Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

Gallery News

Wildflowers Fine Art Publishing Releases Garden Of Eden

Cher Shaffer was born in Atlanta, Ga. in 1947 on a small farm and spent her youth surrounded by earth, sky and the whistling pines of the American South. She began painting shortly after the death of her gifted mother. Painting her memories seemed the best way to express and preserve her cherished childhood, so in 1978, with no formal training, she began transferring her memories to canvas. Her early works depict church gatherings, warm holidays, festive celebrations and the everyday chores of life on a rural farm.

In 1985 Shaffer's heart failed as a result of extreme exhaustion. She emerged from this terrifying event with a greater sense of responsibility for what she would leave behind and through her work began to explore the question of death. Ghostly images began to haunt her style. She describes her work from this period as coming from a "primal level." In addition to painting, Shaffer also works in wood, stone, mixed media and designs three-dimensional creations such as dolls and masks.

She is represented in several public and private collections including that of Whoopie Goldberg, Jane Fonda, Richard Dreyfus, Rob Reiner, Henry Winkler and one of her most appreciated, fellow artist, Thornton Dial.

Shaffer’s canvas giclée Garden of Eden from Wildflowers Fine Art Publishing is available in three edition sizes: 8 x 10 for $50; 16 x 20 for $195; and 32 x 40 for $800. All Wildflowers Canvas editions carry a 165-year lightfastness rating and are certified by the artist. To order or for more info, call 828-898-3423.

SMART Gallery

SMART Gallery is having a featured artist reception for Stephen Willingham, along with a wine tasting from Rag Apple Lassie Vineyard and Winery, on Saturday, May 26, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Coming from a family of creativity and ingenuity, Willingham has been characterized as a true "Renaissance Man" being talented in many media: furniture building and design, wood sculptures, construction, music, landscape design and writing. But his first love is painting. Willingham has explored several media, including charcoal, pen, and ink, and has had considerable success with watercolors, but his preferred medium of oils, showcases his talent. SMART Gallery is located at 109 N. Jefferson Avenue in West Jefferson. For info, contact Gallery Director Constance Crawford at sgsmart@skybest.com or 336-246-7399.

Honoring All Mothers and Mother Earth at Carlton Gallery

An exceptional tribute to honor that special mother can be found at Carlton Gallery from traditional and abstract landscapes, mixed media collages, realistically rendered flowers and visionary paintings, fine woodworking, innovative woven art, blown glass, pottery and whimsical garden sculptures. An eclectic array of original designs and impeccable craftsmanship from jewelry artists Mia Katrin, Ursula Shuler, Bill Churlik, Don Haywood, Tana Acton, Channing Ayers and Carol Francis Goode is showcased at Carlton Gallery featuring precious or semi-precious gemstones, intricate silver, pearls, multicolored beads or dichroic glass.

Wearable art from local, regional and international artists include intricate garments from assorted fibers, chenille, rayon, cotton and linen scarves and hand-woven cotton jackets and vests with animal totems, Native American and ancient symbols. These one-of-a kind items from Earth-friendly materials make a personal tribute to Mothers everywhere.

Celebrating 25 years, Carlton Gallery is located 10 miles south of Boone just off Highway 105 on Aldridge Road and 7 miles north of Linville. Gallery hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday. For more info, call 828-963-4288 or click to www.carltonartgallery.com.

Bill Brown Studio and Gallery Open to the Public

Bill Brown, known for his contemporary sculpture and lighting, has opened his studio and gallery on Highway 221 in Linville Falls to the public on Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Appointment are suggested. Call 828-765-6226 or click to www.studiosculpture.com.

ArtWalk Presents Doe Ridge Beadworks for Mother’s Day

It can often be a challenge to find that perfect Mother’s Day gift, but ArtWalk makes your search easier with jewelry from Doe Ridge Beadworks. Kathy Smith, who works as the director of Academic Advising for the Walker College of Business at ASU, originally took up beading as a hobby, but it soon became an obsession and she started her own business, Doe Ridge Beadworks.

Smith uses a variety of fine materials in her jewelry: sterling silver, pearls, Swarovski crystals, semi-precious gems, glass and organic materials such as shell, clay, fossils and wood. Her collection of jewelry includes necklaces, bracelets, watches and earrings. Smith’s work is located on ArtWalk’s main floor and she is only one of ArtWalk’s 300 local, regional and national artists represented in the 9,500 square foot gallery. ArtWalk is located at 611 W. King Street and open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. For more info, call 828-264-9998.

Jessie Schmitt Exhibit at Cannon Hospital

The T. Alan Dickson Gallery at Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville will feature artist Jessie Schmitt during the month of May. The exhibit is sponsored by the Avery Arts Council and includes original oil landscapes and portraits done in graphite.

Schmitt studied at New Mexico Highlands University, in Cape May, New Jersey and more recently at The Visual Arts Center of Tidewater Community College. Her work has won awards at juried exhibitions in four states and she has taught oil painting, watercolor, pastel and drawing in charcoal and graphite through classes at Eagleton’s in Norfolk, the Studio of Fine Arts in Ghent and the Hermitage Foundation Visual Arts School in Norfolk. She also offers private instruction in painting with oil, watercolor and drawing in charcoal and graphite.

Schmitt’s landscape paintings and watercolor illustrations represent a culmination of the varied influences of her residing in the North, Southeast, and Southwest United States, as well as in Britain. View some of her works online at www.eyefishstudio.com.

Avery Arts Council is a nonprofit organization that strives to enrich the people of Avery County through meaningful arts and cultural experiences. For 30 years, the council has supported school art programs and served as a resource for local artists and the community. Contact the Avery Arts Council at 828-898-4292 or averyarts@lmc.edu.