Eleanor Heartney in WNC for Two Contemporary Art Talks

March 5, at  5 PM in Western Carolina University's Bardo Art Center, room 130th and 6th. - Tales of Plastic Surgery, Genetically Altered Rabbits, and Other Acts of Art.   The lecture title refers to two of the many artists examined in Eleanor Heartney's book Art and Now. "One of those artists, Eduardo Kac, genetically altered a rabbit to glow green under certain light; the other, French artist Orlan, had parts of her face surgically altered to resemble women in famous art historical paintings," according to WCU Associate Professor of Art, Marya Roland. "Both Kac and Orlan push the limits of what we consider art, and in her book, Heartney poses the question, 'should we do things simply because we can?'" The lecture is free and open to the public.

March 6, 7:30  PM  at the BlackMountain College Museum and Arts Center, 56 Broadway, Asheville, NC  -  Out of the Shadows: the Changing Place of Women Artists in Our Times.  Eleanor Heartney, distinguished art critic, editor, and author will discuss the broader topic of women artists' changing roles and relate it, in particular, to painter Pat Passlof who has concurrent exhibitions at Western Carolina University's Fine Art Museum and BMCM and AC.

Heartney wrote the essay contained in the exhibition catalogue for the exhibitions. Admission is $5 for BMCM+AC members and students w/ID and $10 for others.

March Workshops at Random Arts

March 2012 Schedule of Workshops at Random Arts, 481 Louisiana Ave in Saluda NC. Get more information HERE

March 9 - Flannel Pants Man Collage 10-2 $40 (5x7)



March 10 - Tattered & Torn Bird Art 1-3 $25. (filled)


March 23 - Journal Box 10-2 $40



March 24  - Trash to Treasure Book (Kate Stockman) 10am till 4pm $60.


March 30 - Alpha Doodle-Zen Lettering (Catherine Langsdorf) 10am till 2pm

ArtsMart this weekend in Old Fort

John Sullivan wood craft

March 3     ArtsMart   Locally created arts and crafts displayed inside the historic Old Fort Depot. Stop by to chat with the creators of these one of a kind items while you shop for yourself, family or friends. Something for everyone including baskets, paintings, woodwork, wreaths, candles and live demonstrations. Sponsored by Arrowhead Artists and Artisans League.

Random Arts ArtMart in May

Random ArtMart - it's all about YOU! Got macrame? Got fibers? Got paper? Got books?
Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 19th and start your spring cleaning now. Outdoor and undercover spaces will be available, first come-first serve, for only $25. for all day event.
Bring your own table & chair (up to 8' long) and all your unwanted & unused art supplies and related arts & crafts supplies and sell it at the Art Mart/

Yes, that's right. Sell it here all day for only $25.

This is the same day as the Saluda Art Festival and Random Arts is  the first place anyone will see when they come into town. It's one of Saluda's busiest days.
For more details please email Random Arts.
Limited spaces so be sure to get your space early.

Works of the Week at the Asheville Art Museum: Peggy Bacon Prints

February 24 - Featured Works of the Week at The Asheville Art Museum:  Peggy Bacon, The Copy Desk (The Washington Post), 1945, lithograph, 12 x 10 inches. 2011 Collectors' Circle Purchase. Asheville Art Museum Collection; Peggy Bacon, Model in Bellows' Class (The Art Students League, NYC), 1918, drypoint, 6 x 8 inches. 2011 Collectors' Circle Purchase. Asheville Art Museum Collection. 

The Copy Desk, Model in Bellows' Class by Peggy Bacon

The Museum's growing collection of prints related to the Art Students League of New York currently includes works by George Bellows and John Sloan.  Two works by Peggy Bacon (1895 - 1987) were recently acquired by the Asheville Art Museum's Collectors' Circle.  

Bacon is an artist known for her satirical drawings and prints illustrating the everyday lives of people around her. She became sought after for her illustrations and witty verse in magazines such as The New Yorker, New Republic, Fortune and Vanity Fair.

Featured Gallery: Mountain Made Art Gallery

Mountain Made Art Gallery features the work of over 150 WNC artisans, in both contemporary and traditional mountain handcrafts. Media includes:  Handcrafted jewelry, beadwork, pottery, hand painted textiles, furniture, original oils-pastels-watercolors, stained glass, baskets, blown glass, Appalachian books, music and more.

Mountain Made is located in the Grove Arcade, 1 Page Avenue, Ste 123, Asheville, NC

John C Campbell Folk School Empty Bowls

March 3     Empty Bowls at John C Campbell Folk School   5-7 PM - Tickets $25.00 (includes a handmade bowl by a local potter, soup, bread, salad and dessert). Support food banks while sharing a hearty meal with friends and enjoying a fun evening at the Folk School. Extra bowls will be for sale for $20.00 after the event.There are still ticket available - get yours now!

John C Campbell Folk School at One Folk School Road in Brasstown NC, near Hayesville

Mixed Media Workshops at Random Arts

Join emerging mixed media artist Jodi Ohl (as seen in Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine Jan/Feb 2012) for  2 separate workshops at Random Arts in March.

March 3, 10 AM to 4 PM - Funky Faces - Experience part abstract painting and part character portrait that evolves...no experience required..just a willingness to indulge in a day of creative freedom!

March  4, 10 AM to 4 PM - Board Book Journal - Enjoy a day full of journal play and be into creating magical backgrounds and contemplative faces for our creative journey. Learn to reveal enough to go forward with your writing or quotes on colorful and playful children's board books that you have transformed during the day. It's a process that continues long after class is over.

You will learn a multitude of mixed media techniques from this ever so popular teacher. Each workshop is $90 for the full day. There is a small supply fee payable to Jodi the day of class.Please email in advance to assure space. card,  or check.

Featured NC Gallery: Ariel Craft Gallery in downtown Asheville

Ariel Craft Gallery   In a city full of fine craft galleries and a region brimming with artisans, Ariel Gallery is a standout. Owned and operated by the exhibiting artists themselves, this unique gallery is a showcase for original works of handmade jewelry, sculpture, glass, fiber, clay, mixed media, and woodwork.

Since 2002, Ariel Gallery has represented some of Western North Carolina's finest artisans and given the public an opportunity to buy directly from local makers. 46 Haywood Avenue, Asheville

February Shows and Exhibits at the Asheville Art Museum

Homage2 (squared)
Through Sunday, March 11, 2012 in Gallery 6

The Elemental Arts: Air | Earth | Fire | Water
Ongoing in the Second Floor Galleries

The New Materiality: Digital Dialogues at the Boundaries of Contemporary Craft
Through Sunday, March 18, 2012 in the Appleby Foundation Gallery

WNC Scholastic Art Awards
Through Sunday, February 26, 2012 in the Holden Community Gallery

Penland's Summer Portrait Class Preview

Penland School of Crafts Contemporary Portrait Painting with Michael Dixon & Beverly McIver Session 3 (June 24 - July 6) in the drawing and painting studio:
Self-portraiture has a long and rich history. This class will explore self-portraiture through observation, working with oil paint and a primary palette. Once our first self-portrait is complete, we will make a psychological self-portrait. With the help of paint and collage, we will dig deep and discover our inner beauty. No painting experience is necessary; you only have to be willing to explore who you are.

Michael is an assistant professor at Albion College in Michigan; he has exhibited at Konakalti Kutur Merkezi in Turkey and the Holter Museum of Art in Montana.  Review his work at:   michaeldixonart.com

Six Self-Portraits by Beverly McIver

Beverly is a professor at North Carolina Central University; she has received a Louis Comfort Tiffany Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Creative Capital Project Grant, and a North Carolina Arts Council Artist Fellowship. Her family is the subject of an HBO documentary, entitled Raising Renee, about a promise Beverly made to her mother to care for her mentally disabled sister, Renee, after their mother's death. Raising Renee will premiere on HBO 2, February 22nd at 8pm. Visit professor McIver at:  beverlymciver.com

Asheville Art Museum Presents Two Programs Celebrating Studio Glass in Western North Carolina

February 18, 5-7 PM  -   Glass Becomes Art with Mary Cheek Mills. Preview Tour and lecture with Mary Cheek Mills,  the current Manager of Education Programs for The Corning Museum of Glass. This event is held in conjunction with the Grove Park Inn Arts and Crafts Conference and the Arts & Crafts Heritage Week: February 12 - 18, 2012.  Following the lecture, Museum guests are invited toenjoy a reception and preview tour of Fire on the ountain: Studio Glass in Western North Carolina.

February 19, 3 PM  -  Tim Tate, Up for Discussion. The Museum welcomes glass artist Tim Tate, featured in the exhibition The New Materiality: Digital Dialogues at the Boundaries of Contemporary Craft , to discuss the changing face of contemporary glass art, new media and his own work. Tim is the co-founder of the Washington Glass School located near Washington, DC and has shown his work domestically and abroad.

Arts & Crafts Antique Show and Conference 2012 this Weekend in Asheville

February 17-19   Arts & Crafts Antique Show and Conference 2012   Hosted by the Grove Park Inn in Asheville NC, this conference is dedicated to the education of the collector. The weekend blends informative talks with an immense show of furniture and collectibles.

Providing additional inspiration is The Grove Park Inn’s own rich Arts & Crafts tradition, which lives on throughout the resort, from the Old Hickory rockers to the Roycroft chandeliers. Lodging packages available.

Office Spaces Available at HandMade in America

HandMade in America offices are top quality and a great business incubator space. There are  four office spaces and a board room available for affordadble prices. This would be ideal for creative professionals or organizations. The  HandMade in America office is located at 125 S. Lexington Ave., Suite 101. in Asheville NC.

Details:
2 offices with windows at $600/month, (180 ft2 )
2 offices at $300/month (140 ft2)
1 board room $2000/month (620 ft2)

These office rentals include all utilities, phone, wireless access, shared meeting space, kitchenette, and bathrooms. The space is also handicap accessible.

To get more information contact Gwynne Rukenbrod at grukenbrod@handmadeinamerica.org.

Craft Lab tonight at HandMade in America

February 13, 6-8 PM:   How to Tell Your Story - Telling stories is how we identify, learn, and share our history. If your goal is to educate, persuade, or simply connect in a meaningful way with a particular audience, storytelling is the single most powerful communication tool available to you and can be your best selling tool.

Come learn how to tell your story as a craft maker. Executive Director, Gwynne Rukenbrod will teach you the importance of learning how to tell your unique story and hone your skills at story telling. Gwynne will talk about the three steps in a good story and group exercises will lead you through each step of YOUR story.

HandMade Craft Labs are a series of professional development classes for craft artists that cover topics of How to Engage a Visitor in your Studio, Pricing your Work, Budgeting, Social Networking, Critiques, Artist Statements and many more. They are held from 6-8pm the second Tuesday of each month at HandMade in America's office at 125 South Lexington Ave., Suite 101 in Asheville NC.

New Show at Skyuka Fine Art

February 11 Skyuka  Fine Art located at  133 N. Trade Street in Tryon NC opened its new show, " Showing off Saluda". The show features some of Saluda's most prominent artists including: Bonnie Bardos, Jim Carson, Marguerite Hankins, William and Anne Jameson, Dale McEntire, Beverly Pickard, Bill Ryan and John Waddill. Much of the work will depict scenes of historic Saluda and its natural beauty.  The Show will run through March 23.

New Show at HandeMade in America: In Our Own Words: Language as Craft

February 13- May 4,2012  In Our Own Words: Language as Craft  - The exhibit features eleven local craft artists, each sharing the results of a creative experiment at Handmade in America. An Opening Reception will be held February 17 from 5:30 – 8 PM at the HandMade in America Gallery at 125 South Lexington Avenue, Suite 101.

In a reversal of the usual process of making an object and then explaining it in words, a personally-resonant word was first chosen by each artist as the impetus for the making of an object. “We find not the phrasing to describe our work, but rather the craft to depict our language”, says one of the artists.

From fine furniture and woven sculpture to exquisitely created wall pieces, In Our Own Words is a playful exhibit with visual, verbage and vital messages.

Artists featured in this exhibition are: Fatie Atkinson, Caryl Brt, Hayley Davison, Melissa Engler, Carla and Greg Filippelli, Wayne Fowler, Susan Link, Journel Thomas, Jenna Weston, and Jamie Womack.

Makers Receives Choice Award

Choice named MAKERS, which was produced by the Center for Craft, Creativity and Design and is the first comprehensive survey of contemporary craft, one of the top 25 academic books of 2011. This prestigious list reflects the best in scholarly titles (approximately ten percent of some 7,000 works) reviewed by Choice and brings with it the extraordinary recognition of the academic library community.

The editors apply several criteria to reviewed titles including: overall excellence in scholarship, importance relative to other literature in the field, value to undergraduate students and distinction as a first treatment of a given subject in book form. You may find out more about the award here: Choice Reviews Online.

To celebrate this award the holiday offer of Makers is being extended: A History of American Studio Craft by Janet Koplos & Bruce Metcalf plus an exhibition catalogue of your choice for only $45.00 (includes shipping in the USA).

Penland announces application deadlines for summer scholarships and studio assistantships

February 17 by 5 PM - Applications for summer scholarships and studio assistantships are due at Penland School of Craft. These applications must be mailed (keep in mind that, depending on your location, overnight services may not actually deliver to Penland overnight). Complete information about scholarships is here. Information about studio assistantships is here.

If you are applying as a full-paying student, the deadline to have your application included in the early-registration lottery is 5:00 PM on Friday, February 10. You may apply by mail, fax, or online using our electronic registration form. Most of our classes do not fill through the lottery, and we continue accepting students until the classes begin, so there's plenty of time to enroll in a summer class, but if you've already decided, you'll want to get that application to us by February 10. Complete summer registration information is here.

For more information see: Penland Classes by Studio and Penland Classes by Session

8th Annual Beloved Miniatures Show at American Folk in Asheville

February  10   8th Annual Beloved Miniatures Show at American Folk  Opening Reception. Just in time for Valentines Day, 12 of American Folks artists and potters will present work no bigger than 8 x 10 for painters, no bigger than 6 inches tall for potters. “Our folks create small works for this show all year long, and begin sending them in January. We love those little containers coming our way in the dark days of winter….it warms & excite us” says Betsey-Rose Weiss, owner of American Folk. Asheville NC

New Exhibition at The Center for Craft, Creativity and Design: Torqued & Twisted: Bentwood Today

February 10 through  June 29, gallery hours 12PM - 5PM at The Center for Craft, Creativity and Design, 1181 Broyles Road, between Hwy 64 and South Rugby in Hendersonville, NC - Opening Reception: Friday, Feb. 10 from 5-7 PM.  Torqued & Twisted: Bentwood Today.  Co-curated by Katie Lee and Tom Loeser, this exhibition explores the work of nine furniture makers and sculptors who use the technique of bending wood in innovative, unusual and eloquent ways.

Wood bending is typically accomplished through one of three approaches: Ñsteaming, laminating or greenwood bending. Steaming requires the application of heat and moisture to allow the wood fibers to bend and slide against each other.  Greenwood bending uses freshly cut smaller diameter saplings, often willow, which are inherently flexible due to the high moisture content in the freshly cut wood.

Bentwood came to symbolize the modern movement in furniture design, but it still offers a tempting territory for a range of aesthetic and formal explorations. The artists/designers in this exhibition push the limits of wood bending to create extraordinary functional and sculptural works of art that are conceptually challenging and expand  understanding and expectations of wood as a material.

This exhibit was funded, in part, by a Grassroots Grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts; administered by the Arts Council of Henderson County.

New Arrival at Gallery Minerva

Gallery Minerva has announced the arrival of.the newest work from
Mexican National surrealist, Jose Parra.



Image above, "Three Handed Fortune", 35"x27", Oil on Linen, beautifully framed.
Gallery Minerva is located at 8 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC

Heartwood Gallery Announces New Recycled Dinnerware

Fire & Light Handmade Recycled Dinnerware~ now in Red:

 

Heartwood Gallery is located at 21 East Main Street in historic downtown Saluda NC

Saturday Art Club at Blowing Rock Art and History Museum

BRAHM (Blowing Rock Art and History Museum) and Appalachian State University Art Education program will offer a SATURDAY ART CLUB during the month of February in the Museum’s Education Center for children ages 8 to 14. Inspired by the Scottish art program "Room 13," the Art Club will encourage the young participants to utilize a variety of mediums to create art that has meaning to them.

The Saturday sessions, which will be facilitated by ASU faculty and students, will be held every Saturday in February (4, 11, 18 and 25) from 10 a.m. until noon. The cost is $20 and pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Educational Programs Coordinator Virginia Falck at (828) 295-9099 ext. 3006 or virginia@blowingrockmuseum.org.