art and Nature Center here on my farm. It is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to teaching art methods and sharing love of nature.

This collection “The Wages of War” speaks of my deep anti-war sentiment. We are a nation enamored of war. It fills the coffers of the rich and the coffins of the poor. As a senior citizen I took sculpture classes at WSU where I cast the bronze pieces of this collection. The other sculptures are hand built ceramic, carved stone and forged-brazed copper. They all have pedestals.

HCC Lifelong Learning Silversmithing Class 

The HCC Lifelong Learning Silversmithing class was originally established by Beth Vannatta. The current class has been led by instructor Lori Martin-Price (former student of Beth Vannatta) since 2012. Students participate in the opportunity to learn the fun and rewarding media of metals and jewelry design.

Our ‘FAMILY’ group of repeat silversmithing artists(students) showing their creations are:

Debbie McCoy, Becky Vieyra, Gina Knight, Julie Graber, Lee & Patti Norman, Debra Ringler, Gwen McClenton, Erin Wheeler and Instructor – Lori Martin-Price