On Display: Embracing nature, spirituality through silver

For C. Ruth Neudahl, art is a way to represent a connection to nature and spirituality.

Neudahl, or Xopa - a shamanic name which she uses to sign all her metal work - originally studied as a classically trained painter and graphic artist in the upper Midwest of Minnesota and Missouri. After years as a corporate and government web graphic artist and designer, she returned home to Mid-Missouri and took a bold step in 2015, opting to go to school in Santa Fe for silver-smithing and silver jewelry design to become the independent artist she always wanted to be.

Her view on her work is personally infused with mysticism and animism. Studying spirituality has informed her work, while intentionally not lifting design or religious iconography from other indigenous culture's imagery. She strives to make her own visual mythos and to connect with the source.

"As an artist, it is important to me to create work in multiple mediums that convey a sense of the divine," she said. "I am attracted to visuals of nature, pattern and repetition that may allude to underlying forces that act upon a piece. This is not a reference to any particular religion, but a spiritual nod to the interconnectivity that we all experience at one time or another. This is the only process that makes sense to me."

As a many-media artist, she also draws, paints, designs stained glass and sculpts - bronze, steel and clay. Find Xopa and her online studio on Facebook at facebook.com/xopa123 and on Instagram as @designs_by_xopa.

"What truly matters is that we are all a part of nature, to be kind, and to embrace the intangibles of love, joy and transcendence," she said. "I thrive on change - I work in a variety of mediums including drawing, painting, book illustration, metal fabrication, silver-smithing, fine jewelry, photography, bonsai and occasionally stained-glass design. It's all a joyful pursuit."

Mid-Missouri art happenings

The Lake Arts Council and "Arts at the Lake" will begin its fourth annual Art for the Seasons Show on Aug. 31 at the Porto Cima Yacht Club at Sunrise Beach. Setup will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the show will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. Each artist will be assigned an 8-by-10 space where they can display pamphlets, printed materials and other items. For more information about registration, contact the Lake Arts Council at 573-374-9297 or email [email protected].

The Lake Arts Council and the Lake Area Camera Club will present Photo Quest 2019, an amateur photography contest and exhibit, on Aug. 10 at Stone Crest Mall in Osage Beach. To find out more, including category information and specifications for submissions, visit artsatthelake.com.

Under the streets of Columbia, Art Underground Downtown offers classical art training for all ages in both a historic and art-filled atmosphere. Modern calligraphy classes will begin soon for teens and adults, with classes set for 5-8 p.m. July 26 and 9 a.m.-noon July 27. This workshop will be taught by Kate Peiffer, an artist who was featured in "Altar'd State" and author of "Bible Journaling for the Fine Artist." For more information, call 573-355-2255.

Tune in to JCTV to see Rick Jey, also known as JCAC member Jerry Ricker, host "Spotlight On The Arts," a 30-minute interview of one artist, "Mid-Missouri Art News," which features two guests in 15-minute interviews, and "Quilting Inside and Out." Find JCTV on CenturyLink and Mediacom, as well as on YouTube.

The JCAC Featured Artist through Aug. 7 will be artist Kathleen Dake. You may view a collection of Dake's artwork at the Department of Motor Vehicles, 1617 Southridge Drive. Also, find her as featured artist at the JCAC website, jeffersoncityartclub-missouri.com.

Artist Gary Cadwallader has very basic design, drawing and watercolor demos on YouTube, using regular watercolors; look for the G logo. Another artist, Larry Carver, released a series of instructional videos to walk people through his most requested paintings one element at a time, allowing viewers to produce their own versions. Find the videos on Facebook on Cindy Powell Carver's page.

Columbia Palette (Plein Air Painting) meets each week to paint in different places. Group members are of different backgrounds and experiences. All benefit from this sharing of ideas, techniques and materials. Painters primarily work alone. Painting as a group gives each member a chance to interact with artists, to hear their encouragement and recieve constructive criticism. These artists are plein-air painters, and the group paints outdoors as often as possible. Find out more at columbiapalettepainting.weebly.com.

Through Aug. 6, the Capital Arts Gallery "Creative Collaboration" exhibit will have art made by groups of artists, not just one artist. This collaboration of multiple artists opens new perspectives on the same themes. A reception will be held from 1-4 p.m. today at CAG, 1203 Missouri Blvd.

The Columbia Art League "Members Summer Open" is on display through Aug. 9. This exhibit features the artwork of the many members of CAL, and it is open 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at 207 Ninth St. in Columbia. Call 573-443-8838 for more details. Starting Aug. 3 and running through Oct. 8, the Columbia Art League will host "The Child Within," where artists explore the aspects of the child that still remains after reaching adulthood.

Artist David Carter will be the Sedalia Visual Art Association Featured Artist through Aug. 18. The association maintains a rotating art exhibit at Sedalia City Hall, 200 S. Osage Ave.

The association meets at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the annex to the Central Bank building, 403 W. Broadway Blvd.

An exhibit will be at Goddard Gallery of Daum Museum of Contemporary Art, State Fair College in Sedalia through Aug. 18. For more information, call 660-458-6575 or 660-238-6242, or email [email protected] or [email protected].

The Village Art Studio's "Summer Art Camps" for 2019 are ongoing. All camps are geared toward ages 6 and older. Each camp is $125 per session. It runs 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 1-4 p.m. For July 15-19, the theme will be Lakeside Summer; July 22-26 is Ole' Mexico. For July 24-28, the focus will be on CreaTeen for Middle School and High School. Both studios offer birthday parties for all ages at 1502 E. High St., Suites 40 and 60. Call Ann for more information at 573-230-1414.

The Mid-Missouri Art Alliance of Ashland is hosting its Summer Art Show Series, beginning with "Two To Tango." The gallery is located at 115 E. Broadway, Ashland, and can be reached at 573-657-0711 or [email protected].

Jimmy Mustion is a professional artist, who is involved in area organizations and galleries.