Friends of the Avery Arts Council got a sneak peek of the new Cheese House Gallery on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at a members-only reception for photographer Mary Vogel.

Located in Banner Elk, in the same little red-house-by-the-millpond as the Arts Council office, the gallery is known as the Cheese House to honor its original purpose. The circa-1917 building belongs to Lees-McRae College, and was the site of a student-run dairy outlet back in the days when students worked to earn their keep. Photo to left: Avery Arts Council Executive Director LouAnn Morehouse and Artist Mary Vogel.

“The Cheese House Gallery is yet another way for the Arts Council to fulfill our mission to serve area artists and locals,” explained board president Brian Powers. “We will host monthly exhibitions of artwork year-round. Handmade items such as notecards and jewelry will also be available for sale.”

The inaugural exhibit is by Bakersville resident Mary Vogel. Vogel, whose work was featured at the Cannon Hospital’s Dickson Gallery in February, had a career in nursing before devoting herself to photography. A graduate of the Southeastern Center for The Arts (Atlanta), Vogel employed traditional photo processing techniques before digital cameras became advanced enough for professional use. Nowadays she says she “hasn’t been in a darkroom in years,” because digital photography allows her greater creativity, without the need for chemicals. Right: White Calla Lily by Mary Vogel.

Her landscapes, water scenes, and flowers on display at the Cheese House represent just one aspect of Vogel’s work. She is also an accomplished studio photographer, and shoots images of artists’ works as well as projects for corporate clients. Vogel can be contacted via her website, www.maryvogelphotography.com. Vogel’s exhibition at the Arts Council’s Cheese House Gallery will be on view until July 18th. Gallery hours are 10:00AM – 4:00 PM Monday-Friday, and 11:00 AM – 3:00PM Saturdays.

Council members enjoyed a beautiful summer afternoon by the millpond as they gathered to view the first-ever art exhibition at the new Cheese House Gallery. Refreshments by Erick’s Wine and Cheese were served out on the lawn while Arts Council member and guitarist Ellis Aycock provided musical accompaniment to patrons viewing the gorgeous photographs by Mary Vogel.

The Cheese House Gallery is a project of the Avery County Arts Council in fulfillment of the Arts Council’s mission to serve artists and the public in Avery County. In addition to a year-round schedule of monthly exhibitions, the Gallery will soon offer handmade items such as art cards and jewelry. For more information, please call the Arts Council office, 828-898-4292. Photo above left: Mary Ray and Susan Hardin. Photo at right: Avery Arts Council President Brian Powers. Photo below: Allison, Dan Greene and Artist Mary Vogel.

View Cheese House Opening Photo Album. Photos by Aaron Shugars.