Discover inspiring art and music that celebrate their passion and expression.
Marti Bledsoe, Artist
Marti Hill (Bledsoe), 68, received her initial art instruction and lifelong mentoring from her aunt, a plein air artist in Southern California.
She later studied art at Auburn University and the University of Texas at El Paso.
Before her formal studies, she lived in Turkey for three years from 1967 to 1969.
This experience immersed her in Turkey’s rich history, culture, and artistic traditions.
Her exposure inspired her work in stained glass, jewelry design, pottery, murals, and miniature painting.
She is currently focused on creating one-of-a-kind monoprints using the Reductive Ink printmaking process.
Marti has completed commissions, exhibited in galleries, and sold work to private collectors.
Her monoprints are available at MartiBledsoe.com and through Jspace Gallery, priced from $75 to $500 unframed.
Paula Race Grookett 61
Paula Race Grookett (61) retired in 1996 after dedicating 32 years to the public school system. Following her retirement, she pursued a long-held interest in watercolor painting and, in 1999, discovered a deep passion for the medium. What began as a personal exploration soon grew into a meaningful artistic practice.
Working primarily in watercolor, Paula enjoys capturing a wide range of subjects with sensitivity and color harmony. Her body of work includes florals, landscapes, still lifes, as well as portraits and figurative pieces. Through her paintings, she brings warmth, balance, and a thoughtful appreciation of everyday beauty. Her artwork can be viewed on her website, Watermedia by Paula.
Tim Gifford Bronze
Tim Gifford (76) began exploring bronze sculpting at the age of 42, following a distinguished 27-year career with the Poudre Fire Authority. His transition from public service to fine art reflects a deep curiosity and a commitment to lifelong creative growth. Over the years, Tim has developed a strong sculptural voice, working primarily in bronze and focusing on form, balance, and expression.
Tim’s latest body of work, Posse, follows a distinctly abstract direction. Each piece is designed to stand on its own, yet they also function cohesively as a unified group. Through Posse, Tim envisions his sculptures existing on a grand scale—larger than life—installed prominently in front of commercial or public settings, where they can engage viewers and interact dynamically with architectural space.
Starlit
Stephen Suber
Starlit is the long-awaited CD by Stephen Suber (68), priced at $16.00.
The album is available for purchase through Centaur Records, where it can be found under New Releases.
Listeners who prefer immediate access can also download the CD from iTunes by searching for “Stephen Suber.”
Starlit reflects years of artistic vision and careful musical craftsmanship.
Dr. Suber has served as Professor of Music at Southeastern Louisiana University since 1982.
His body of work includes accompanied songs and a wide range of choral compositions.
One of the highlights of the CD is “Soleil,” a powerful 32-part chorus using ancient Greek text.
Recorded in Europe, the album is praised for its flawless recording and exceptional performance quality.
My Own Reality Show
Curbside Life
Michael “Mojo” O’Brien (79) and his band Curbside Life released their first CD in 2006, marking an important step in their musical career.
The album captured the band’s distinctive sound and creative direction.
A significant portion of the music was featured in the soundtrack of the independent film Perilous Ties.
This exposure helped bring their work to a broader audience through film.
The band is currently working on a potential collaboration with writer Augusten Burroughs.
His memoir Running With Scissors was later adapted into a feature film.
The film starred Gwyneth Paltrow, Annette Bening, and Alec Baldwin.
This connection reflects the band’s growing involvement across music, film, and literary projects.
Marty Cohen and the Sidekicks
Marty Cohen (65) and his band The Sidekicks perform original acoustic music that has been described as “urbane, inspired folk with a pop twist.”
Their sound blends thoughtful songwriting with accessible melodies.
The music reflects everyday experiences while maintaining a refined, contemporary feel.
Each performance highlights their strong musical identity and artistic depth.
Audiences are sure to enjoy the band’s rich vocal harmonies and carefully crafted arrangements.
Their lyrics are meaningful, relatable, and speak to shared human experiences.
With a balance of warmth and sophistication, their songs connect easily with listeners.
Marty Cohen and The Sidekicks create music that resonates across generations.
As Yet Untold
As Yet Untold, priced at $9.99, is the second CD by Marty Cohen.
The album is available for download as MP3s or as a full CD through CD Baby.
Listeners can enjoy the music online or choose to download individual tracks.
It offers flexible options for fans who prefer digital or physical formats.
This second release is as enjoyable and engaging as Marty’s debut CD, Take A Chance.
The songs continue his tradition of thoughtful lyrics and melodic songwriting.
Each track stands well on its own while contributing to a cohesive album experience.
As Yet Untold further showcases Marty Cohen’s growth and consistency as an artist.
Explore Alumni Art & Music
Explore alumni-created art and music while staying connected to the Ankara High School community.
