24 MAY 2025 By Michael P. Murphy There was plenty of color on Camelback Road in early April, and no wonder, as the Shemer Art Center’s sixth annual Art in the Garden event was in full bloom. Twenty talented artists were on hand to display, sell, and demonstrate their mediums. A dean at ASU, Kristen Mickelson, began creating rainbow glass designs seven years ago when she was looking for something to do on the weekends. She took a stained-glass class at Southwest Art and fell in love with it, which led to an interest in other mediums. Now, she works with stained, mosaic, and fused glass. With the leftovers, she makes jewelry – nothing goes to waste. Kristen said that participating in Art in the Garden is a special experience. “I love the vibe and the atmosphere,” she said. “The jazz music is playing, and the customers are amazing. They know the art, and it’s just a beautiful location.” Velma Barder makes it no secret that, at age 93, it’s vital to keep one’s mind active. That’s why she has been painting for 40 years. She works with acrylic and watercolor, but she favors oil painting. Her illustrations are varied, but her California seashore painting holds a special place in her heart. Velma replied interestingly when asked about her favorite part of Art in the Garden. “Speaking with friends and having them see my work for the first time,” she said. “They know I’m a painter, but they’ve never really seen my work!” Evelyn Gholson worked on mosaic art for many years, but a vacation overseas influenced her to change her artistic direction to hand-woven Italian scarves. “I was in Italy several years ago,” she said. “I saw a scarf and loved it, so I thought, ‘I can do this,’ not realizing when I came back to the States how difficult it really is.” She learned to combine two fibers to make them work. She’s been creating these accessories for 10 years now and doesn’t know anyone else who practices the art form. “Or maybe nobody is as crazy as I am,” she laughed. She continues to be an enthusiastic supporter of Shemer Art Center. “They’re bringing art to the community. It’s a big jewel in Phoenix. I love to promote the arts. This is a great place with great staff.” Shemer has some exciting news: Fundraising for Phase Two of the Expansion and Legacy campaign has passed $920,000, which is close to 75 percent of its initial $1.5 million goal. The center hopes to begin planning the new building, which will provide extra space for adult and youth art classes, workshops, and expanded summer camps, as well as extra storage space, office space, and restrooms. “We are now accepting reoccurring monthly donations and appreciated stock, and we’re excited about confirming donors who have utilized the center,” President and Executive Director Shonna James said. “We have generations of residents who used to come here, and now their grandkids are visiting. It’s important to include their names as part of this legacy forever in Arcadia.” Shemer is selling bricks, which some donors will use to honor passed loved ones and beloved pets. The center has also confirmed that two of its art studios will be named, one after former neighbor and instructor Pat Bush and another after Betty May and her family, who have been in Arcadia since 1963 and involved with the Shemer since 1983. Shemer also added four new board members to the roster in April. Ali Ozer is the managing broker at Coldwell Banker Realty, overseeing luxury and residential agents. Bret Stein is a senior investment advisor at PNC Institutional Asset Management, managing portfolios for institutions like charities, unions, and corporations. Mark Tate is the founder of Tate Studio Architects. A former artist and sculptor, his firm now focuses on custom residential designs across the U.S. Arcadia’s own Crystal DeVelis retired from a long career in medical records and transcription. She has taught at Gateway Community College and volunteers with organizations like Lucky Dog Rescue and the Fraternal Order of Real-Bearded Santas. shemerartcenter.org Springtime, art and legacy come together at the Shemer Evelyn Gholson Kristen Mickelson Velma Barder The jazz music is playing, and the customers are amazing. They know the art, and the Shemer is a beautiful location.

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