Farah Nieuwenhuizen

Farah Nieuwenhuizen

Farah Nieuwenhuizen has lived and traveled throughout Western Europe, Brazil, Canada, and the United States of America. These experiences laid the basis for her lifelong concern with cultural diversity.

She studied painting at the Escola de Belas Artes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, before she continued her studies in the visual arts at Washington University in St. Louis and at the University of Missouri in Columbia where she received her bachelor's degree in art education, K–12.

For twenty years she taught at Hickman High School in Columbia, where she was recognized as an outstanding teacher. She has written and reviewed art curriculum for the Columbia Public Schools. While teaching at Hickman High School, she became the major contributor to the production of the annual multicultural assembly.

Ms. Nieuwenhuizen has received several awards for her painting, batik, ceramics, jewelry, and fiber arts at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia and art shows at the Boone County National Bank and the Columbia Art League. Her artwork has been on display in several regional art exhibits. Also, she has taught art education at the University of Missouri's College of Education, where she received a High Flyer Award in fall 2001.

Imperial Topaz

Pendant

Smokey Topaz

Pendant

Faceted Smokey Topaz

Pendant

Moon Stone

Pendant

contact artist

India Marie Knowles

India Marie Knowles

For as long as I can remember there has been an artist within eager to break free and express herself. Occasionally I have found an outlet for my high need to create, but jewelry making has captured my imagination as nothing I have tried before. Since retiring from my private practice as a licensed professional counselor in 2002, what I began as a hobby has evolved into an addiction and is now a small business. Most of my work incorporates semiprecious gemstones and sterling silver or 14K gold-filled wire and findings. I also enjoy using lampwork and other handcrafted beads.

Most recently, however, bead embroidery has become my obsession. Gemstones, small freshwater pearls, tiny seed beads and bugle beads lend themselves to unlimited designs and color. I love allowing the patterns to evolve as I work rather than utilizing a plan. Pieces that are asymmetrical in design almost always prove to be gratifying to me, as I like seeing the final coming together of seemingly disparate components.

It is always a joy to see people wearing and apparently enjoying pieces I have made, and I am especially pleased when items are purchased as gifts. A song by Harry Chapin entitled “Mr Tanner” comes to mind when I consider my work. Mr. Tanner, the owner of a dry cleaning shop, loved to sing but was panned by critics in his first New York concert. The line, “He did not know how well he sang; it just made him whole” is a poignant theme in the song. As I look at the works of other jewelry artists, I do not know how well I create; it just makes me whole.

Items are available for viewing and/or purchase at
Columbia Art League in Columbia and Missouri Hawthorn Galleries in Springfield, Missouri, or by appointment (contact info below).

contact info:
Tel: 573-449-7754

contact artist