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Upstairs Artspace will host three exhibits opening February 1 and running through March 13.

An opening reception is Saturday, February 1 with a “Walk & Talk” by the artists at 5:00 p.m., and refreshments at 6:00 p.m. The exhibits are “Worker Bees: Artists of The Upstairs”; “Drawing Marathon IV”; and “Patricia Cole-Ferullo: Experimental Work.” All the artists live in Polk County and Landrum.

“Worker Bees” pays tribute to members of the gallery’s current Board of Directors, plus members of its exhibits committee, who are professional artists, but also work hard to keep the gallery fully operational. These artists are Alexia Timberlake Boyd, Mark Holland, Linda Hudgins, Dale McEntire, Janet Orselli, Cathey Stoney, John Walters, Hague Williams and David Zacharias. Each artist will have several pieces in the show. There 

have always been artists on the Upstairs’ board, but this is the first exhibit to highlight them since the 1990s.

Abstract painter Pat Ferullo will present a solo show of recent work in which she pushes the envelope of “experimental.” A popular and highly regarded artist, Pat is also well known as an art teacher, conducting classes at Tryon Painters & Sculptors and in her home. She says of this latest exhibit, “The more I experiment, the more I reveal the major influence on my art of the Abstract Expressionists, especially Helen Frankenthaler and Cy Twombly.” 

“Drawing Marathon IV” is a combination of work sessions for participating artists and a regular Upstairs’ exhibit; the event is held biennially. The marathon itself is when the artists spend a weekend at the gallery — prior to the exhibit — drawing works of art, using mediums and surfaces of their choice. These works are then installed as an exhibit for public viewing. Many of the artists are well established in their careers, but they love getting back to the basics of drawing, which is the foundation of all art.

As organizer of the event, Linda Hudgins says, “Art doesn’t get any fresher than this.” She adds that this year, each artist will also exhibit a piece of art that represents what they normally create apart from drawing marathons.

For more information, contact the museum at 828-859-2828 or email FrontDesk@UpstairsArtspace.org.

 

Submitted by Steve Wong