Birt’s Bistro Restaurant on the Benevilla Surprise campus is excited to feature, in their Boutique, the works of 3 amazing local artists on display and currently for sale. Linda Oliver, Jackie Young and Marcia Steil all have multiple creations in the Boutique ranging from pottery to glass & acrylic art combinations to woven purses.
Linda Oliver grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and moved to Seattle, WA in her forties where she lived for 25 years. In 2010 she moved to Sun City West discovering a love of pottery and all things clay. She is currently a member of the WHAM Art Center in Surprise and the Sun City West Clay Club where she teaches beginning clay classes. Linda loves the outdoors, dancing, spending time with friends and family, and of course creating pottery.
Jackie Young’s artistic journey began at the age of 10 when she won a blue ribbon at the Minnesota State Fair for her oil painting of a woman sweeping a cat off the porch stairs. It was an unusual start to a career including scholarships to the Minneapolis Institute of Art and later the Chicago Art Institute. Jackie has studied art in various colleges and universities in Idaho, Washington and California. Jackie teaches at various locations in the West Valley and oversees painting parties at Westbrook Village. Jackie and glass artist, Ron Pfeiffer collaborate to create acrylic paintings with fused glass pieces.
In the spring of 2018, Marcia Steil opened the door to Weaver’s West Guild in Sun City West and looked around at the massive wooden looms. Although she had never woven more than a mug rug on a little 10” by 12” hand loom, she was not intimidated. Indeed, she was welcomed into the weaving community and within a short time was turning out fabric, some of which she sews into Project Bags. On the first day of the rigid heddle loom class, Marcia recalls calling out to her fellow students and teachers, “I’m weaving!” She is grateful to the Sun City West Weavers’ Guild members who have been so kind and supportive as she continues her journey in the weaving world.
There is no better way to get a jump on your Holiday shopping than by browsing the wide-ranging mix of paintings, sculptures, jewelry and fabric work available throughout the Boutique. Birt’s Bistro is a social enterprise where every purchase helps fund Benevilla programs and services.
Our motto is “Birt’s Bistro is building community, one plate at a time.” Birt’s also has a private room for meetings and offers the entire facility for private catered events. Starting in October Birt’s will be open Sunday through Thursday from 8am to 3pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 8am-7pm (with Happy Hour from 5pm until 7pm). Call 623-584-0065 for more details. Make sure to stop by Birt’s Bistro soon to check out the new and exciting breakfast and lunch menus launched October 1st.