| The Michael Steven Gallery is one of the newest
offerings in
Lincoln, Kansas, a community that is rapidly becoming
an art and history destination. The gallery occupies a portion of the Village
Lines shop and shares the same hours.
Michael's studio is behind the artist's home a few blocks
away and is not normally open to the public. Michael is creating wonderful
functional art from laminated wood. He has a degree in visual communication
from the Art Institute of Houston and has worked as a commercial artist,
but his work has a whimsical sense and energy which reminds me of grassroots
art.
Michael began woodworking through building stairs, a craft
which he says provided a link between his art training and woodworking.
His named his first concept table, "The Canyon Contour".
We were introduced to Michael Steven Beggs in February,
by well known Lincoln grassroots artist, Jim Dickerman, whose Soaring
Heart Gallery is located next door to the Michael Steven Studio.
The new Michael Steven Gallery was opened this summer
on Lincoln's main street following a successful exhibit at the the
Village Lines. The space used for the new wood sculpture gallery was formerly
a barber shop and Michael joyfully points to the spot where the gangster
Pretty Boy Floyd once received a haircut.
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