The Artists of LOC
Susan Egbert
Susan is best known for her mixed-media portraits and landscapes, but she also enjoys exploring abstract imagery and collage. She has received numerous awards in exhibitions across Virginia and the Southeast. Having lived in the Roanoke Valley for over 30 years, she draws significant inspiration from the natural beauty of Southwestern Virginia and beyond. Her artwork is also on display at the Cabell Gallery in Lexington, VA, the Loft Gallery at Black Dog Salvage, and the History Museum in Roanoke, VA.
Meridith Entingh
Meridith Entingh has always been passionate about working with fiber, drawn to its rich colors and textures. The endless variety in yarn—its hues, sizes, and feel—provides exciting opportunities to create unique and unexpected effects. Each of her pieces is one-of-a-kind, with a strong emphasis on the interplay of color and texture.
Her journey with textiles began at Iowa State University, and years later, she apprenticed at Springwater Fiber Arts School in Old Town Alexandria, VA, where she fell in love with weaving from the very first throw of the shuttle. She continues to expand her expertise through workshops and active participation in organizations such as the Handweavers Guild of America, the Mid-Atlantic Fiber Association, the Handweavers Guild of the New River Valley, and the Roanoke Weaving Study Group.
Meridith’s work has been featured in Handwoven Magazine, an international publication for handweavers.
Her pieces are also available at Troika Contemporary Crafts at 203 S. Locust St. in Floyd, VA. She also sells on Etsy and teaches weaving and dyeing.
Miki Overcast Kallan
Miki Overcast Kallan is a versatile artist whose vibrant acrylic paintings capture a whimsical and dynamic view of the world. Her work is characterized by bold colors, imaginative compositions, and a playful energy that invites viewers into her unique perspective. From surreal landscapes to quirky animals, her pieces radiate a joyful narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking.
In addition to her painting, Miki is a skilled professional framer, bringing her keen eye for detail and artistic sensibility to every piece she frames. Her dual expertise as a painter and framer allows her to present artwork in its best possible light, offering both beauty and craftsmanship.
Miki’s work reflects her passion for creativity and her ability to transform everyday scenes and subjects into extraordinary visual stories. Whether through her paintings or her framing, she continues to enrich the art community with her talent and dedication.
Patti Kapral
Patti Kapral has always been in love with the creative process, a passion that has shaped her ever-evolving artistic journey. This deep appreciation for creativity explains her tendency to explore various styles, subjects, and themes rather than committing to just one. She often becomes immersed in the intricate details of her work—whether it’s the movement of hair or the way light interacts with a surface—always striving to capture the initial spark of fascination that draws her to a subject.
Light, in particular, is a constant source of inspiration for Patti. She is captivated by the way it dances on the ocean, reflects clouds like a mirror, filters through a wooded path, or softly illuminates a face. Always seeking new ways to portray light’s dynamic presence, she continues to push her artistic boundaries—and sometimes, she even feels she succeeds in capturing it.
Susanne Sellars
Susanne Sellars is a multifaceted artist and retired public school art teacher who has spent her life inspiring creativity in others. As a member of the Blue Ridge Potters Guild, she brings her artistic vision to life through pottery, exploring form, texture, and function in her ceramic work.
Her talents extend beyond pottery, as she also works in painting, collage, and other media, showcasing her versatility and passion for the creative process. Susanne’s work often reflects her deep appreciation for experimentation and exploration, blending techniques and materials to create pieces that are both visually striking and emotionally resonant.
With years of experience as an educator, Susanne continues to inspire those around her, sharing her love for art and her belief in its power to connect, express, and transform. Her work embodies a lifelong commitment to creativity and craftsmanship, enriching both the local art community and those fortunate enough to experience her pieces.
Kelly Smith-Price
Kelly Smith-Price often hears questions like, “What is going on inside your head?” or “Where do you come up with these things?” when people see her art. Her response? “I’m a high school art teacher, and the kids make me a little nuts.”
Inspired by her students’ fresh and bold ideas, Kelly has spent the last 26 years teaching full-time while also maintaining a creative outlet of her own. She frequently sketches in her sketchbook, where her unique characters first come to life. While her sketchbook drawings are done in graphite, many of these characters eventually make their way onto canvas, brought to life with bold, vibrant acrylics. Once on canvas, they often take on names and develop stories, existing in surreal, whimsical spaces.
Though her work can contain elements of social commentary, Kelly’s primary goal is simply to create something fun and engaging—art that invites viewers to interpret it in their own way. She loves watching people react to her paintings, and if they leave with a smile, that’s what makes her happiest.