Western and Southwestern Art’ Exhibition

TSAC presents inspiring women artists: Nora Carroll, Eunice Hundley

Two special women artists will be featured this week during the ‘Western and Southwestern Art’ Exhibition at the Trinity Star Arts Council Gallery in downtown Fairfield. Selected pieces will be on display from Fairfield artist, Nora Carroll, and the late Eunice J. Hundley.

Everyone is invited to attend on Thursday, April 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Western Art of Nora Carroll features gorgeous horses and rodeo cowgirls demonstrating their riding skills.

“I’ve always loved horses,” she says. “Most girls played with dolls, but I played with horses. I couldn’t wait to get that dime from mom to buy another plastic horse! I had quite the herd.”

You can almost hear the thundering hooves in the bright, colorful acrylics featured in this exhibition. They capture the excitement of both competitive barrel racing and with freedom of horses in natural settings.

One quietly portrays a peaceful ‘Night Watch’ on horseback overlooking a velvety deep night sky.

The pieces remain true to the artist’s inner voice. Early in her artistic career, Nora was a practicing photographer.

Many readers in Freestone County enjoyed her news photos in the Freestone County Times, and later in the Teague Chronicle newspapers.

However, her subjects of choice were wildlife and nature. She was a member of the Professional Photographers of America and displayed her work at several galleries.

The first time Nora took up paints and brushes was ten years ago when she went to a Painting with a Twist event. “I am self-taught,” she said. “Learned a lot from YouTube videos.”

Carroll’s lone charcoal piece, ‘Kicking Up Dust’ brings her love of horses alive. It depicts five horses running toward the viewer. Each is distinctive in their markings, and bold personality.

Also featured in the exhibition is the late Eunice Jane Hundley, a distinguished artist known for her luminous pastel portraits of children and her evocative depictions of Native Americans, market vendors, and landscapes from Mexico and Guatemala. Her work, rich in cultural storytelling and emotional depth, has been widely sought after by collectors and galleries alike. Hundley’s artistic journey began in her teenage years when she attended summer classes at the Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. This early experience shaped her lifelong passion for capturing the vibrancy of human expression and cultural heritage through her art. Working primarily in pastels, oils and acrylics, she has created an impressive portfolio from intimate portraits to large-scale murals.

Her commissions included portraits of notable figures such as Pope John Paul II, commemorating his 1987 visit to San Antonio, as well as businessman Ross Perot, former FBI director William Sessions, Texas rancher Richard Bennett, and banking executive Robert Sawtelle. In addition to her portraiture, she was commissioned to paint murals for Six Flags Fiesta Texas, the Cibolo Nature Center, and private collections, including corporate and wildlife- themed works for businesses and hunting ranches.

Beyond painting, Hundley made a mark as a children’s book illustrator, creating artwork for major publishers such a McGraw-Hill / MacMillan, Ateneum Books, and Baker Book House. She has illustrated works for author Ken Thomasma, including Naya Nuki: Shoshoni Girl Who Ran and Soun Tetoken: Nez Perce Boy Tames a Stallion, which deepened her interest in Native American history. Her portraits of Sacagawea and her son, Pomp, have been featured along the Lewis and Clark Trail, with one of her iconic images serving as the cover art for the PBS documentary, The Journey of Sacagawea.

Hundley’s work continues to bridge history and artistry, celebrating the spirit and resilience of the people she portrayed. Whether through delicate pastel renderings, sweeping murals, or book illustrations, her art served as both a visual narrative and a timeless tribute to the cultures and histories she so beautifully brought to life.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Art Walk on Thursday, April 24th beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Also showcasing their artistic flair during the event will be the FISD Culinary Class, creating and serving delicious appetizers.

The TSAC Gallery is located at 115 S. Mount Street in Fairfield, Texas 75840.

For more information, visit online at trinitystarartscouncil. org