Art Exhibit – “Mother and Child Reunion” at Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’Arte August 11, 2007

You will journey back into time-honored elegance and will live vicariously as a lord or lady of the Renaissance when you experience the creations of Karen Hall-Nitz. The magnificence of the old world masters is honored as Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’ Arte welcomes back Karen Hall-Nitz at an artist’s reception beginning at 7pm to 10pm on Saturday, August 11, 2007 at Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’Arte, located in the old Collin County Prison at 115 S. Kentucky Street in downtown McKinney.

Drawing on inspiration from travels to Europe, with a concentrated focus on Italy, the artist uses various imaginative techniques to create her exquisite works of art. Whether a tapestry or a painting on canvas, Hall-Nitz’s masterpieces are heavily textured and layered with rich, jewel-tone colors in oil and acrylic paints. Favorite subjects for Hall-Nitz include angels, cathedrals, and period-style portraits as she pays homage to the classic masters of the time.

In “Mother and Child Reunion” the viewer can almost hear the harps and feel the cool breezes of heaven as a mother and her angelic-like infant gaze lovingly downward to protect and guide a young shepherd boy alone in the fields. The jeweled-neck and styled hair of the young lady in “Old World Beauty” clearly demonstrates the sophistication and privilege belonging to an aristocracy gone by.

A commercially successful artist for over 15 years, Karen Hall-Nitz and her husband and partner, Roger Nitz, are owners of K&R Artworks. They specialize in creating dynamic visual and dramatic environments for residential and commercial clients. K&R Artworks has received awards and acknowledgments including 2006 Parade of Homes Best Craftsmanship, 2005 Best of Show and were featured artists at the 2007 Parade of Homes in Frisco. They are generous contributors of their work to the various charity events sponsored by the Love Life Foundation, supporting at-risk and abused children of Collin County. Gallery owner, Carrie Cameron Garner, is one of the founders of the Love Life Foundation (www.lovelifefoundation.com).

Recovering from a very recent stroke, Karen’s love of art and belief in her work has made her more determined than ever to move forward with this event. The exhibit will be a full and splendid celebration of her work, with several new, breathless pieces along with her repertoire of favorites. “This exhibit is deeply personal and means so much to me,” says Hall-Nitz.

Please join our celebration of community and the arts and plan to spend an evening in downtown McKinney. Live entertainment by The Quinten Hope Trio, wine and finger foods await gallery guests. Galleria d’Arte is very pleased to announce the much anticipated opening of the MeSo Wine lounge, located on the first floor of the prison. Specializing in boutique wines and premium beers, MeSo is the perfect accompaniment to an evening celebrating the visual arts.

The old prison is also home to Studio Duende and Aristeia Gallery, on the second and third floors of the prison. Continuing to embrace local and regional artists, these two new art galleries feature McKinney residents' paintings, jewelry, and, sculpture.

Co-sponsors of the evening are A Twist of Lime, Alternative Furnishings, BLING!, Cadillac Pizza Pub, Market Square Antiques, Market Street, MeSo Wine Lounge, and Poppy’s Garden Café.