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Watauga Arts Council Hosts Second Saturday June 14

June 10, 2014. On Saturday, June 14, The Watauga County Arts Council will host the monthly Second Saturday Celebration at the Blue Ridge ArtSpace. Check out the exhibits that are in store for you this month!

imgres-1Main Gallery: This month’s exhibition is “Petal Pushers,” a revival of an exhibition which the Arts Council sponsored many years ago and remembers quite fondly. Gallery Chairperson Marsha Holmes has created a unique logo for this exhibition which characterizes the spirit of the exhibit- a celebration of all things floral and lighthearted celebration of the many blooms which are finally emerging in our gardens. Artists were invited to submit works of art in any medium but the overriding criteria is that it must have a floral theme. As a result, the exhibition includes a bass-relief wood carving by Wayne Allen, an assortment of paintings and drawings in a wide variety of mediums, baskets by Pat Moritz, pressed flowers by Shirley MacNulty and a fused glass pendant by Theresa McGrath. The works will be judged and the following prizes will be awarded at Saturday evening’s event: Most Creative, Most Colorful, Most Unique, Most Fun and Best in Show. Participating artists include Margie Bennett, Sandra Smack, Judy Clarke, Chris Cole, Chloe Coleman, Sally Anderson, JoAnn Pippin, Judith Reese, Vangie Platt, Barbara Hinkle, Wendy Hayek, Micki Stein, Bob Stein, ElaineEllington, Kay Morrow, Marsha Holmes, Marion Cloaninger, Pegge Laine, Steve Newhouse, Theresa McGrath, Shirley MacNulty, Sondra Edwards, Wayne Allen, Lois Sessons, Francine Barr and Pat Moritz.

Open Door Gallery: Marion Cloaninger is sharing her “Abstract Obsession” with a collection of eighteen of her newest works. While Marion has a full-time career in the medical profession, she has still managed to be a very productive artist for quite a few years. In fact, her resume is most impressive with a string of exhibitions scattered across the High Country and also extending to include several benefit exhibitions as far away as New York City. Although primarily a self-taught artist, Marion has nevertheless taken numerous classes to develop and polish her own skills. She has also taught collage and marbling classes for nearly ten years. She has received numerous awards for her work during those same years.

Like many artists, Marion is not content to keep to the same style or subject matter. Instead, her work has evolved over her artistic career and has most recently taken on more and more of an abstract quality, featuring strong, vibrant colors which literally shine with the glow of a new glaze technique which she has begun to use regularly on all her work. She says she often just begins with a drawing and then begins to listen to the artwork as it emerges and responds by developing the images with painting and collage. Her exhibition does include a good number of works on the walls, but there are also smaller matted pieces available and a broad grouping of one-of-a-kind magnets which each feature an original work of art.

When describing her innovative artwork, Marion says, “there is nothing more enjoyable than the creative process. Your mind is in a different place, leaving behind all worries and concept of time. Spirals, circles, abstract designs, textures and figures have always intrigued me. I employ use of bright colors and elements of collage to bring excitement to a work of art. Exploring mixed media and beautiful colors is comparable to indulging in a good dark chocolate.”

Serendipity Gallery: “Be Still” is the name given to this month’s eclectic collection of floral and still life works created by the Serendipitous artists who are Marsha Holmes’ students. Artists whose work are included in this show are Vangie Platt, Linda Normal, Judy Clarke, Lois Norris, Beverly Stahl, Sondra Edwards, Judy Wright, Helen Carroll, Sue Lundgren, Ann Golzalez, Barbara Hinkle, Kathy Copley, William Bass, Sandra Smack, Kit Fisher, Jean Stillwell and Nancy Howard.

The Tarheel Footprints Children’s Gallery is giving the “young at art” artists a chance to develop their own “Petal Pusher” creations. With an assortment of materials available, we are expecting an emerging garden which will compliment the exhibitions in the surrounding galleries. We are encouraging young artists to bring along their families and make it a joint effort and then display the results in the Children’s Gallery for the remainder of the exhibition period, after which you are encouraged to come pick up your artwork and take it home to enjoy.

All of the galleries are sponsored by Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff.

The five colorful classrooms will once again be filled with creative energy. Each of the five classrooms will feature a new arts adventure. Among the featured artists this month are Chris Cole, who will be demonstrating techniques of oil painting; David Smith, who will be playing classical guitar; Shirley MacNulty will be demonstrating the art of pressed flower compositions and Mary Karam will be demonstrating painting techniques.

There will also be plenty of shopping in the Gift Shop and light refreshments. All WCAC Members are reminded that during the second Saturday weekend they are entitled to a 10 percent discount while shopping in the Gift Shop just for showing their membership card! Since we are closed on Sundays, the weekend is defined as Friday and Saturday June 13-14.