Upstairs Artspace is privileged to present I Can’t Believe You Ate My Doughnut; Flora, Fauna & Figures; and King Snake Press Prints, 1998 – 2017, opening Saturday, Oct. 21 and running through Dec. 1, 2017. The Walk & Talk and opening reception will be Saturday, Oct. 28, with the artists’ Walk & Talk beginning at 5 p.m. followed by the opening reception at 6 p.m.

Doug McAbee’s body of work, entitled, “I Can’t Believe You Ate My Doughnut,” explores the gap between expectation and reality in everyday life. Color, beauty and humor come together in this collection of drawings and sculptures, and asks us to look for meaning in our daily narratives. 

David Benson is a distinguished alumnus of The University of Memphis. His objective is to start the story and then let the observer form the climax and closure. In “Flora, Fauna & Figures,” the experience is intimate and he says if the experience is spiritual, then the work can be classified as successful. 

Jim Creal, for the very first time, is exhibiting his works from his South Carolina Coastal Lithograph series as a group. The long stretch of South Carolina’s barrier islands and the encompassing habitats form an ecosystem of great beauty. He has explored sites up and down the coast documenting its atmosphere, vistas and details. The lithographs, which derive from particular site visits, are his attempt to capture the mood, spirit and rich diversity of the coastal habitats. These works span more than two decades in the making.

Ron Meyers, professor emeritus, University of Georgia, works with red earthenware to create functional pots made in a casual and spontaneous manner reflecting the juiciness of the material as well as the pleasure of the process. He describes his works as colored slip paintings that float on the surface in a gestural expressionistic style, which can be both provocative and confrontational. 

Boyd Saunders is a painter, sculptor, illustrator, printmaker, and distinguished professor emeritus of art, The University of South Carolina. His selection for “Flora, Fauna & Figures” consists of original prints (etchings, lithographs, serigraphs, etc.), some large, some small. These works employ a variety of stylistic approaches to explore the theme of the show.

Phil Garrett’s King Snake Press Prints grew out of his love for the monotype process, and has been dedicated to encouraging other artists to experiment with the Painterly Print. It is a special place where invited artists can immerse themselves in the monotype process without distraction or interruption. We will be exhibiting over 20 artists that have, at one time or another,  availed themselves of King Snake Press and the monotype process.

The Upstairs is a non-profit organization supported by public and private donations, sales of art, grants, and fund-raising events. The UA is supported in part by a grant from the Polk County Community Foundation.

Upstairs Artspace is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is located at 49 S. Trade St. in Tryon. Call 828-859-2828 or visit upstairsartspace.org for more information.

– submitted by Michele Deudne