To the Editor:
Saturday evening, May 3, my wife and I attended the opening of an art exhibit offered by two Tryon area fine artists at the Tryon Train Depot Gallery.
The display opened with a reception for public viewing by the artists who were on site to greet and talk about their work.
We were present at the reception for most of the three hour opening and we were amazed at how few of the area’s many artisan professionals showed up for the opening reception. There are so many professional working artists, art instructors, gallery operators and owners and curators of art who live and practice in Tryon and surrounding areas that would be expected to participate with their presence.
We also noted with amazement when we attended the reception at the Tryon Painters and Sculptors Gallery for the opening of Gary Page’s watercolor exhibit on Saturday, April 12 how few of the 130 members showed up for the opening reception.
There must be a reasonable explanation for this situation given that fine art has such a strong presence in the life of the Tryon community.
I expect one of the main reasons for such poor attendance is lack of communication and promotion and the lack of a committed person or persons who would promote and communicate such events.
The Tryon Daily Bulletin does a good job of publishing public announcements about upcoming art events, however not all are daily readers of the Bulletin and therefore could miss some announcements.
Perhaps it is an appropriate time for those in the art community who would want to preserve and expand the art asset of Tryon and the area to come together with a plan for promoting, advertising and funding to build on the art activities that are already in place.
The Gallery Trot being one example. One option to consider could be to hire a full time professional art curator with experience and success in promoting all aspects of the art business to work for and be funded by a group of the local galleries and partially by the Tryon Town government to promote Tryon’s art and art events.
Goals should be set and a plan made for future success and viability of art in the Tryon area.

– John Owenby, Campobello