1) Concert at St. John’s Aug. 31
Sunday, Aug. 31, St. John’s Episcopal Church will present its final concert of the season with the return for the fourth time of the a capella choir from Trinity Cathedral in Colombia, South Carolina. These exquisite voices, with an extensive repertoire that includes early chants, the renaissance and wonderful old spirituals, have thrilled audiences each year. Bring along a picnic to share after the concert and meet with our guest musicians. St. John’s is located on Herb Thomas Rd. just off of Mast Gap Road. Signs will be posted. For more information, call 828-963-4609.
2) Crossnore Fine Arts Gallery Presents: From the Wild
What fuels creative work? My sparks come from the wild: wild meaning nature; wild meaning unplanned, uncontrolled and unconscious. I worked mostly with stoneware clay until 2009, when I shifted to porcelain. It was only in retrospect that I realized that it was Avery County’s ice, snow and rivers that pulled me to the luminosity of porcelain and a palette of glazes referencing the quality of light in these mountains. My “Dreamscape” series evolved from a six-week camping trip to the Yukon and Alaska in 2013: recurring images of a tiny house in the midst of the immense, untamed nature. So after 40 years of making vases, bowls and mugs on a kick wheel, I began hand building sculptural pieces of a tiny cabin in the wild, pressing small bits of porcelain together face-down so I could smooth the back and join the pieces together. The completed scene is always a surprise, revealed when I turn the piece over the next morning, so I call the series “Dreamscapes.” What pulls me into my studio every morning: surprises and challenges. I spray, spritz and layer glazes, experimenting so that every piece is different and every kiln opening is full of surprises. And challenges: that’s where teapots come in, the challenge of making a complex form that works well, aesthetically and functionally. I am currently celebrating three milestones: my 60th birthday, 40 years of working in clay and 30 years with my soul mate, Dan Greene. I am deeply grateful for this wild and glorious ride of life, love and clay and for dear friends and family who nurture and share creative sparks along the way. Please join us on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 4-6 p.m. at the Crossnore Fine Arts Gallery and come into the wild to meet Patti Connor – Greene and enjoy her beautifully creative Dreamscape series and a few tea pots! The exhibit will be on display from Sept. 6-Oct. 1. For more information please contact Heidi Fisher at 828-733-3144 or by email at hfisher@crossnoreschool.org. The Crossnore Fine Arts Gallery specifically supports the Crossnore School’s Stepping STones Program which transitions our students from foster care to successful independent living. The Crossnore Fine Arts Gallery is located on the campus of Crossnore School at 205 Johnson Lane in Crossnore. For more information please visit www.crossnoreschool.org or call 828-733-4305.
3) New Field Hockey Stadium Named
Appalachian State University field hockey’s new facility has officially been named Brandon and Erica M. Adcock Field at Appalachian Field Hockey Stadium, ASU announced on Friday. The Adcocks are responsible for the lead gift for the stadium’s field. Both Brandon and Erica are Appalachian State alumni. Erica was a three time all-conference selection as a member of Appalachian’s field hockey program from 2003-2006. Brandon is the co-founder of Direct Digital LLC, the developer and marketer of many leading wellness and nutritional supplements. In 2013, the Adcocks received the Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Award for their exceptional service to the university and accomplishments in their careers. The new field is located on the site of the former Appalachian Soccer Stadium at Appalachian’s State Farm Fields complex. The field hockey-specific facility includes a water-based Tufted-Astroturf playing surface that deposits 400 gallons of water per minute and will have the field at an optimum play level in ten minutes. “Having the new turf enables us to practice every day on the same surface we will be competing on for every game even when we travel to other schools,” said head coach Brandi Alexander Kist. “This will enable our team to develop better skills and consistency to be more competitive.” The stadium has seating for 450 spectators and a new scoreboard. Long range plans for the stadium will include the installation of lights, construction of locker rooms, a concession/souvenir stand and permanent restrooms. The first official match in the new stadium will be played Aug. 29 when the Georgetown Hoyas come to Boone.