1) Catherine J. Smith Gallery at Appalachian State University Presents Pattern of Man, Photographs by Jeff Whetstone
The Catherine J. Smith Gallery at Appalachian State University presents Pattern of Man, an exhibition of photographs by Jeff Whetstone. Pattern of Man is curated by Jody Servon and will be on view from Sept. 9 through Oct. 11. This is the first exhibition organized by the Gallery in the newly renovated Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Jeff Whetstone will discuss his photography and filmmaking on Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. in Belk Library and Information Commons, room 114. A reception for the artist is on Thursday, Sept. 12 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the gallery. Both events are free and open to the public. Pattern of Man is comprised of 23 large-scale black and white photographs spanning 1992-2013. Whetstone has traveled the United States extensively making photographs of nature and human interventions in the landscape. His photography refracts the histories and narratives of Appalachia as well as references his experiences in the landscape. Images in the exhibition were made in locations including the Appalachian Mountains; Joseph, Utah; Harlan, Kentucky; North Platte, Nebraska; New York City and East Haven, Connecticut. Whetstone is interested in sharing his complex relationship to the landscape and has remarked, “I have always felt that the mountains are beautiful and foreboding. The tension that I am drawn to portray comes from a sensibility of beauty and fear, a glorious starkness, and a desperate exuberance that fuels Appalachian music and culture.” Whetstone began making photographs at age 12 and used the camera to record the natural world that surrounded him. Over the past 20 years, his imagery has continued to grapple with issues such as masculinity, violence, grace, death and landscapes that are beautiful, but not always scenic. With the inclusion of numerous large-scale photographs in the exhibition, curator Jody Servon was interested in enveloping viewers with richly detailed images that evoke feelings of awe, anticipation, and at times uneasiness. Servon and Whetstone are particularly interested in providing opportunities for viewers to not only look but to sense what it is like to be looked at. The exhibition title is a reference to James Still’s short story “Pattern of a Man.” Whetstone feels akin to how Still documents culture through personal fiction. In addition, the title is a reference to the intricate and dense patterning occurring in our environment, whether manmade or naturally occurring.
2) Wilkes Playmakers Present Comedy Duck Hunter Shoots Angel in September
The Wilkes Playmakers will be hitting the Benton Hall stage beginning Thursday, Sept. 12, in an uproarious story of two bumbling, duck hunting brothers who have never shot a duck, but believe they have now shot an angel in an Alabama swamp. Word of their fantastic story reaches the editor of the Weekly World and Globe in New York City, and he quickly dispatches a cynical and self-professed writer of crap to go down South and get an exclusive scoop on the unusual story. This quirky comedy centers around two hapless good old boys Duane and Duwell Early, who are convinced they have shot a celestial being. Mix in a burnt out reporter, a wise cracking photographer, a razor sharp Alabama teenager, a long lost love, an egocentric tabloid editor, a half-man-half-aligator, and you have an evening filled with zany characters, thought provoking dialogue, fun and laughter. Directed by Wilkes Playmakers’ own Don Easterling, this production features Playmaker veterans Nat Padgett and travis Collins as Duane and Duwell Early, and Chad Reeves as Sandy. Also appearing are Terrance Andrews as Lenny, David Liles as Lester, Cindy Smith as the Loan Officer, Lucas Matney as Gatorman, Brendetta Huffman as the Young Woman and Meredith Tinnin as Kansas. Don Easterling rates this as one of his top five all time favorite comedic plays and said, “we have a fantastic blend of talent on the stage and this play is not only a lot of fun for the audience in terms of the humor, but it contains a lot of poignant life messages. The themes of regret, redemption, race, stereotyping, sibling rivalry and North versus South culture clashes are all explored. Don’t miss this play, because people are going to be talking about it a lot. Enjoy the show on opening night on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 7:30 p.m. or on a Friday or Saturday night in the following weeks, Sept. 13, 14, 27 and 28. The Box Office opens at 6:30, theater doors open at 7 p.m. and show time is 7:30 p.m. There are also three matinee performances scheduled for Sept. 15, 22 and 29. The box office opens at 1 p.m., theater doors open at 1:30 p.m. and show time is 2 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors over 60, and $6 for military. For additional information, email office@wilkesplaymakers.com or visit us at www.wilkesplaymakers.com. Most appropriate for ages 12 and up. Some mild language.
3) Introduction to Trauma: Identification, Treatment and Referral
The training is from 1-2 p.m. A certificate for an hour of in-service training will be provided free to NASW members, $5 for all others. A pot luck lunch will be provided at 12:30, and this is a time for networking and sharing news. Please bring a dish to share, but your presence is most important. Bring your own cup as we are a green organization. For more information please call Judith at 828-268-1907.