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Wood, Clay and Fiber Art Now On Display at Carlton Gallery’s 33rd Autumn Group Exhibition

Bobby Phillips  - Jarrah burl - ebony - found metal -2
Bobby Phillips – Jarrah burl – ebony – found metal -2

A beautiful Autumn Season in the High Country enhances Carlton Gallery’s 33rd Autumn Group Exhibition with its focus on wood, clay and fiber art by the many talented and innovative artists the gallery represents.

Wood artists James Thoma, Allen Davis, Robert Crowell, and Alan Hollar have a passion for crafting, carving and turning wood which is exhibited in a fine collection including sculptural, boxes, bowls, vessels, platters and urns.

Bobby Phillips crafts vessels, bowls and urns from cherry burl, spalted maple, bleached willow, rhododendron and box elder to name of the few of the woods he utilizes. Phillips’ art work is classically shaped and remarkably thin. Many pieces feature carving, surface texturing, ebony finials and inlaid materials of chrysocolla and turquoise displaying graceful shapes and striking grain patterns. His art work shows the deep beauty that lies beneath the bark of native trees, combined with his highly skilled expertise with a blade and lathe.  His technical skills are influenced by his engineering and computer background which allows him to create such unique works of art. About his craft Phillips says, “It’s just an obsession with me. It’s what I like to do and I learn something every single day doing woodturning”.

One- of- a kind works in clay are exhibited by artists Nancy Lewis, John Turner, Jayne Harris, Gordon Batten, Patti Connor-Greene, Maggie Black, Kathleen Ryall, Maureen McGregor and Marty Allran whose art work embodies originality, creativity and the artists’ interpretation of beauty.

Ralph Mello - Pottery - Olive Jar - 204
Ralph Mello – Pottery – Olive Jar – 204

Ralph Mello is a new gallery clay artist who creates wheel thrown stoneware with high fire gas reduction glazes and stained glass. His designs employ classical, sculptural and functional forms using different textures, colors, and shapes. His inspiration is derived from the historic, classical ceramics of the Chinese and Greek to the whimsical fantasy of Antoni Gaudi’s architecture. His collection on exhibit is comprised of vases, lidded jars, pitchers and bowls.

The gallery has an eclectic collection from local and regional clay artists whose works range from functional, hand-crafted pottery in mugs, baking casseroles, butter dishes, plates and bowls, as well as pitchers and sponge holders. This functional pottery is oven, microwave and dishwasher safe and can be enjoyed for many years.

Lynn Shallis is a local artisan whose artistically crafted baskets project a heightened art form that is outstanding to view on many levels. Shallis says, “Color, shape and size each play their part. My inspiration comes somewhat from life’s experiences and images impressed upon the mind. Using some and discarding others, a basket coalesces as this process takes place”.

Fiber art in many forms is at the gallery including ponchos and ruanas by Princy Art which are knitted in a silk/rayon blend with an open weave and sculptured flowers in front. Hand-woven Mobius shawls by Nancy Roberson, along with woven cotton jackets by Venus; felted wood hats and scarves by Vasanto; reversible jackets in beautiful fabrics by Trimdin and versatile scarves in silk, linen and cotton blends in lovely autumn colors add a touch of elegance to the 33rd Autumn Group Exhibition.

Lynn Shallis - Cat Head Basket with stones Turquoise and Green 2
Lynn Shallis – Cat Head Basket with stones Turquoise and Green

Enjoy the changing season and visit Carlton Gallery’s 33rd Autumn Group Exhibition with an emphasis on wood, clay and fiber art which runs through November 15. A special exhibit by Warren Dennis, “Celebrating a Lifetime of Art”, also runs through November 15 and showcases his “cubist style of painting for the 21st century”.

The gallery is located 10 miles south of Boone and 7 miles north of Linville on NC 105 in the Grandfather Mountain community with hours 10 to 5 Tuesday through Saturday and 11 to 5 on Sunday. For information on artists, exhibitions or workshops, call 828-963-4288 or visit www.carltongallery.com.