May 11: Byron Knight’s Photography Exhibits in Two Spaces;
Photography Reception Next Friday  

 LINVILLE – The Avery Arts Council is pleased to announce the retrospective exhibition of photographer Byron Knight. The photographer, who is from east Tennessee, was residing in Newland when he decided to donate a huge collection of his life’s work to the Avery Arts Council. Boxes upon boxes were received, containing his personal art collection, his art book collection, and his own work. Mr. Knight’s idea behind this donation was for the Arts Council to profit from the sale of these items. An added benefit, no doubt, is that the public gets to enjoy Mr. Knight’s exceptional work while it is displayed.

The Arts Council has placed the photographs in two locations: at the Dickson Gallery inside Cannon Memorial Hospital, and in Erick’s Cheese and Wine – Tasting Room. The work will be displayed at the Dickson until June, and the photos at Erick’s will be kept on display until they are purchased.

It is well worth taking a trip to either location (…or, to both!) to view Mr. Knight’s photos. Not only do they represent a unique artistic statement, they are also an example of a community member’s charitable gesture towards the Avery Arts Council.

And speaking of photography, next Friday (May 18th) will be the Group Photography Show’s reception at the Avery Gallery. The reception is from 6:00pm – 8:00pm and features work from Steve Buettner, Karen Carnes, Kit Clark, Pat Considine, Kathy Davis, Sharon Glatthorn, Skip Sickler, David C. Smith, and Cheryl Zibisky. This event is free and open to the public, shutterbugs and admirers alike!

Avery Arts’ Reasons to Celebrate: Generous Donations
And Photography Receptions!

 LINVILLE – The Avery Gallery is open for the season and more ready than ever to greet visitors. That’s because just recently, one week before opening to be exact, the Arts Council was the recipient of many generous donations. The gallery’s restroom has received a gorgeous remodel, complete with new tile, vanity, sink, mirror, light fixture, paint, and all the trimmings! If that weren’t enough, the hallway leading to the bathroom is now awash in fresh paint and sports a new sophisticated track light, finally making it suitable for displaying art!

To whom do we owe the debt of gratitude? Many generous community members: Dayne Anderson of Anderson Tile Works and Remodeling, Ryan Webb of Webb Painting, and the wonderful patrons who donated all the materials!  Dayne and his crew worked tirelessly over the course of the week, transforming the forgettable, out-of-date bathroom into an artful space fit for a gallery!  When asked why he would take on such a project, Dayne said,

“It felt good to do something for the community….artists use their minds to express themselves, but I use power tools!” The results of such expressions, and of those made by Webb Painting, are beautiful.

Come see the transformation for yourself. The perfect time to do so would be during the Group Photography Show’s reception, on May 18th from 6 – 8pm.  Then you will not only get to tour our new hallway and restroom, but also view the photos and meet the photographers! The Group Photography Show features work from Steve Buettner, Karen Carnes, Kit Clark, Pat Considine, Kathy Davis, Sharon Glatthorn, Skip Sickler, David C. Smith, and Cheryl Zibisky.

This exhibition is on display until Sunday, May 20th. Gallery hours are Wednesday – Saturday, 10am – 6pm; Sunday 12pm – 6pm. Now is the time to come visit the Avery Gallery, made even more beautiful by the help of our community members: artists, patrons, and craftsmen alike!

May 26: The ScrapParty, a loosely-guided art project turning ‘junk’ into art! Led by junk-artist extraordinaire John D. Richards of Yummy Mud Puddle Studio. 10am - 3pm. FREE! See his work at yummymudpuddle.com or at 87 Ruffin St.Gallery.

June 16- Workshop: Trash Art taught by John D. Richards. Learn sculptural assemblage skills for turning the discarded in to art. All materials included. 10am - 3pm (with lunch break). $30/person. Pre-register.

June 25-29 & July 9 - 13 - Class: Kid’s Pottery Classes return, taught by potter Joe Comeau. Joe’s much-loved classes return, this time taught from the new home of his Two Trees Pottery, right next to the Avery Gallery! $15/student/day, 1 - 3pm. Joe’s work is currently on display at 87 Ruffin Street Gallery. Pre-register.

July 14- Workshop: Paper and Bookmaking taught by artist Sigrid Hice. Former Artist-in-Residence for Avery County Schools, Sigrid has taught at Penland and John C. Campbell Folk School. 10am-3pm, $30/person. Pre-register

July 16-20 - Class: Knitting for Kids: Simple Scarf Project taught by professional knitwear designer, teacher and author Shirley MacNulty. Find her work in the Avery Gallery! For rising grades 4 - 8. From 1-3pm. $30/person. All materials included. Pre-register.

July 28 - Workshop: Inventive Jewelry Making taught by John D. Richards of Yummy Mud Puddle whose jewelry is carried by 87 Ruffin St. Gallery. Learn how to make beautiful pieces out of scrap odds & ends! All materials included.$30/person, 10am-3pm (with lunch break). Pre-register.

August 6 - 10th - Class: Knitting for Teens: Scarf Project taught by master knitter Shirley MacNulty, whose work is on display at the Avery Gallery. For rising grades 9-12. From 1 - 3pm. $30/person. All materials included. Pre-register.

August 18th - 4th Annual Banner Elk Paint-Out co-hosted by the Art Cellar in Banner Elk. Held along the Banner Elk Greenway, from 10am - 3pm. Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, People’s Choice, and Kid’s category (16 & younger). $30/adults, $15/kids.

All events are held on the grounds of the Avery Gallery, 77 Ruffin St. (behind the Old Hampton Store) Linville, NC. (except the Paint-Out). For more information or to register, please call 828-733-0054 or email info@averycountyartscouncil.org. Pre-registration is recommended & can be done up to one week before each class. Space is limited - come join the fun this summer with the Avery Arts Council!

The Avery Arts Council Springs into Season

 LINVILLE – The Avery Arts Council’s Avery Gallery will open for the season on Friday, April 13th at 10am. This year begins with a group photography show, featuring some of the best High Country photographers. Exhibiting are Steve Buettner, Karen Carnes, Kit Clark, Pat Considine, Kathy Davis, Sharon Glatthorn, Skip Sickler, David C. Smith, and Cheryl Zibisky. Gallery guests will also get a sneak-peek of next month’s exhibition at the Dickson gallery, when we will proudly present a retrospective of the photography of Newland resident Byron Knight.

In addition to the photography exhibit, the Avery Gallery is bursting at the seams with the beautiful and creative wares of our shop artists. The Arts Council had added many new artisans to the Avery Gallery. It is now where you can find wood-turned bowls, handmade furniture, shawls, hats, purses, gorgeous jewelry…all in addition to fine art!

Meanwhile, April is the month for student artwork from Avery County Schools at the Dickson Gallery, inside Cannon Hospital. Stop in this month to see what the young artists in our county are creating! The reception for this show will take place on Tuesday, April 17th from 5:30 – 6:30pm.

To celebrate the Avery Gallery’s opening, and to herald spring in general, the Arts Council is co-hosting a huge ART YARD SALE with the Old Hampton Store and 87 Ruffin Street Gallery. The whole compound in Linville is spring cleaning, and there are unique treasures to be found! The ART YARD SALE will be from 9am – 3pm on Friday, April 13th; 9am – 3pm on Saturday, April 14th, and from 12pm – 3pm on Sunday, April 15th. Don’t miss it!

For more information, call the Arts Council at (828) 733-0054 or email info@averycountyartscouncil.org. The Avery Gallery’s spring hours are Wednesday – Saturday, 10am to 6pm; Sunday 12pm – 6pm.

Please come join us in celebrating Spring, and all the creative talent that grows in the High Country!