KINGMAN — In a town accustomed to the steady rumble of freight trains rolling through, “vibrations” is a familiar concept. But at the Kingman Center for the Arts, the word takes on an entirely different meaning as local artists interpret the theme on canvas, in photographs, and through abstract expression. The gallery’s current show, Vibrations, explores how movement, sound, and energy can be translated into visual art.
One of the most striking inspirations came from artist Piper Ballou, whose piece “Earth Beat” was shaped by an unforgettable encounter in Jamestown, North Dakota.
“We visited the National Bison Museum,” Ballou said. “These are magnificent creatures. I felt like they needed to be running or stampeding, because their vibrations on the earth is what it’s all about. Hence the name ‘Earth Beat’ for the painting.”
The show’s opening reception drew a substantial crowd—so large that browsing the nearly 60 pieces became a challenge. With vibrations as the central theme, many artists gravitated toward subjects involving sound and movement.
Music played a noticeable role. Jonny Hoffman explored the vibrations of a violin, while Louis Tellez used geometric abstraction to create visual “vibrations” for the eye. Even the desert made an appearance, with Pam Hessey’s rattlesnake’s warning shake serving as inspiration for her entry.
Water also emerged as a popular motif. Though most works were traditional paint‑to‑canvas, photo artist Nancy Lea contributed a piece that blended music with the shimmering motion of a mountain stream.
“This picture is entitled ‘Banjo Music’ because I think that if you could visualize what banjos sound like, it would look very much like this,” Lea said.
Her photograph captures objects resting beneath crystal‑clear water, transformed by midday sunlight and the rippling current.
“To shoot water like this, you have to do it at high noon when there is enough light to penetrate the water,” she explained. “The light and the current transform ordinary rocks and grasses under the stream into these colors and patterns.”
The Vibrations exhibit runs through October 3 at the Kingman Center for the Arts on Beale Street. The show offers a lively and imaginative look at how artists interpret the unseen forces that move both the world and the human experience.
