Two gutsy broads from Richardson exhibit photographs from their world travels in Farmers Branch

by BY SARAH SCOTT

"Westward HO!" combines images from Dallas and beyond with local pottery and folk artistry.

FARMERS BRANCH — Westward HO!, a photo exhibit by the Gutsy Broads of Creative Focus, runs Aug. 2-22 at the Manske Library. Along with the photography of former Richardson High School teachers Sarah Scott and Carol Stum, the works of potter Randy Findley and folk artist Cynthia Erdei will also be featured.

The public is invited to a reception, Sunday, Aug. 10, from 2 to 4 p.m.

The show travels with the Gutsy Broads from the Red Rocks of the American West across the Big Pond and then some to Western Europe, particularly Greece and Turkey.

Nature serves as the inspiration for most of the photography of the red rock area of the U.S. including Monument Valley, Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce, Zion and Sedona, AZ. Likewise, potter Randy Findley uses natural materials such as driftwood, feathers, stones and horse hair to create pottery which serves as a reminder of the heritage of the American West.

From the cool waters of Yellowstone Lake to the Tetons, the photographers stop over in Dallas before heading across the Atlantic to Western Europe. From England to France to Austria, Germany and Switzerland, the photography features landscapes and flowers similar to those painted by Erdei, who uses a German/Swiss style of folk art known as bauern malerei when she paints delicate florals on wooden plates, boxes, eggs and trays, also on display.

Traveling to Italy, France, Greece and Turkey, one finds scenes not unlike those in the U.S. countryside. The architecture and customs may change, but the beauty of the West, whether U.S. or European, cannot be denied.

This story was contributed by a member of the Pegasus News community.