Art Trek Tryon: Foothills Open Studios will take place on Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 6, noon to 5 p.m. For this annual event, 34 artists in Polk County and Landrum will open their studios to the public free of charge.
One of the newer artists to Tryon and Art Trek is Mary Lou Diekmann, recently from Rhode Island, where she painted landscapes and designed sculptural jewelry that incorporates pottery, fabric and semi-precious stones then sold as brooches. Since moving to western North Carolina she said she has found tremendous inspiration in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and has continued her portrait painting.
Other artists new to Art Trek Tryon 2012 are Vicky Van Vynckt from Sante Fe, N.M.; Jean-Jacque Benoist and his wife, Susan, who retired here and convert photography to art; Chris Ray, who is a metal sculptor and charcoal artist; and Pat Roshaven, a painter for more than 30 years who lives in Columbus.
Art Trek Tryon is a self-driven tour; brochures with a map can be picked up at the Upstairs Artspace in Tryon and other businesses in the area.
An exhibit of works by all the artists opens at the Upstairs on Friday, May 4, with a preview party from 5 to 8 p.m. Call 828-859-2828.
– article submitted by Karen Jones