November in the Gallery
The Story Comes Full Circle: Guest Artist Allison Norfleet Bruenger by Ann Miller Titus
Each piece of jewelry by Allison Norfleet Bruenger begins a story...a story of beauty, a story of connection, a story of power. Her work is inspired by nature and by the beauty of the female form, drawn with ink in a sketchbook many times over, creating a blueprint for each layer and each element that will be represented in the piece. This meticulous preparation lays out all the details for the metalwork, painting and beadwork that will follow. The results are stunning pieces of wearable art but the story is hardly complete. For Allison, the story comes full circle when people see the work and when their experiences and their perceptions fuse with her intentions and the piece becomes a point of connection. Allison codifies the collaborative process by sharing the sketchbook blueprints with each customer and having them sign the sketches of the piece they have chosen. They take home a “one of a kind” piece of jewelry and a promise that their purchase represents both the artist and themselves.
This process of connecting at such a deep level with patrons often serves as inspiration for future work. One collector shared that they stored their necklaces in glass covered shadowboxes hung on the wall making it possible to enjoy the jewelry as art even when it was not being worn. This inspired Allison to begin building elaborate, storied assemblages that would house a single piece of jewelry until it was worn. These assemblages allow Allison to explore a variety of unexpected materials such as amber colored electrician’s hot glue to represent honey or cut leather as flower petals, surprising and delighting the viewer.
And so these expertly crafted pieces of wearable art serve as more than adornment but also as a means of connecting the artist and the patron through shared story. We invite you to experience this extraordinary work which will be on exhibit at the Alliance Art Gallery throughout the month of November.
An Artists’ Playground: November Spotlight Artist Debra Scoggin-Myers By Ann Miller Titus
Several years ago, retired art teacher Debra Scoggin-Myers, moved her art studio into a newly built “shed” on her farm property in rural Lewis County, Missouri. Today, this large and well accommodated space functions as her playground... a place to disengage from family, gallery, and real estate responsibilities and to lose herself in the creative process. Deb works in several mediums including acrylics, watercolors, and pastels. Her studio space allows her to set up work stations in each corner of the room and the opportunity to have several pieces in progress at the same time. Deb finds this multi-tasking to be a catalyst stating that “the more you paint, the more ideas you get”. Currently she’s exploring the possibility of capturing memory. Her childhood of growing up on a farm provides a rich context for this new work where she is stretching her composition and design skills by presenting ideas in a more abstract form. The results are vibrant, textural and dreamlike.
Deb’s play is not without purpose. She is always wanting to find ways to get better. That pursuit of excellence has gained her recognition both regionally and nationally. While validation from professional peers is welcomed, for Deb the real test of achievement comes when someone sees her work and finds joy and beauty and a sense of the wonderful life we are given.
During the months of November and December, Deb and jeweler Mary Beth St. Clair will be collaborating on some very special creations. Opening Reception
An opening reception for these two artists will be held on Saturday November 8, 2025 from 4:00 until 7:00. There will be a artist’s talk at 6:00 and a free drawing will be held for a piece of Debra’s work at 6:30. You do not have to be present to win...simply stop by the gallery anytime on Saturday to fill out a ticket. This event coincides with the Downtown Hannibal Art Walk is is free and open to the public.
