AUGUST 20, 2009 ISSUE
The Greater Avery Tour de Art Saturday
The Greater Avery Tour de Art takes place at 12 participating galleries and studios in the Foscoe, Banner Elk, Linville and greater Avery County areas on the fourth Saturday each month through October. Hours this Saturday, August 22, are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The gallery tour includes paintings, pottery, sculpture, fine art reproductions, framing, lighting and more by established and emerging artists. Galleries may also feature refreshments, special sales and other activities.
“We are so happy with the response to this inaugural year of the Tour de Art,” said Liz Brown, gallery director at The Art Cellar Gallery in Banner Elk. “We have had great interest and support from visitors, summer residents and locals. Tour visitors have said the map is easy to follow, and they love the variety and the energy of the special gallery activities. So I think we have a hit, and the Tour de Art is something we will continue to develop as time goes on.”
A map of the entire tour is available at each location, and yellow directional signs help guide gallery tourists along the 105, 184, 194 and 221 highways. Additionally, some area restaurants and businesses will offer special discounts to Tour de Art participants. For more information about the Tour de Art, call 828-963-7246.
1. Kevin Beck Studio
1590 Shull’s Mill Road, Boone
828-963-1181
The Kevin Beck Studio, featuring original oils, pastels and giclee prints by Kevin Beck, will feature “Paintings on the Porch,” organic herb tea from the Becks’ garden and 15 percent off all coastal North Carolina and red rock paintings of the Southwestern United States.
2. ArtPurveyors.com
112 Aldridge Park (105 South), Foscoe
828-963-7246
Artpurveyors.com will feature 40 percent off paints and brushes and specials on portable easels and brush washers for participants in the Banner Elk Plein Air Paint Out, taking place during the Tour de Art. Artpurveyors.com also sponsors the first prize for the Paint Out with a complete assortment of M Graham oils, acrylics, watercolors or gouaches—a value of up to $500.
Carlton Gallery will feature the work of several jewelry designers, including this ring collection by artist Laura Fly, during its 4th annual Jewelry Trunk Show on Saturday, August 22, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
3. Carlton Gallery
10360 Highway 105 South, Banner Elk
828-963-4288
During the Tour de Art, Carlton Gallery will host its 4th annual Jewelry Trunk Show, featuring the work of designers Mia Katrin, Carol Francis Goode, Laura Fly, Don Haywood, Ursula Shuler, Tana Acton, Channing Ayers, Zoe Nelson and Amy Eagles.
Some of the jewelry designers will be present to talk with visitors and gallery patrons between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. Each artist has a signature design while working in 14 and 18 to 22 karat gold, precious and semi-precious gemstones, pearls, sterling silver, fossils, crystals, multi-hued beads and sculptural wrapped wire. Light refreshments will be served.
4. Linville Gallery
4004 Highway 105 South, Suite #102, Banner Elk
828-898-8405
The Linville Gallery will feature the works of landscape artist Carol Bodiford at the Tour de Art on Saturday.
“Bodiford’s paintings are dreamlike in a very pleasant way, which gives the viewer a sense of peace and wellbeing,” said Elizabeth Wright, gallery manager. The gallery will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will provide light refreshments.
5. The Art Cellar Gallery & Framemakers
920 Shawneehaw Avenue (Highway 184), Banner Elk
828-898-5175
For the August Tour de Art, the Avery Arts Council and The Art Cellar Gallery co-sponsor the first Plein Air Paint Out, an event celebrating the new Banner Elk Greenway Trail.
Registration for Paint Out participants takes place at the Avery Arts Council from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. The competition is open to both amateur and professional artists, and the public is invited to stroll along the Greenway to view the painters as they work. The event takes place from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., rain or shine.
A reception for artists and visitors will take place at The Art Cellar Gallery from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Prizes will be awarded by guest judge Zoey Brookshire. The Art Cellar is proud to show the work of Brookshire, who is featured in the August issue of High Country Magazine. Brookshire’s oil on canvas and inks on paper can be seen throughout the gallery’s three floors of exhibition space.
In additon, the gallery will feature the Plein Air works of painters Scott Boyle, Richard Oversmith, Margaret Salisbury, Branch Richter, Gregory Smith and Trey Finney.
6. The Cheese House Gallery (Avery Arts Council)
630 Shawneehaw Avenue (Highway 184), Banner Elk
828-898-4292
The Plein Air Paint Out begins at the Avery Arts Council Cheese House, where participants will register between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. The Arts Council and The Art Cellar Gallery co-sponsor the Paint Out, an event celebrating the new Banner Elk Greenway Trail.
The competition is open to both amateur and professional artists, and the public is invited to stroll along the Greenway to view the painters as they work. The event takes place from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., rain or shine. A reception for artists and visitors will take place at The Art Cellar Gallery from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Prizes will be awarded by guest judge Zoey Brookshire.
In addition, the Cheese House Gallery is currently displaying an exhibition called “Along the Avery Quilt Trail,” a collection of watercolor paintings by Sid Boss.
7. Clark Gallery
393 Shawneehaw Avenue (Highway 184), Banner Elk
828-898-2095
The Clark Gallery’s seven featured artists are Bob Clark, Tony Griffin, Gregory L. Smith, James Kerr, Lowell Hayes, Ben Long and Chris Clark. The gallery features oils on canvas and linen.
8. Sally Nooney Art Gallery
7137 Highway 194 South, Banner Elk
828-963-7347
Don’t miss new landscapes and florals by owner/artist Sally Nooney at Sally Nooney Gallery this month. Visiting Irish watercolor artist Paula Vaughan-Wancl will also be at the gallery during the Tour de Art to display recent works and demonstrate her watercolor techniques.
The work of West Jefferson artist Tonya Bottomley is highlighted at Alta Vista Gallery in Valle Crucis. Bottomley was one of 10 finalists in an art magazine cover contest of 16,000 artists.
9. Alta Vista Gallery
2839 Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis
828-963-5247
The Alta Vista Gallery will celebrate the accomplishments of one of its featured artists, local artist Tonya Bottomley, who was selected as one of 10 finalists in ArtSync magazine’s cover contest—a juried competition of 12,000 artists. Bottomley paints oil on canvas in a style reminiscent of Matisse, Picasso or Klee.
Alta Vista Gallery will host a reception to honor Bottomley on Saturday, August 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The public is invited to congratulate the artist, enjoy her work and also taste wines from Shelton Vineyards.
Bottomley has retooled her style to reflect a different part of her personality—and is re-inventing High Country landscapes in the process, said Maria Santomasso-Hyde, gallery owner. The West Jefferson artist previously painted very detailed, realistic oils depicting local landscapes. Her new work still features the local landscapes as oils on canvas, but in a highly stylized, contemporary way, with unexpectedly bold colors.
“I’m having so much fun with my new style,” Bottomley said in a press release. “It reminds me of how I loved to paint as a child.
“I have little interest in a literal record,” she added. “My landscapes combine reality and fantasy.”
10. 87 Ruffin St. Gallery
87 Ruffin Street, Linville
828-737-0420
87 Ruffin St. Gallery features a large collection of Southern folk art, woodcarvings and hundreds of artful pieces, from pottery to handcrafted furniture. The gallery is located at the Old Hampton Store in Linville. Refreshments will be served. The gallery recently received a new shipment of artwork from more than 20 different artists. Live bluegrass music takes place at the Old Hampton Store next door from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
11. Crossnore Gallery
205 Johnson Lane, Crossnore
828-733-3144
For the Tour de Art at the Crossnore Fine Arts Gallery, Jesse Smith will sing and play guitar at the gallery. Photographer Joyce Sellars will exhibit a documentary on Smith called “Living with Retinitis Pigmentisa.”
Visitors can also learn about the Crossnore School, view a fresco by Ben Long, watch weavers at work in the Weaving Room and Museum and enjoy the sounds and smells of the labyrinth and the healing garden.
12. Anvil Arts Studio/Sculpture Gallery
9600 Linville Falls Highway (Highway 221), Linville Falls
828-765-6226
The Anvil Arts Studio and Sculpture Gallery in Linville Falls will provide light refreshments and invites the public to stroll through the sculpture garden gallery and studio. Brown’s works include contemporary sculpture, sculptural lighting and paintings from a myriad of materials, such as steel, copper, bronze and various patinas.
Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
