The exhibitions at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts at Appalachian State University change multiple times a year so that visitors can explore new art every several months. There are, however, two exhibitions that occur annually and are always enthusiastically embraced by the community. The “Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition” (AMPC) and “Pieces of the Puzzle: Community Outreach,” will open on March 3, 2017, which coincides with the First Friday Downtown Boone Art Crawl.
New Exhibitions
“Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition”
In its 14th year, the Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition (AMPC) provides both amateur and professional photographers the opportunity to showcase their interpretation of the unique character, people, places and pursuits that distinguish the Southern Appalachians. The categories include: Adventure, Blue Ridge Parkway, Culture, Our Ecological Footprint, Flora/Fauna and Landscape.
Over 900 entries were submitted and the jury panel selected 48 finalist images which are on display in the Mezzanine Gallery beginning March 3. Visitors to the Turchin Center are invited to participate in the People’s Choice Award selection beginning on Friday, March 3 through March 24, 2017. All awards will be announced on Saturday March 25, 2017, at the Saturday screening of the Banff Film Festival and through media outlets. Rich Campbell associate director of Appalachian’s Outdoor Programs says, “We are excited about the images this year. We are particularly thrilled about the number of ASU students who had images selected this year for the highly selective competition.”
The jury who selected the 48 finalist images and the final award winning photographs are two highly accomplished photographers and artists. Andrew Caldwell is a professor of commercial photography, as well as a practicing commercial and contemporary fine art photographer. Ann Pegelow Kaplan is a professor in the Department of Cultural, Gender, and Global Studies, and is a faculty affiliate of the Department of Art and Interdisciplinary Studies.
The AMPC is a partnership between Appalachian State University’s Outdoor Programs, the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts and the Virtual Blue Ridge. The AMPC provides support for the university’s Outdoor Programs and their extended expeditions that are educational journeys of discovery that take students around the world. The competition is generously sponsored by the Mast General Store and supporters include the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, Nikon Cameras, Stickboy Bread, Bistro Roca, Peabody’s, Smoky Mountain Living, Footsloggers of Blowing Rock, and Appalachian Voices. Visit the AMPC for more information: www.appmtnphotocomp.org
The “Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition” exhibition will be housed in the Mezzanine Gallery from March 3 to June 3, 2017.
“Pieces of the Puzzle: Community Outreach”
The Turchin Center’s arts and education outreach programs connect the university arts resources to a diverse audience of students, arts patrons, teachers and learners. There are many “pieces of the puzzle” of the Turchin’s outreach programs and each piece strengthens community participation in the arts by creating an environment in which individuals of all ages experience the power and excitement of creating art.
This exhibition celebrates the process of art making and of free play that participants experience when they respond to color, texture, and design in the world around them. According to Pegge Laine, Outreach Coordinator, “When participants let go of the voice that says ‘but I am not an artist’ they allow their creative spirits to soar.”
Participating outreach groups include the following:
- Hidden Talents features the collage, alcohol inks and painting of adults from the historic Junaluska Community. They have come together through art, and now share with one another, encouragement and support while relieving stress and promoting healing.
- Beyond our Walls highlights the art of disabled adults from Watauga Opportunities. They support and encourage one another as they create work from the heart and strengthen self-esteem through each project completed.
- Healing Arts offers opportunities for homeless children and adults at the Hospitality House and Raven Rock. This provides a safe haven and creative play while creating small art projects to taken with them during their journeys.
- The Artist Within is a 6-week expressive arts program for third and fourth graders and focuses on self-esteem, goal setting and problem solving which allows them to identify and express their emotions. This program is sponsored in part by Blue Ridge Electric Membership Cooperative.
- WYN with Art allows adolescents in the Watauga Youth Network, a relaxed atmosphere to express their feelings, concerns and hope for the future through art.
- Inkalicious is an open studio experience for community members and Appalachian students to explore the magic of alcohol inks.
- Blazing Easels allows students age 7-12 an opportunity to create masterpieces while learning about art and artists of different cultures.
The “Pieces of the Puzzle: Community Outreach” exhibition is sponsored in part by Appalachian Home Care and will be housed in the Community Gallery March 3 to June 3, 2017.
Art lovers are encouraged to visit the Turchin Center during the following Friday evening gatherings:
Exhibition Celebration: Friday, April 7, 2017 (6 – 10 p.m.)
Continuing Exhibitions at the Turchin:
- A Thousand Steps, A Thousand Stitches: Narrative Quilts by Susan Sharpe (ends May 6)
- Useful Work: Photographs of Hickory Nut Gap Farm by Ken Abbott (ends May 6)
- Studio Practices: Penland 9 (ends June 6)
- Collective Vigilance: Speaking for the New River (ends July 29)
Visit www.tcva.org/exhibitions for detailed information on all the exhibitions
About the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, named for university benefactors Robert and Lillian Turchin, fulfills Appalachian State University’s long-held mission of providing a home for world-class visual arts programming. The largest facility of its kind in the region, the center presents exhibition, education and collection programs that support the university’s role as a key educational, cultural and service resource. The center presents multi-dimensional exhibits and programs and is a dynamic presence in the community, creating opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the power and excitement of the visual arts.
The Turchin Center is located at 423 West King St., in Boone. Hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tues. – Thurs. and Saturday, and Noon – 8 p.m., Friday. The Center is closed Sunday and Monday, and observes all university holidays. Admission is always free, although donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, call 828-262-3017 or visit tcva.org.
For additional details about the Turchin Center, becoming a donor, the upcoming exhibitions, to be added to the mailing list or to schedule a tour, please call (828) 262-3017 or visit www.tcva.org. You can also follow the Turchin Center on Facebook and Twitter @TurchinCenter.
Sponsors
The Turchin Center receives critical support from a group of outstanding media sponsors that are dedicated to promoting the arts in our region, including: High Country 365, High Country Radio, WFDD 88.5, WDAV 89.9 and WASU 90.5FM.
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