As part of our 70th anniversary year, Valley Art Gallery is delighted to present the work of two well-known local artists: the distinctive and beloved ceramics of Gerry Wallace and the colorful abstracts of Phil Simon. Both have ties to the gallery’s long history.

Phil Simon
In my daily practice of painting, I try to create works that challenge and provoke the viewer’s perceptions, as well as my own, about some aspect of this world we live in...and remain open to the task imposed by refinements of insight, at times disturbing, often illuminating, that come from encounters with intense beauty...beauty that may also possess an element of something dangerous. What is true in our lives seems to refine itself down into a succession of valued moments that burn as a hard, gem-like flame in our awareness. If I can continue to engage my imaginative curiosity, and from there be willing to take risks with the discoveries that come, then I consider it a moderate success and I’ve done my job.

Gerry Wallace
Gerry began doing ceramics after a painting career of many years. One of her first ceramic shows was with Freddy Moran (a well known quilter) at Valley Art Gallery some 30 years ago. Since then she has shown her ceramics at Orinda Books, in the Association of Clay and Glass Artists shows and galleries in Walnut Creek, Davis, Pasadena, and Ohio. Having just celebrated her 85th birthday, she is still able to work in her studio almost every day.

Gerry states, "I’m looking forward to showing my work during Valley Art Gallery's 70th Anniversary.  I plan to bring a variety of work — some older designs that I probably exhibited there 30 years ago. Now I do many more painterly mugs, necklaces, bowls, etc., which I will also bring."