Miniature art show at Ellen Rice Gallery Dec. 7
A one-day show featuring artist Ann Cooper’s one-of-a-kind, handmade, lighted miniature creations will bring holiday cheer from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, at the new Ellen Rice Studio, Gallery and Learning Center on the Cedar Neck Peninsula of Ocean View.
Cooper will share with guests her inspiration and intricate methods for creating remarkably realistic miniature beach cottage interiors or “happy worlds” as she calls them. Lit by miniature working chandeliers, candlesticks and even fireplaces, all bring out the special warmth of the Christmas season. Her lanterns also feature Ellen Rice paintings in miniature.
“I love her work,” said Ellen Rice. “Each piece draws you in. I can imagine any child or anyone still a child at heart will be captivated by Ann’s creations.”
A part-time resident of Bear Trap, Ann says her inspiration for creating miniatures came from her dad in childhood. “He taught me the love of miniatures. He loved model trains, and his train gardens were just beautiful.”
Her father was a mechanical engineer by trade and an artist by nature “His precision and attention to detail were remarkable. From the earliest age, I loved to ‘help’ my dad, arranging and rearranging the houses, trees and people in the garden while dad tinkered with his trains and tracks,” said Cooper.
Everyone is invited to meet Ann Cooper and perhaps bring home one of her creations or purchase them for special gifts. Fresh seasonal cakes, cookies, Ellen’s special hot apple cider, coffee and wine and cheese will be served.
The artist’s miniature displays will light up three rooms of the new Ellen Rice Studio, Gallery and Learning Center at 30370 Cedar Neck Road, Ocean View. The new studio is just past Big Fish Grill on the left.
For more information and directions, go to www.ellenrice.gallery or call 302-539-3405.
