Tryon Arts & Crafts School will hold a public gallery reception Friday evening, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The event celebrates renowned Asheville, Atlanta, and Tryon artists, and marks the completion of TACS’ recent remodeling of its public spaces.

 

Stepping inside the main entrance of Tryon Arts & Crafts School on Friday night, guests will be delighted to see the new, open atmosphere of the galleries, shop, and Heritage Collection. Just beyond the foyer, attendees will see the display of soft sculpture fiber art by Artist of the Month Irene Heckel-Volpe. In the main gallery, the “Surfaces” exhibit draws on artists of many disciplines who in their unique ways explore the surface treatment of their work.

 

Akira Satake includes his ceramic sculptures that resemble the curves and textures likened to eroded rock or petrified wood. Satake holds the National Award for Excellence in Contemporary Clay, awarded by the Philadelphia Museum, and has works in the collections of the Mint Museum and Phillips Collection.

 

Rick Berman contributes his raku pottery, which harmonizes traditional pottery forms with coarse, gritty surfaces that resemble fossils and geological formations. Berman was previously the Bob Owens Endowed Chair of Art, North Georgia College & State University, and recently participated in the “Ron Meyers Students” exhibition, NCECA Conference, Portland, Oregon. His work is registered in collections such as High Museum, Penland School of Crafts, University of Georgia, and Greenville Museum.

 

Kenn Kotara’s abstract 2- and 3-dimensional artworks use oxidized copper, paper, and mylar, drawing inspiration from marshlands, lush vegetation, and other natural environments. His experiments in bas-relief braille are an unforgettable marriage of language and visual art. Kotara is Assistant Professor at Mars Hill University. His work is included in collections such as Asheville Art Museum, City of Asheville, Masur Museum of Art, and the United States Embassy in Jamaica.

 

Barbara Jones exhibits her densely layered, vibrant fiber art. Each of her multidisciplinary works is an organic network of complex threading, fusing, cutting, heating, and painting. Jones is a member of the prestigious Southern Highland Craft Guild. Her recent exhibits have been at TaDa Gallery, Tryon Arts & Crafts School, and Haywood County Arts Council.

 

Frances Domingués exhibits her vintage reclaimed metal works. In her practice, Domingués uses industrial metal shelving, commonly used in the 1930’s, and acid treats them to reveal unexpected outcomes – sometimes orange iron oxide, and other times surprisingly vibrant reds or greens. Domingués is the owner of FD Found Studio and Design in Asheville, previously of Wedge Studios.

 

Tryon’s own Joe Cooper offers a glimpse into his signature aesthetic, hand welded copper sculpture with bronze alloy. The result is a unique surface with texture and patina. Cooper is an artist with Heirloom Companies, a custom art fabricator for homes and businesses, known for combining old-world craftsmanship with new-age technology. Cooper will teach his technique in TACS’ new Shane Urquhart Metals and Glass Studio this fall, and for seasons to come.

 

The “Surfaces” exhibition also includes a marvelous array of entries submitted in response to a public Call to Artists on the theme of “surface treatment”. Just a few examples out of approximately 40 talented participants are Jimmi Buell, Deede Cohen, Jim Cullen, Doug Dacey, Gerry Drew, Bernard Edwards, Madison Geer, Gary Huntoon, Judy Lindsey, Dale McEntire, Patti Miles-Cooner, Kristen Mode, Vickie Napoli, and Patty Wright.

 

The Friday night reception also features August Artist of the Month, Irene Heckel-Volpe. Heckel-Volpe has created soft sculpture fiber art since 1986. Starting with collectible mohair teddy bears, she has been designing and creating soft sculpture fiber art for over 30 years. Irene has taught at Tryon Arts and Crafts School since 2018.

 

Guests at the reception will see for the first time the completion of TACS’ recent remodeling effort. The school’s Heritage Collection has been relocated to the new research and historical nook, with new track lighting installed to ensure that our region’s rich creative inheritance is aglow and elevated in its own special location. The nearby library, computer console, printer-copier machine, and desks are intended to allow guests to sit, read, research, and generally spend time with Tryon’s craft heritage.

 

The remodeling also opens up the front of the gallery and gift shop, allowing natural light into the front of the building, spreading out the exhibition spaces, and creating an airier art viewing experience for visitors.

 

For more information, call (828) 859.8323 or visit our www.TryonArtsandCrafts.org.

 

Submitted by Will Barclift