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.

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 Peoples 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.