Artists Alley Studio Tour in Blowing Rock September 4 to 6

Story by Anna Oakes

Step into the living and working spaces of an artists’ neighborhood on the weekend of Friday to Sunday, September 4 to 6, during the annual Artists Alley Studio Tour and Sale in Blowing Rock.

The tour features four homes and 13 artists, with works including sculpture, metals, jewelry, metal fibers and paintings in oils, mixed media, acrylics, watercolor and egg tempura. New artists will join established artists.

A public reception on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. opens the tour and takes place at each of the four homes and studios. Refreshments will be served. The tour continues on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free.

Artists Alley, located three miles south of downtown Blowing Rock off Highway 221, has been home to artists since the mid-20th century, when the area was developed as a residential art colony. Former and current residents of the neighborhood include Philip Moose, Herb Cohen, Jose Fumero, Frank Sherrill and Lynn Jenkins.

Barbara Ballesty joins several artists who have opened their homes to the tour and who have coordinated the event each year.

“We’ve alternated running it, but we all pitch in and help each other with it,” Ballesty said. “It definitely is run from the people who are living on the alley. It is a local neighborhood show with invited guests.”

Ballesty will present ceramic and appliqué works, and joining Ballesty at her house will be sculptor Alex Hallmark, whose life-sized statues will be displayed along the alley. L.C. Neill will also be at Ballesty’s house presenting work in egg tempura and oils along with watercolor painter Adeline Sauer.

Artists Alley resident Kate Colclaser will show works in ceramics and sculpture, and her home will also host guest jeweler April Graham.  
         
The house of Artists Alley resident Julianne Spradlin will feature guest artists including metalsmith and jeweler Laura Cardwell and ceramist SaraBeth Metzger. 

At the home of mixed media artist Marie Hosfield will be guest artists Virginia Nuckolls, presenting works in metal fiber, along with mixed media artist Sharon Moore, mixed media artist and painter Julia Allen and oil painter Lisa Pepper.

The art available for sale will range from gifts to collectible pieces, Ballesty said.

Signs for the tour will be posted along Highway 221, and participating studios and homes will be marked with stars.

For more information, call 828-295-6331.

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