The Art of Kelly Hebert at Villa Nova
If you are a fan of beautiful things, and delicious things, then there is a place beckoning to you during the month of December. I had the pleasure of attending the First Friday art show at Villa Nova Restaurant on Arctic Boulevard in Anchorage last week.
Featured this month is Kelly Hebert. an Anchorage artist and art instructor at Polaris K-12 School, and adjunct professor at U.A.A.
His strongest artistic influences include American Magic Realists, such as Alex Colville and Andrew Wyeth for their portrayal of commonplace imagery that reveals the beauty and mystery of everyday life.
This raven was the first image to catch my eye, and remains my personal favorite. Ravens were only a rare sighting on the east coast during my childhood, and my love of them was unusual. After moving to Alaska, I found myself both literally and figuratively surrounded by the Raven clan. Much of Hebert’s work featured birds, and all was quintessentially Alaskan.
Villa Nova did a fabulous job hosting the evening. I indulged in an unbelievably decadent carrot salad (Decadent carrots? It’s true!), king crab spinach dip with warm pita triangles, and amazing calamari. If you have never eaten there, it is an experience not to be missed. Owner and Chef Georgio, born in Taormina, Sicily, pursued his life’s passion for cooking at the Culinary Institute of Milan, Italy, and at the Cordon Bleu in France. The menu and the wine list are exquisite to say the least.
My meal was made more wonderful by charming people, and a visual feast to accompany the gastronomic one. An abandoned love seat in a birch forest; a raven and Canada goose in a stare match; a southcentral Alaska beach walk; and an undulating mango sunset serving as the luminous backdrop for towering black spruce and classic Anchorage rooftops. I was entranced.
“I’m trying to say what I’ve seen, what touched me inside, and how I feel. Not because any of those things are remarkable but because life itself is remarkable,” said Hebert. “We all have our transcendent moments. They’re worth sharing and they’re worth celebrating.” You can enjoy his unique and beautiful visions at Villa Nova until the end of the month.
I love ravens, too (all corvids, in fact), but I won’t be getting to Anchorage by the end of the month. Thanks for sharing at a distance, Jeanne.
I love Kelly’s work. Anchorage is lucky to have so many great artists.
A visit to Villa Nova is definitely in my future. I like the paintings even from the distance and lighting in your article. Now I want to see them up close and personal. Thanks!
And the food is pretty good, too.
wow!
I like that raven painting too!
Love ravens, even when they are making fools of me…
Well,jeez, I can make a fool of myself all by lonesome too
when they are making A FOOL of me
Thank you for the chance..to hear about..and see..some of the most beautiful, evocative work. Our earths people..need the artists, the makers of music..and the humanitarian thinkers. This was a true treat..and..Ravens..have touchéd my life as well. Once in Juneau,..a raven..on a distant beach strand..walked near..but..not too near..and called out the name of an Oregon indian boarding school..”Chammawa”..at least 6 or seven times. Who trained him..and when..I shall never know..but..it has ..touched my soul..for almost 20 years. Thank you..for allowing us all..this visual gift.
Very nice! Thanks for sharing.