Artists Exposed | Holiday Edition

    They generally toil behind closed doors, safely out of view, in tucked away studios near and far. But 23 local artists have been coaxed into the spotlight for one special get-together on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Reversing the idea of an “open studio tour,” the gallery will gather everyone together in one convenient spot for a lively informal event that will include numerous demonstrations and some hands-on participation. Most will be bringing along additional work for display and sale.
    If you’ve ever wondered about the talented artists behind the fine art that graces our gallery walls and pedestals – the painters, the sculptors, the jewelers, weavers and clay shapers – now is your chance to meet the makers, ask questions and discover who they are and how they do what they do so well.
    Participating artists include Jim Carson, Chad Alice Hagen, Carol Beth Icard, Marcy Jackson, Erin Keane, Mary Carol Koester, Lori Loftus, Diane Magie, Paula Poad, Bobbie Polizzi, Julius Pratt, Barbara Remensnyder, Barry Rhodes, Clare Sahling, Keith Spencer, Christine Stanley, Kate Thayer, Holland Van Gores, David Voorhees, Jane Voorhees, Anita Walling, Kathleen Weir-West and Cynthia Wilson.

Ancestors and Other Strangers

Ancestors and Other Strangers

The work of Bobbie Polizzi and Christopher Charles Curtis

A collaborative show with CANVAS ArtSpace

November 9 -26
Artists' reception: November 9, 5-7pm

Artists' Talk: November 19, 4pm

The title of the exhibition refers to Polizzi and Curtis’ shared interest in old, found photographs and the mystery of the unknown sitters who inhabit them. “Ancestors and Other Strangers” attempts to explore this context from different vantage points. The show will also feature one piece that Polizzi and Curtis have created together. "I feel fortunate to have met Bobbie - we both share an affinity for old photos, doll parts, and strange objects,” says Curtis. Polizzi concurs. “I’m so excited to show with Chris. His work whispers, haunts, and speaks to the message of my art, which is to create stories for those whose stories have been lost,” she says.

Film viewing of "An Art that Nature Makes" on October 30, 4:30pm

The Gallery at Flat Rock is excited to present the screening of the film “An Art That Nature Makes” on Oct. 30 at Flat Rock Cinema. This documentary film, directed by Molly Bernstein, details the processes behind celebrated photographer Rosamond Purcell’s work, which highlights the unexpected beauty in the discarded and decayed. The screening is concurrent with an exhibition of Purcell’s photographs, which will be on display in the gallery from Oct. 18-31.

The film begins and ends with scenes of her 20-year relationship with Owls Head, an unruly 13-acre junkyard in Maine, and her friendship with its proprietor, William Buckminster. In the retrieval of carefully selected objects from the junkyard — and in the photographing of those objects back in her studio — we see the essence of her obsessions and her engagement with collecting and classification. In-between we are treated to the highlights of an extraordinary career comprising portraiture, large-format Polaroid’s, collage, a re-creation of the wonder cabinet of the 17th-century Danish natural philosopher Ole Worm, and stunning collaborations with biologist/writer Stephen Jay Gould and magician Ricky Jay.

In An Art That Nature Makes, the timeless themes of disintegration and metamorphosis find new and unexpected expression.

After the movie, you are all welcome to visit the gallery to see a display of Purcell's work and copies of her books which include
out of print copies of “Owls Head,” “Illuminations: A Bestiary,” “Bookworm," and “Dice: Deception, Fate & Rotten Luck."

Tickets to see the film are $10 and are available for purchase in advance at the gallery or online.  To learn more, please call the gallery at 828-698-7000.

"Trial by Fire" - An exhibit celebrating National Clay Week

This special show focuses on artists’ personal reactions to challenges—either literal or symbolic—and how that challenge has shaped them and their artwork. “Trial by Fire” will feature one piece each from over a dozen local and regional artists working in clay. A brief statement from each artist will accompany the individual artworks in the exhibit.

As participating artist Kate Donovan-Roach states: “Paralyzed from (the) loss (of my father), I was fortunate to have a studio practice to turn to. For the first time, through my profound sense of loss and grief, I was able to give myself complete freedom to create what ever it was I wanted to create...”

Gallery artists participating in “Trial by Fire” include: Meghan Bernard, Lucy Clark, Jennifer Halli, Gary Huntoon, Christine Kosiba, Dian Magie, Barry Rhodes, Akira Satake, David Voorhees, and Toby Wolter.  Guest artists include: Alice Ballard, Travis Berning, Darin Gehrke, Lonnie & Margie Johnson, Nina Kawar, Eric Knoche, Kate Donovan Roach, and Sarah Wells Rolland.

Artist Talk with Lucy Clark: Sacred Ground

Clay Artist Lucy Clark Reflects on Her Ghost Ranch Workshop Experience

In January of this year, clay artist Lucy Clark traveled to north-central New Mexico to study with renowned Native American potter Clarence Cruz at Ghost Ranch, the educational retreat center at the site of Georgia O’Keeffe’s home and studio north of Santa Fe.

Her workshop expenses were funded in part by the newly inaugurated Betty Taylor Award for Emerging Artists, co-sponsored by the Arts Council of Henderson County and the county’s Community Foundation. Ms. Clark is the award’s first recipient.

On Friday, July 21, from 5:00 to 6:30 pm, she will talk about her three-week workshop experience which included gathering and processing her own clay from the surrounding hills and firing her work using centuries-old techniques.

Ms. Clark will be introduced by McCray Benson of the Community Foundation of Henderson County. Patty Smyers, of the Arts Council of Henderson County, will describe the Betty Taylor award, its application requirements and upcoming deadline.

Sacred Ground: Bringing New Mexico Home

“Sacred Ground: Bringing New Mexico Home”   July 14 - August 6, 2017
Clay artist Lucy Clark, winner of the Betty Taylor Award for Emerging Artists, traveled to north-central New Mexico for a three-week workshop at Ghost Ranch where she studied the centuries-old techniques of traditional pueblo pottery. The resulting body of work will be exhibited with an opening reception on Friday, July 14, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Read Lucy's artist statement here.

In case you missed Art in Bloom....

We are grateful for these memories captured from photographer Sarah Upton of Sliver of Eternity at this year's Art in Bloom.  To see the full album, click here.

Art in Bloom | Art with an expiration date

When we think of great art, we think of that which stands the test of time.  But not all creative efforts strive for permanence.  In this exhibit, we celebrate the ephemeral beauty of floral interpretations of juried works of art.  This is art with an expiration date!

Artists' Talk for "Temporal Witness: Tracing Nature's Path"

Approximately 30 gallery patrons were in attendance on May 6 for a talk by two of the three artists represented in “Temporal Witness: Tracing Nature’s Path."  Ceramic artist Alice Ballard and paper artist Christina Laurel, both from Greenville, SC, had met once before, only briefly, but the mutual appreciation of the artists for each other’s work was immediately evident as they spoke not only of their own efforts, but what they had come to admire in each other’s work. Each artist addressed, in turn, three pre-arranged questions about their artistic process, sources of inspiration, and the way in which the show title was expressed in the work. The casual format of the afternoon talk, sparked by the abundant energy flowing between the two artists, greatly enhanced the engagement of the audience with the artists and their work, while providing insight into the reality of the artistic process.

Both artists have a full schedule ahead, and plan to see more of their work at these locations.

Alice Ballard:

The Burroughs Chapin Museum Anniversary show, summer show starts in June, 2017
The Bascom  Solo show, Sept. 1 - Dec. 2, 2017
Lee Gallery, Clemson  "9 Women Fellows of the Upstate," Oct. 2- Nov. 1, 2017
Riverworks Gallery "The “F” Word, Feminine Art," opens Nov. 1, 2017
Riverworks Gallery  "A Walk Remembered,"  solo show during Artisphere 2018

Christina Laurel:

Greenville County Museum of Art  "Sketching in the Galleries," June 25, 1-2pm. Free and open to the public.
 Limestone College  "Emergent: a lily pad installation"   August 15-October 20, 2017   
The College at Brockport SUNY  "Alumni Exhibit," September 5 - October 13, 2017   

Arts Center of Clemson, "Japanese Papers & Techniques" workshop, Saturdays, October 21 & December 2, 2017 10am-2pm:   

Tim Jones speaks from the heart at a fundraising talk for the Ladies Aid Society of Flat Rock.

Tim Jones delivered his talk to an enthusiastic crowd and gave us a keen insight to the way his photography reflects so much in his life.  With honor and dignity to who he comes in contact with, he is "Seeing with the Eyes of the Heart."

All proceeds from the talk went to the Ladies Aid Society of Flat Rock, a charitable endeavor that has impacted Tim since his childhood and continues to support his work of helping the homeless and hungry in our local community.  We are happy to say that Tim drew in a huge crowd which raised $1700 for the Ladies Aid Society!

Gallery dog, Charlie girl was enthralled with Tim's talk!  We were so pleased to see that LAS volunteer Debbie Staton won the raffle prize, "The Art of Waiting," an intimate portrait of an American White Pelican.

"Windows of Beauty" - Full segment

See the full segment of "Windows" of Beauty" by clicking here.

"Windows of Beauty" - The art collection at the Pardee Comprehensive Cancer Center

It’s a rare occasion when an artist is given the opportunity to hear, first-hand, how much their art means to the individual observer. It’s all the more powerful when that observer is a cancer patient whose experience of art has contributed substantially to their overall wellbeing during the treatment process.

On Monday, March 13, at 5:30 pm on WLOS 13, we’re given the chance to eavesdrop on the conversation when Pam McLaughlin, a patient of the Pardee Comprehensive Cancer Center in Hendersonville, meets local artist Kelly G. Chelena to express her appreciation for the art on display in the new cancer treatment facility.

Ms. McLaughlin spends as much as six hours at a time in treatment and has become intimately acquainted with the original paintings, sculpture and photography exhibited throughout the corridors and examination rooms of the Cancer Center. In Monday’s “Windows of Beauty” episode of the WLOS 13 “Carolina Moments” program, she offers a highly personal view of her engagement with the art, eloquently illustrating the power of art to offer inspiration and solace during difficult and stressful times.

Kelly G. Chelena is one of ten artists whose work is exhibited throughout the Cancer Center, and provides the artist’s perspective on what it means to be included in this significant collection of work. Speaking for all the artists, she underscores the humbling gratification to be found by extending an uplifting hand of support to the patients, friends, family and staff embraced by the artwork each day.

Please join WLOS 13 reporter John Le as he brings together the artist and the art lover – collaborators on the path of life and color.

Click here for a sneak peek at Monday's segment.

A Very Special Gallery Hop this Friday!

Our last gallery hop of the year is tomorrow, Friday, December 16th from 11am - 8pm and we have two very special events!

3pm   Tea Ceremony with Emiko Suzuki

Take a break from the hectic season and enjoy the peaceful tradition of Japanese tea ceremony.  Emiko Suzuki, owner of the WNC Japanese Cultural Center, will be doing a 30 minute demonstration on the wabi sabi art for all to enjoy.

5pm   Award Ceremony for GFR artist Lucy Clark
Recipient of the Betty Taylor Award for Emerging Artist

We are so pleased for gallery artist, Lucy Clark, who is the first recipient of the Betty Taylor Award for Emerging Artists given by the Arts Council of Henderson County in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Henderson County.  
"Lucy Clark is a clay artist who plans to attend a three week workshop to study under master potter, Clarence Cruz, at the Georgia O’Keefe Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM. The grant award will support her attendance at the workshop in early January, and afterward, the construction of a kiln." - Patty Smyers, ACofHC.
Come join us in this very special celebration of one of Western North Carolina's finest artist!

Thank you, Bold Life, for the colorful article on our first Art in Bloom!

BY AUSTINE MILLER  ARTMAY 24, 2016

Still Life, Awakened

Ikebana sculpture by Laura Felt; painting by Karen Paquette.

As far as we know, no one has yet tried the experiment with Monet’s Water Lilies — although, if we’re wrong, we’d love to see any attempt that’s out there. However, the local manifestation of the national Art in Bloom event isn’t about replicating the Masters, anyway: the idea is to elevate floral design to the level of any other artistic medium. When bloom experts interpret various works of visual art, they bring attention to their own passion.

It’s possible that flower arranging doesn’t always garner the same respect as a painted canvas. But in this case, with the reciprocal works set side by side, the horticultural endeavor comes out on top. The flowers’ ephemeral nature, the very poignancy of their not-lasting-ness, adds philosophical oomph. Art-in-the-moment, art-where-you-find-it, art-that’s-for-everyone — all these ideas begin to flourish.

Locally, the Gallery at Flat Rock (formerly the Studios at Flat Rock) will host its own branch of the concept this weekend. Owner Suzanne Camarata Ball talks about the “perfect” timing of having it Memorial Day Weekend … “since the town is in full celebration with Garden Jubilee.”

She notes that the Museum of Fine Art in Boston started Art in Bloom. “It was something that I enjoyed going to while living there. Even if the weather didn’t always reflect it, it marked the beginning of spring and an awakening in the city. Art in Bloom has been adopted in so many places, and I was keen to try one here in Flat Rock, especially knowing how many talented floral art forms or floral designers are in the area.”

Twenty artists are juried to participate in Art in Bloom, with works interpreted by floral artists from the Ikenobo Ikebana Society, Blue Ridge Chapter.

Sponsored by Advocates for the Arts of Henderson County and coordinated with Pam Hedstrom of the Hendersonville Flower Market, the event “creates awareness of our talented communities of fine artists and floral artists,” she says.

A preview gala for Art in Bloom on May 27, 5-8pm, will feature live music, refreshments, and the all-important vote for the People’s Choice Award. $25/ticket, $40/pair. 2702-A Greenville Highway.    Proceeds will benefit Open Studio Tour of Henderson County taking place in September. Call 828-698-7000,  or visit studiosflatrock.com for more information.

WNC Design Guide Artists' Reception, Thursday, May 12 5-8pm

Artists' Reception for the WNC Design Guide Show
Thursday, May 12th from 6-8pm

Please join us for a celebratory evening with the artists of the WNC Design Guide Show.  As the show concludes, this will be your chance to meet the artists while enjoying light refreshments.  Hope to see you there!