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BRAHM Announces Free Tour Dates To ‘North Carolina Treasures’ Exhibit for Sept. 13, 15-16

Sept. 10, 2012. The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum’s new exhibit, North Carolina Treasures: A Painter, A Potter and a Rocking Chairmaker, celebrates the work and lives of three of North Carolina’s most talented and beloved artists and artisans: renowned painter Bob Timberlake, potter Glenn Bolick and seventh-generation chairmaker Max Woody.

On Thursday, Sept. 13 at 4:30 p.m., there will be free admission to the museum with a tour. On Saturday, Sept. 15 and Sunday, Sept. 16 at 2 p.m., visitors receive a tour free with admission.

Visitors to the exhibit will see examples of the artists’ fine work that spans their long careers as well as memorabilia, tools, photographs and other belongings that tell the stories of their lives.

“We are delighted to have these three exceptional North Carolinians in this exhibit,” said BRAHM Executive Director Joann Mitchell. “Each of them has created a lasting legacy with their work, and we are glad that we are able to share that with our visitors.”

Bob Timberlake

Lexington native Timberlake, who turns 75 this year, is one of North Carolina’s most recognized and successful living artists. He devoted himself to painting in 1969 after receiving encouragement from the legendary American artist Andrew Wyeth. Since Timberlake’s first exhibition in Winston-Salem in 1970, he has been featured in galleries in North Carolina, New York, Washington, D.C., Germany and Japan. North Carolina Treasures will feature a selection of his original works that represent his career, along with memorabilia and personal items that illustrate his interests and inspiration.

The multi-talented Bolick is a testament to traditional mountain arts. He is an accomplished old-time musician, storyteller and potter.  His wife Lula is the daughter of Seagrove potter M.L. Owen, who also taught Bolick how to work clay. Nearly 40 years ago, Glenn and Lula built a kiln and pottery shop on the Bolick family land in Blackberry (on the Caldwell County-Watauga County line). Today, they and their daughter Janet and son-in-law Michael Calhoun continue to operate their shops there. North Carolina Treasures will display pieces of Bolick pottery as well as memorabilia from the Bolick and Owens families.

Known as “The Chair Man,” McDowell County’s Max Woody has been making chairs for more than 60 years. The Woody Family has been known for generations for their quality handmade products, and Max continues that tradition with his fine rocking chairs and stools, sold nationally and beyond. BRAHM has a set of Max Woody chairs on its own porch, and the exhibit will also include other examples of Woody’s work, along with traditional tools used in woodworking and other items from the artisan’s long career.

Admission to the Preview Party is $30 and includes a sneak peek at the exhibit, a chance to meet the artists and light refreshments. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 828-295-9099 x 3001 or at the door. General admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 and up, students and active military.

The Museum, located at 159 Chestnut St. on the corner of Chestnut and Main, is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday (closed on Mondays). For more information, visit www.blowingrockmuseum.org or call 828-295-9099. 

Those interested in becoming gallery guides or greeters, call BRAHM at 295-9099.