Tryon Painters and Sculptors will celebrate the grand opening of their newly acquired gallery and studio space at 78 N. Trade Street in downtown Tryon on Saturday, March 7. The celebration will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 6 p.m. followed by a brief history of Tryon Painters and Sculptors presented by Mike McCue.

The festivities will continue with a reception immediately following. The public is invited and refreshments will be served.

Tryon Painters and Sculptors was able to recently purchase the building through the conservative financial management of former board member Jeanne Parker and other previous members of the board of directors, as well as through the generous donations of the Danis bequest, Hertha “Tah” Flack and a significant grant from the Polk County Community Foundation.

Tryon Painters and Sculptors is a 501(c )(3) non-profit corporation. The recent Building Fund Drive to help pay for renovations and adaptive changes needed to the building surpassed the goal of $25,000. The funds will be further augmented with a matching grant from the Polk County Community Foundation.

The grand opening celebration reception will also mark the opening of a gallery show featuring guest artists William and Ann Jameson. Bill Jameson credits growing up surrounded by the natural beauty and rich history of South Carolina with inspiring his childhood ambitions of becoming an artist.

After studying with Frank Rampola at the Ringling School of Art in Florida, Jameson continued his studies while teaching landscape painting and life drawing as a graduate assistant at the Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. Bill prefers to define his paintings as “explorations” as opposed to labeling one of his works “a scene.” His artistic mission is to delve deep, past the surface magnificence of the individual elements in the landscape to reveal the mystery and power of nature.

Bill’s wife, Ann Jameson, draws inspiration from the architecture and daily activity of the charming towns and villages that dot the landscapes of Italy, France and Mexico as well as rural America. They have long fascinated her for subject matter. She enjoys the architectural subjects particularly for the graphic design aspects of a composition, but also for the wonderful color. She enjoys the opportunity for some interesting plays of light and shadow, which can provide drama or ‘mystery’ to a painting.

The Members Gallery will also feature the works of Maxine Tatreau, Lori Heckelman, Karen Johnston and Jim Greene. The grand opening celebration and gallery shows will continue through April 18.

For additional information contact Aviva Kahn at 828-894-6347. You can also visit Tryon Painters and Sculptors Gallery and Studios at 78 N. Trade Street in downtown Tryon. Additional information can be found at www.tryonpaintersandsculptors.com.

– Submitted by John Patterson