July 31, 2013. It’s official, the Nth Degree is now old enough to drive. And everyone’s invited to help us celebrate!
Boone’s “underground art venue on the second floor,” the Nth Degree Gallery and Studios is celebrating their 16th anniversary with a special doubleheader fundraiser and celebration on Friday, Aug. 2, in conjunction with downtown Boone’s First Friday Art Crawl.
The evening will feature events at two separate events downtown. First, at the Nth Degree Gallery a special exhibit by current members will be on display from 7:30 p.m. through midnight. Acoustic music and culinary treats by friends and family will also be available, and members will be on hand to answer any questions about the gallery.
Secondly, the Nth will host a special Sweet and Sixteen Prom at the High Country Press building from 7:30-11 p.m. Everyone is invited (fancy duds encouraged but not required!) to dance to live music by Isani Howell, Brian Swanson, Katerwaul and Nomadic, view art by former members and mingle with current and former Nthians and artists. THe evening will also feature a raffle drawing for awesome prizes and a silent auction for some special art including a never-before-seen Wiili. All proceeds from the raffle and auction benefit the Nth Degree.
The Prom will also feature a special “supporters lounge” featuring special eats and treats and a birds-eye view of the festivities, available to individuals who donate $75 or more.
The Nth Degree Gallery was founded in the late 1990s by a group of artists looking for studio space to show their own work. The members quickly expanded their mission to host shows by other artists. Today, the Nth takes a special emphasis on providing emerging and young artists with a unique, and often first, gallery experience.
The Nth Degree currently has six studio spaces and seven members. To date, the gallery has sponsored over 150 shows, exhibited more than 600 artists and incubated close to 100 member artists.
Funds raised by the “never-for-profit” studio go directly to offsetting monthly operating costs, including power and water bills, paint for the walls, toilet paper and other needs (rent is paid for by the individual members). Extra funds raised over the basic needs will help with desperately needed gallery repair, including fixing broken windows and replacing aging and broken equipment including a power drill, belt sander and refrigerator.
Sponsors and business supporters of the show include High Country Press, SOS Printing, Espresso News and Low Wine Bar, Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Haircut 101, Shear Shakti, Bead Box, Stickboy Bread Company, Earthfare and many, many more.
So dig out your old prom dress or bow tie and help the Nth Degree keep the lights on for yet another year.
The Nth Degree Gallery is located at 683 West King Street in downtown Boone. The High Country Press building is located at 130 N. Depot Street, also downtown.
If you’re unable to attend but would still like to support or learn more about the Nth, visit nthdegreegallery.com or facebook.com/pages/Nth-Degree-Gallery.