Hollywood resident Susana M. Nocquet-Lopez opened Ansu Gallery in Downtown Hollywood six years ago to share a love for the arts that she has cultivated since her childhood in Argentina, and the artist and gallery owner has not only found an outlet for her creative visions but also has provided other local artists with an opportunity to do the same.
Nocquet-Lopez specializes in hand-painted porcelain creations, which include murals on tiles and backsplashes and even “kissing time bells” for wedding receptions that signal for the bride and groom to kiss. And while she originally learned how to paint on canvases, Nocquet-Lopez said she grew curious about painting on porcelain after coming across artists in New Jersey using that art form. After they shared their techniques with her and after she traveled to Limoges, France to further perfect her craft, Nocquet-Lopez found her niche.
“I thoroughly enjoy painting on porcelain,” she said. “The surface is more seductive. It’s softer and more appealing.”
Nocquet-Lopez displays her original artwork at Ansu Gallery and also creates art from the ideas of others. Anyone who wants a particular picture painted simply has to bring his or her idea to Nocquet-Lopez and she will create it.
In addition to Nocquet-Lopez’s work, Ansu Gallery also features the work of other local artists, including painters, photographers and papier mache artists. More than a dozen are currently featured.
“I try to work with emerging artists – artists who aren’t well-known but want to be well-known,” she said. “It’s great because the artists all have their own style.”
And while she has resident artists always on display, Nocquet-Lopez also dedicates an area of the gallery to an artist that will show his or her work for one month. She kicks off the Solo Show the third Saturday of the month – which coincides with the Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk event – with a vernissage, or preview. She said the event is a great way for artists to gain exposure and a great way for residents to view beautiful art by local artists. She encourages artists to contact her if they are interested in showcasing their work.
“Ansu Gallery is a different kind of art gallery and a different kind of business that attracts people to Hollywood,” she said. “We’re getting a nice group of artists featured at the gallery.”
For more information about Ansu Gallery, located at 2028 Harrison St., visit www.ansugallery.com or call 954-454-5632 or 954-912-4914.
