With an artistic eye and a bit of wire, Levy transforms a heap of colorful buttons into unique sculpture-esque works of art. This one-of-a-kind art form can be seen all month in the heart of downtown Austin at the d berman gallery beginning Thursday, Oct. 5. The exhibit will showcase an array of new sculptures and drawings by the Austin-based artist, who has been creating button sculptures for over a decade.

Anastasia Colombo, associate director of the d berman gallery, speaks of Levy as an artist who is constantly changing and brings something new to each of her exhibits.

"There are lots of people working with beads and buttons, but she's one of the people giving these materials a new life," said Colombo.

Levy's fascination with buttons began early, after routinely playing in a box of buttons at her great grandmother's home in return for good behavior. What began as mere child's play has turned into a passionate line of work and serious form of expression for the UT alumna.

"Buttons are, for me, the perfect medium for personifying the notions of loss, joy, grief, tenderness and consequent insanity of these extremes," Levy said.

The artist takes pride in her use of vintage buttons and is careful to maintain the button's original form. She relishes the idea that each of the buttons were once used by someone and has its own story to tell, Colombo said.

Her work takes shape as buttons are strung along pieces of wire wound together to create colorful animal and human forms. But however cute and jovial her work may appear, to Levy, these sculptures can represent deeper issues.

"My interest and concerns about the world are many and translate into my sculptures," Levy said, who lists love, death, sexuality, and coping to fall among her inspirations.

"There's a very enticing whimsicalness to them," said Colombo, "but at the same time, there's a little bit of an edge."

Before focusing on sculpture a la buttons Levy expressed herself through metal sculptures. However, the constant calls of a new born child consumed the time previously dedicated to torching and manipulating metal. So, Levy decided to turn her attention to something more portable, less hot, and low key.

Needless to say, the switch was a success. She's gained a local following and has created work so diverse that it appeals to people of all ages and at all ends of the spectrum, said Colombo.

Levy's creative works have been displayed throughout Texas, California, Colorado, and Connecticut.

Born in Corpus Christi, Levy received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in studio art at UT, along with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1986. She was also formally trained in metalsmithing at the Oregon School of Arts and Crafts.