Reception at TACS Jan. 20, 6-8 p.m.

The gallery at Tryon Arts and Crafts School will be transformed into a Zen garden for the new show opening on Saturday, Jan. 21.

Earthen Creations, works in pottery and wood, will be part of an Asian environment consisting of a sand and rock garden, oriental plants and Ikebana arrangements by Judy Melton. The art pieces and environment will be unveiled at the reception for the show on Friday, Jan. 20 from 6-8 p.m.

Several newcomers to the area will show their work for the first time in Tryon. Wood turner Jim Backer and ceramic artist Gary Huntoon, both formerly from Texas, will have pieces on display. Backer has several turned bowls that are constructed of more than 100 different pieces laminated and turned to reveal a patchwork of design and color. Huntoon’s bamboo and manganese steel gray glazed thrown pieces have an oriental feeling. Look for his grandiose “Totem,” a multicolor floor-standing structure comprised of orbs and sticks one on top of each other.

Michael Stoner has a massive redwood wall piece combined with aluminum and brass that dominates any location in which it is displayed. Robin Kirby, Ron Ponce and Jim Cullen, popular local ceramic artists, will have new pieces revealed at the show. Jerry Perry, a member of Tryon Arts and Crafts School, has entered wall pieces that are combinations of wood and ceramic.

Strategically located with the Zen garden are meditation benches created by Chris Carroll, a Mill Spring woodcrafter who is also a Tryon Arts and Crafts School woodworking instructor.

Earthen Creations will run in the Tryon Arts and Crafts School Gallery until March 2. For more information, contact Tryon Arts & Crafts School at 828-859-8323 or tryonartsandcrafts@windstream.net.

More details and examples of gallery items are available on the Tryon Arts and Crafts School website, www.TryonArtsandCrafts.org.

Tryon Arts and Crafts School is a non-profit crafts organization located at 373 Harmon Field Road in Tryon.

– article submitted by Christine Mariotti