Oil painters, glassblowers, photographers, jewelers and woodworkers are just a few of the artists you’ll find in the Village of Salado, a center of artistic excellence located 50 miles north of Austin. During your visit, you’ll meet well-known regional, national, and international artists who strive for excellence as they create their latest work in their studios, giving you the opportunity to see the best of art up close and personal. Meet a few of the artists who make Salado a world-class destination for art lovers and enthusiasts.
Larry Prellop – land and seascape painter
When it comes to land and seascape paintings, there are few better in this artistic medium than Larry Prellop. A professional artist for over 50 years, Prellop’s paintings have been sold all over the world. Now he works his magic at his Prellop Fine Art Gallery, which he opened in 1995 after seeing how well his work was selling at Salado Art Gallery.
Kay Griffith is an abstract expressionist
Kay Griffith’s colorful, thought-provoking paintings have earned her a reputation as one of the world’s best abstract expressionists. An artist since the mid-1990s, Griffith’s paintings have been shown in art galleries and competitions across the country, Canada, Japan, and Europe. Luckily, you don’t have to travel the world to see Griffith’s inspiring work, as she has been working out of her Salado studio since 2003. Even then, Salado “had a reputation for having a wide range of original art that attracts clients from all over Texas, the country, and beyond.”
Bob Hargrove – painter, photographer and jewelry artist
An artist of many talents, Bob Hargrove has been a significant part of the Salado art scene since 1999. “I love the different aspects of all the different mediums I work in,” says Hargrove. “Photography is very precise and methodical, while oil painting is the opposite. I like to paint large and colorful annotations. Painting is much freer for me. Through jewelry, I can join people in their happiness.” An artist from a young age, he now draws inspiration from music, ancient mythology, and “seeing and hearing about the work that my fellow artists do here in Salado.” He first came to Salado for a summer job at a studio owned by Ann Benton, wife of founder Jim Benton, when he was 16. It was here that he learned the craft of jewelry making.
Michael Pritchett – artist and illustrator
It took only one visit to convince Michael Pritchett to open a gallery in Salado. “I absolutely fell in love with the creative community and decided to make Salado my home,” Pritchett said. “I didn’t know much (about the village) before I opened my gallery here, only that there was a collection of very talented artists throughout the community. Honestly, it was a utopia for artists making a living.” Pritchett, a former fashion designer and graphic artist, has painted with acrylic and oil paints, charcoal, colored pencil, graphite and pastels at the Sirril Art Gallery.
Holly Davis is an acrylic artist, illustrator and pyrographer
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamed of selling my art,” says Holly Davis, artist and owner of Uniquely Salado. An expert in acrylic paintings, pen and ink illustrations, and woodburning, Davis says she enjoys all forms of art, but she has a favorite. “I love my painting called ‘Rain,’ a contemporary abstraction that has texture and movement because it stimulates conversations, evokes emotion, and speaks to a time in my life that continues to this day,” she says.
Nature and the work of other artists are Davis’ muses for her own work, which you can see (along with Rain) at Uniquely Salado. Uniquely Salado, an artists’ cooperative, is a microcosm of Salado’s art scene, as it features art created by more than 30 local artists, from painters and photographers to carpenters and weavers. “Salado is a unique place that attracts many artists,” she says. “Wherever you go, you will find works of art. It’s a great place to find quality original artwork by locals who often create their artwork while you shop. In my gallery, the artwork is not reproduced from originals, but instead one-of-a-kind pieces at prices you can afford.”
