By Savannah R. Watts
Down in Linville Falls, Bill Brown’s Anvil Arts Studio is featuring the work of Glass Artist Rick Beck for the entire month of June. Beck is known for his untraditional approach to glass art, often using methods of casting, carving and fabricating to make glass sculptures. This Saturday, June 16, Beck will be down in the studio from 10:00 a.m. to noon, and will be giving a Gallery Talk beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Artist Rick Beck’s work ranges from large-scale floor pieces to smaller table and wall art. His work is the synthesis of inspiration from everyday objects, mechanical tools, and the human figure. His work is focused on the strength of form, which is prevalent in all of his works, Liz Brown, Anvil Arts Studio owner and Gallery curator, has known Beck for many years. She says of Beck and his work, “I feel privileged to represent this accomplished and engaging artist in the gallery and am always excited to share his work with those just discovering his sculpture and with his many established collectors.”
Beck was born in Alberta, Canada, but raised in the United States in Nebraska. Since 1984, Beck and his wife Valerie have called North Carolina home and have their own active glass studio. As a boy, Beck’s art centered more around painting and drawing before later crafting with ceramics. His first year at Hastings College in Nebraska changed his preferred medium to glass. He later continued learning about his passion for art during his graduate studies at Southern Illinois University and has been cultivating his love for glass ever since.
Beck’s work has awarded him awards and recognition over the years. He has been awarded the North Carolina Visual Arts Fellowship and the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. Beck has also taught as prestigious art schools in the nation including Pilchuck Glass School and Penland School of Crafts. Beck’s work appears in some permanent museum collections as well as in in corporate and private collections. He has also been exhibited throughout the United States as well as in Denmark and Norway.
With years of experience, Beck continues to defy the norm and creates innovative and unique-minded pieces. He is constantly testing his materials and finds inspiration in challenging mass and line in glass that Beck hopes “will challenge the eye and the mind.” Beck will be sharing more about his artistic processes and inspirations during his Gallery Talk at the Anvil Arts Studio this Saturday morning.
The Anvil Arts Studio was opened in 1981 by Bill Brown as his own working metal studio. Brown decided to develop an outdoor area for displaying large sculptures, and later built a separate gallery studio as well. Owned by Bill and his wife, Liz, the studio’s mission statement reads, “Focused on presenting an exciting mix of artwork, visitors and collectors will have the opportunity to experience a wide range of outdoor sculpture as well as sculpture for interiors.”
While Beck’s work is featured this month, visitors can also see the work of Bill Brown, Tinka Jordy, and Tripp Jarvis this month as well as some small metal pieces by the Anvil Arts Studio. Later this summer Anvil Arts Studio will be hosting a Garden Party on Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days. The studio concludes the summer with guest artist Christine Kosiba.
If you’re curious about the work of Rick Beck or Anvil Arts Studio, come out this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. to view the gallery and hear Beck speak about his work. More information about the studio can be found online at http://www.studiosculpture.com/ or call (828) 765-6226. The studio is located at 9600 Linville Falls Hwy., Linville Falls, NC.
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