Richard III is the current production at The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington. This rarely done Shakespeare play is headed up by Geraint Wyn Davies in the title role of one of the mostly widely debated characters in Shakespeare's gallery. Director Michael Kahn has worked the murderous play into a spine-tingling intrigue with the help of his marvelous company including audience favorites Floyd King, Edward Gero, Tana Hicken, Ralph Cosham, and Pamela Payton-Wright. Rhea recently visited with Geraint Wyn Davies to talk about Richard III and how he approaches that role.

Richard III runs at The Shakespeare Theatre Company through March 18.

Using elements from nature to enhance one's well being is the inspiration for Dawn Wain's line of wearable art. Her use of precious and semi-precious gemstones, crystals, fossils, ancient coins, seashells, exotic feathers and wood and bone carvings are just some of the materials she finds from all over the world. Dawn Wain is part of the 31st ACC Craft Show at the Baltimore Convention Center on Pratt Street in Baltimore, Friday through Sunday.

Dawn Wain Jewelry
ACC Craft Show in Baltimore

This week's Salon art is by Karen Buster. Karen Y. Buster, a native Baltimorean, received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1981. She is a graphic artist whose unusual style of handcutting originated while silkscreening for Bustertizin' Designs. During the ten years Karen resided in Louisiana, she developed her own “style of flavor” within her work. Karen has become a skilled artist who has mastered a unique cutting technique using an X-acto Knife. For over twenty years, Karen has perfected her precision with the knife along with a keen eye of perception. She loves the strong statements that negative and positive spaces project. Karen’s work has the ability to intrigue the viewer’s eye through simplistic, repetitive, rhythmic, geometric shapes.

Karen’s work has been received by such celebrities such as Queen Latifa, Denzel Washington, Cheryl Lee Ralph, Toni Braxton, Jada Pinkett, Charles “Roc” Dutton and a host of others. Both the Beverly Hills and Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce have adorned their walls with her work. The Artist was recently presented an award for "Favorite Emerging Artist" for 2002 by the Black Heritage Visual Arts Association. She was also presented the Arts and Culture Award by The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Karen says, “God has given me a gift, that I love to share with others”.

Karen Y. Buster