NC Institutional Galleries - Carolina Arts

Woolworth Walk in Asheville, NC,Features Works by Julie Merrill, JodyOchs, and Monty Phillips During JulyWoolworth Walk in Asheville, NC, willpresent an exhibit of jewelry by Julie Merrill,Jody Ochs, and Monty Phillips, onview in the F.W. Front Gallery, from July1 - 30, 2013. A reception will be held onJuly 5, from 5-7pm.www.theartistindex.comWork by Julie MerrillUpon returning to Asheville after yearsof travel Julie Merrill began studyingmedicinal plants and soon after jewelry,which then brought her to an interest inlarger steel work, both sculptural andfunctional.The Professional Crafts Program atHaywood Community College, as wellas Penland School of Craft and John C.Campbell Folk School brought Merrill toa new level of professionalism and skill,and prepared her to step into greater possibilitieswithin metalworking.Jody Ochs’ work is hand formed andfabricated in sterling silver, with 22 karatgold bezels and accents, often using gemstones and pearls as the focal point. Oftenarchitectural in nature - she incorporatesmasculine and feminine forms together,sometimes adding texture presenting adelicate balance of yin and yang.Ochs’ inspiration comes from thenature surrounding her in the beautifulmountains of western North Carolina, andplaces she has lived and traveled. Thistranslates into sculptural, elegant andfluid, yet organic creations.Monty Phillips’ current work is anexercise in exploring the possibilities ofvitreous enamel on sterling silver and copperin regards to form, texture, color andThe Southern Highland Craft Guild, withheadquarters at the Folk Art Center on theBlue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, NC, has arich heritage. The Guild was formed in 1930to promote mountain craftspeople so thatthey could make a living, and so that the region’srich craft history would continue andthrive. For the last 83 years the Guild hassuccessfully done this through educationaloutreach, exhibitions, the Craft Fairs ofthe Southern Highlands, and through craftshops. Continuing this tradition of excellence,the Southern Highland Craft Gallerywill be opening this summer in BiltmoreVillage in Asheville.The Guild purchased the BiltmoreOteen Bank Building on Lodge Street lastyear and has been renovating the spaceover the last several months. The buildingwas completed in 1928. An article in theAsheville Citizen-Times dated Mar. 9, 1928,describes the building, “The exterior of thestructure is of brick, trimmed with Indianalimestone. It is a monumental design of theGeorgian period, the Corinthian order beingemployed on the façade.” The SouthernHighland Craft Gallery is proud to occupythis beautiful space, bringing to it moderninnovations while staying true to its richhistory.The concept of tradition and innovationwill also be seen in the artists’ workWork by Jody Ochsits ability to mimic other materials such asstone, fabric and organic plant life. Mostof his pieces are made by micro shellforming and anticlastic raising exploitingthe plastic quality of the metals.Work by Monty PhillipsUsing these techniques Phillips canmake very unusual forms from a flat metalsheet which are organic in appearance.This is very useful in duplicating nature.For further information check our NCCommercial Gallery listings, call the galleryat 828/254-9234 or e-mail to (info@woolworthwalk.com).Southern Highland Craft GuildOpens New Gallery in Asheville, NCPhoto by Diana Gatesrepresented at the gallery. To be a memberof the Southern Highland Craft Guild artistsmust prove that they are masters of theircraft through a rigorous jury process. Themembership represents traditional andcontemporary artists living in the mountaincounties of nine states from Maryland toAlabama. Visitors to the gallery will notonly be able to learn about the rich craftheritage of the region, they will also learnabout artists who are stretching the boundariesof their craft with modern, innovativetechniques. A wide range of work will besold in the gallery including pottery, glass,wood, jewelry, fiber, metal, paper, mixedmedia and natural materials.The Southern Highland Craft Guild is anon-profit, educational organization establishedin 1930 to bring together the craftscontinued above on next column to the rightTable of Contentsand craftspeople of the Southern Highlandsfor the benefit of shared resources, education,marketing, and conservations.The Crimson Laurel Gallery in Bakersville,NC, will present Strange Offerings:Beyond the Garden Gate, featuring worksby Deborah G. Rogers and Deb Karash,and Alex Matisse: Work from the TenthFiring at East Fork Pottery, both on viewfrom July 1 through Aug. 31, 2013.What lies within, what grows abovebeyond the garden gate? Two womenjoined by a common material and a commonname take you on a journey throughtheir individual insight into strangefindings and unusual discoveries as youexplore this unique hidden garden oflife....Each of these artists employ coloredpencil drawing to bring their works tolife; Deborah G. Rogers, drawing on clay,and Deb Karash, drawing on metal. Thisexhibition will contain unique jewelry andceramic sculpture and collaborative piecesby the artists.The work of Alex Matisse is made in afusion of preindustrial country traditionsin both process and material. “It is fired ina large wood burning kiln and made of asmany local materials as the chemistry willallow, while still affording me the physicalattributes necessary for my aestheticdecisions”.According to Matisse, “I believe in thebeautiful object; that there are inescapableaesthetic truths, physical attributes, thatremove time and place from the definingFor further info check our NC InstitutionalGallery listings, call the gallery at828/277-6222 or visit (www.craftguild.org)Crimson Laurel Gallery in Bakersville,NC, Features Works by Deborah G.Rogers, Deb Karash, and Alex MatisseWork by Alex Matissecharacteristics of the made object. Theseobjects can be viewed today or manyyears from now and be understood asbeautiful. Though their quotidian valuemay become antiquated, their aestheticswill save them.”This exhibition features an outstandingcollection of new pieces from the latestfiring from Matisse.For further information check our NCCommercial Gallery listings, call thegallery at 828/688-3599 or visit (www.crimsonlaurelgallery.com).Don’t see anything here about your exhibit or art space? Did you send it to us?The deadline each month to submit articles, photos and ads is the 24th of the monthprior to the next issue. This will be July 24th for the August 2013 issue and Aug. 24 for theSeptember 2013 issue. After that, it’s too late unless your exhibit runsinto the next month. But don’t wait for the last minute - send your info now.E-mail to (info@carolinaarts.com).Carolina Arts, July 2013 - Page 15