Events & Exhibits: 2008 Exhibits

From the Pen to Pencil 
Charcoal portraits by students of UNC Asheville's Correctional Education program in four western North Carolina Correctional Institutions. The works were made in art instructor Monika Teal's "Art of Portraiture" class.  
Opening Reception was Tuesday November 18 at 2pm. 

The World of the Medieval Scribe 
In our modern electronic world the future of the written book is uncertain, but UNC Asheville students have been working on a collaborative project in the Classics and Philosophy departments to preserve the information contained in the laboriously handwritten texts of the Middle Ages. This exhibit showcases their work and documents the opportunities this unique research has opened for their academic future in the Humanities. The students studied paleography with Lora Holland in the Classics department and critical text editing on the Henry of Ghent project with Gordon Wilson in philosophy as part of a collaborative project in undergraduate research.

Homage to Life by Cecilia and Abigail Frederic
An exhibition of mixed media paintings by Cecilia Frederic, in collaboration with her daughter, Abigail, was on display October 2 - November 1 in the Blowers Gallery. It is a series of art works as the result of the connective participatory experiences between the artist and her daughter Abigail, who was born with a genetic condition called Trisomy 18. This condition causes multiple physical and mental disabilities, including non-verbalization. At birth Abigail's prognosis was a life expectancy of 24 to 48 hours, at the time of the exhibit she was 21 years old. The Jubilation Series is based on Abigail's drawings, and her personal paintings are also included.

Earthly Impressions by Catherine Murphy
An exhibit of 20 copper sculptures that was on display September 3 - 30, 2008. Murphy, a former construction welder, creates copper garden sculptures as well as fine art wall hangings and vessels. She was won several art show awards, including first and second place at the Philadelphia Flower Show. This self-taught metal smith has owned and operated Haw Creek Forge for more than 18 years. Using very simple tools, she crafts pieces with tremendous depth, texture and detail. Each undulation and mark in the copper is the result of intensive hand hammering. More information and pictures of her work can be found here.

2008 Staff & Faculty Art Showcase
Photography, painting, needlepoint, basket making, pottery, woodworking and more by talented members of the staff and faculty of UNC Asheville.  Participating are: Cheryl Alderman, Judith Bohan, Ann Cadle, Robin Daugherty, Tony Delaurents, Elaine Fox, Alan Hantz, David Hopes, Jill Lenox, Alex Levenson, Charles McKnight, Tracie Pouliot, Norm Richards, Jacquelyn Schechter, Jo Steininger, Leigh Svenson and Barbara Terry. The works were on display August 12-29.

Folk Art by Leroy Baxter
An exhibition of mixed media collage by Leroy Baxter was on display from July 1- August 1. Baxter combines cut-out shapes, glitter, foil, and paint to create a unique style of art. He works with everyday objects such as cardboard and plywood. A native Ashevillian and true folk artist, he works as a handyman by day and paints in the evenings.

Reflections of the Soul: Endangered Species' Portraits by Shannon Rupert
Drifting Off to Dream by Gwendolyn Saltz
A joint exhibition of recent paintings by UNC Asheville graduates Shannon Rupert and Gwendolyn Saltz was on display June 2 through 27 in the Blowers Gallery.  An opening reception took place in the lobby on Sunday, June 8, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Rupert's section features seven oil paintings of up-close portraits of endangered animals. Saltz' portion comprises five acrylic paintings which layer images to reflect dreams and nightmares.

The Modern World in Ancient Stories by Julia Smith
An exhibition of intaglio and letterpress pieces by UNC Asheville B.A. candidate Julia Smith was on view April 30 through May 30 in the Blowers Gallery.  An opening reception took place Wednesday, April 30, from 5-7 pm in the lobby. The prints focus on the Irish fairy tale "Guleesh," the Japanese fairy tale "The Straw Cape," and the Greek myth "Apollo and Daphne."

Boxes and Paintings by Joyce Blunk
An exhibition of intricate assemblage and mixed media pieces by local artist Joyce Blunk is on view April 1 through 25 in the Blowers Gallery. Her work features painting and drawing, most often as part of images displayed in a hand-built box. Her pieces explore the idea and symbology of collections. More information and pictures of her work can be found here.

Salsa Snack! by Cade Carlson
An exhibition of mixed media and spray paint by UNC Asheville senior Cade Carlson was on view March 10 through 31 in Ramsey Library's third floor gallery.  An opening reception was held Thursday, March 13, from 6-8 pm in the lobby. Carlson, who has no formal artist training, has been experimenting with spray paint for three years. He began using hand-cut stencils of his friends' faces, eventually shifting focus to producing vibrant gradients of color.

Recycling by the Western North Carolina Fiber Arts Alliance
An exhibit of fiber arts by members of the Western North Carolina Fiber Arts Alliance was on view March 1 through 31 in the Blowers Gallery.  A reception was held in the gallery Tuesday, March 4, from 3:30-5:30 pm. 20 members made pieces interpreting the theme of recycling, including quilts, 3-D fiber items, wearables, knitting, and beading. The Fiber Arts Alliance is an affiliate of the Asheville Quilt Guild, and more information about them can be found here.

Sharing the Chores: Works on Paper by Jonathan Green
An exhibition of hand-drawn lithographs and a hand-pulled serigraph by the renowned artist Jonathan Green was on display from January 14 through February 28 in the Blowers Gallery.  The images portray the importance of shared work, rituals and tradition in the Gullah communities of the South Carolina low country.  A reception was held Tuesday, February 5, from 6-8pm in the lobby with special guest speaker Harry Harrison, Director of the YMI Cultural Center. More information about the artist and pictures of his work can be found here.