Tryon Fine Arts Center’s Gallery I will host a display of Matchbook Cover Collage Art opening Saturday, Sept. 14 and running through Saturday, Sept. 28.

Columbus resident and Philluminist (matchbook collector) Lew Phillips produced these one of a kind pieces. Phillips has always been a collector, of everything from comic books through coins.

When his coin collection was stolen from his home years ago, he decided to collect matchbooks.

“I wanted to collect something that nobody in his right mind would want to steal,” he said.

When he began collecting, matchbooks were widely used for advertisement and readily available. They were usually given away or sold for a penny at most.

Phillips always tried to pick up two of a kind, to collect and to trade.

In time, his collection grew into the thousands and so did the “traders.”

However, he said he could never find anyone to trade with, so as a way to use up his traders, he began an additional hobby called Matchbook Cover Collage Art in which bits of matchbooks are organized thematically, glued to a surface, and then given several layers of protective finish.

Phillips makes them for his own enjoyment, and rarely has an exhibition of his work.

They have been on display at Tryon Estates and will be available for viewing during gallery hours at Tryon Fine Arts Center, with an opening reception during the Sept. 14 Gallery Trot.

Visitors to the show will want to allow plenty of time to examine each piece.

Gallery I hours are Tuesday- Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

The opening reception during the Tryon Gallery Trot will be from 5-8 p.m. on Sept. 14. For more information, call 828-859-8322. There is no charge for admission.

– article submitted by Marianne Carruth