The Galveston Art League has a unique exhibit from
Nov. 29 through Dec. 30: artwork created by five
University of Texas Medical Branch staff members.
Following is a brief overview of these artists and the
vibrant works they will display and offer for sale from
noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays at the
Galveston Art League Gallery, 2117A Postoffice St. in
Galveston.
• Mary Feldhusen, editor of the UTMB Health System
Friday Focus newsletter, studied studio art at St.
Edward’s University in Austin. She has painted for 22-
plus years ― primarily acrylic on canvas. In creating
her paintings, Mary says she likes to capture shapes
and colors while allowing the piece to evolve as she
observes the subject. She previously has shown her
artwork at other local venues.
• Christian Mikobi is a business coordinator for the
division of geriatric medicine. She works in acrylics on
canvas and has been painting commissioned pieces
for friends and family since elementary school. She
received honorable mention for the 2018 UTMB Earth
Day Art Contest.
• Rae Kretzmer, MS, RDN, is a nutritionist at the
UTMB Sealy Center on Aging. Rae has always loved
art, and her move to Galveston has inspired her to
create acrylic works on canvas and photography, including
artwork for this special exhibit.
• Christopher Fry, PhD, an assistant professor and
researcher for the Department of Nutrition and Metab olism,
has taken fluorescent pictures of muscle cells
for more than seven years. One of his photographs
was selected as a 2017 contest winner through Vector
Labs. He considers himself a professional muscle
biologist and amateur muscle artist. Chris uses techniques
that involve isolation of muscle stem cells, in
vitro culturing, and immunocytochemical detection via
fluorescent markers to make art out of science. His
Vector Labs winner, Skeletal Muscle Myofibroblast
Transition, a 36-by-24-inch photo on canvas, will be
exhibited at the Art League gallery.
• Jean Gutierrez, PhD, RD, LD, is an associate professor
in the Department of Nutrition and Metabolism
and also serves as program director for the MS and
dietetic internship program. Jean has exhibited her art
at galleries in Georgetown, Texas, and Ithaca, N.Y.,
and also has contributed artwork to a charity auction
to benefit multiple sclerosis research. Jean primarily
works in oil and jewelry-making; she is currently adding
silver and markers to her media repertoire. She
will display Beetle, a 16-by-20-inch oil painting, at the
Art League gallery.
In addition to their individual artworks being shown,
Christopher and Jean also will collaborate on a 36-by-
27-inch team piece entitled Fluorescent Labeling of
Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells.
The mission of the Galveston Art League, a
104-year-old nonprofit organization, is to promote visual
arts. The Art League promotes local artists and
offers many educational opportunities to the com munity
at large. It operates galleries on Postoffice
in Galveston and at 611 6th St. N. in Texas City. For
more information about the organization, its workshops,
membership, and opportunities to show your
support, please visit GalvestonArtLeague.com.
SUBMITTED BY: Mary Vinnedge 940-222-1958,
mvinnedge@gmail.com
Beetle by Jean Gutierrez
Skeletal Muscle Myofibroblast Transition by
Christopher Fry
