The Depot Room at Millard & Company at the railroad crossing in the center of town is displaying 20 years of poster design in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Barbeque Festival, just in time for the Gallery Trot on May 11. The festival is one of several nationally known local traditions so whet your appetite by stopping by to view these posters.

Thompson Art and Garden Gallery on Palmer Street will present The Art of Outdoor Living. The Thompsons represent 38 local artists in the gallery and carry Kingsley-Bate Outdoor Furniture, Pawley’s Island Hammocks and more.

Skyuka Fine Art on Trade Street will have a drawing to win a charcoal portrait by Richard Christian Nelson. Nelson, owner of Skyuka Fine Art, is an internationally recognized and award-winning portrait artist. Most recently, Nelson won 5th place in the “Portrait Society of America’s 2013 International Competition” where thousands of entries from around the world were narrowed down to 20, and then 10. Nelson has also won first place in the “Member’s Only Competition-Commissioned Portraits,” a “Certificate of Excellence”, and an “Honorary Mention” from the Portrait Society of America; where he has also served on their faculty.

Tickets are on sale now or can be purchased the night of the Gallery Trot. There will be a second ticket drawn for a certificate of 50 percent off of a commissioned portrait as well. Contact Kim Nelson to buy your tickets via email info@skyukafineart.com,  or phone 828-817-3783.

Maps of all the locations on the Trot will be available in each of the Tryon area locations.

Other businesses participating in the Trot will be Terra on Trade, the Book Shelf, Ferullo Studio, Green River Gallery, 1906 Pine Crest Inn, Tryon Arts and Crafts, Tryon Painters and Sculptors, and Upstairs Artspace. For more information, contact info@skyukafineart.com.

– article submitted