Last fall, Audrey Helm Walter of Cheryl Smith Associates in Hendersonville asked me to be the lead artist for the June meeting of ASID, I agreed and went about my usual business of making art. Then, mid-May, the call came-- it was time for the event!
“Oh no”, I thought, “What will I do?” I’m pretty sure Audrey felt some apprehension as well. I know she was uneasy by my "do not worry we will make this happen attitude", you know, “these are creative people–they will get it”.
The evening was truly fun, I enjoyed the creative energy brought in by each and every participant, Audrey deserves special thanks for her great organizational abilities, our friends at Living Design for the fantastic space, and ASID members for their great enthusiasm.
And to punctuate my point, here’s an email from a happy participant:
Thanks for doing it. I had a terrible day at work that day and the last thing I wanted to do was be around people & "try to paint". But I am so glad I went. I hadn't painted since college and it was such a refreshing outlet for my frustrations that day. Thank you so much for giving us all a reason to be creative. And thanks to Audrey for getting us all together and all the hard work you put into making it happen. It paid off!
Plus, we were noted in the local newsletter:
Divine Living: A Great Experience
Artist Mary Farmer & Designers Painted It Up in Showroom
A "Sips and Strokes" event, hosted by the beautiful furniture showroom, Divine Living, in the Biltmore Square Mall, was the scene recently of a group of interior designers experimenting with brush and palette. Under the supervision of the highly accomplished artist, Mary Farmer, designers discovered another side of themselves in the field of art beyond specifying art for clients' interiors.
While playfully slapping paint on their canvases, a few designers announced that producing extraordinary art, compared to Ms. Farmer's exquisite canvases on hand, was a little more of a challenge than they previously imagined. A new level of appreciation of the talent and skills it takes to produce fine art was the outcome.
This ASID June 25th event, arranged by the new ASID Northwest Design Community co-chairs--- Audrey Helms Walter, Allied ASID, and Talli Allen-Roberts, ASID, included a tour of Divine Living's inspiring line of furniture and accessories. A visit to Divine Living's extensive fabric samples department was well worth the trip, all by itself.
Phyllis Roberts, their gracious host at Divine Living, stated that she welcomed all interior designers and decorators use of the fabric samples department and the furniture showroom to assist their respective clients. Ms. Roberts may be reached at:
Divine Living
Phyllis Roberts
828.670.7737
EMAIL: divineliving@charter.net
Information submitted by:
Audrey Helms Walter, Allied ASID
PH: 828.697.2012
Email: audrey@cherylsmithassociates.com
Summer Guest House
June 26 - August 1, 2009
Summer Guest House is an eclectic gathering of artists mixing it up at a summer happening. Marcia Wood Gallery artists have invited regional artists as their guests to exhibit work in this delightful visual conflation.
Guest Artists are Betsy Cain, Lisa Clague, Lorie Corbus, Mary Farmer, Julio Garcia, Scott Griffin, Rocky Horton, Lance Ledbetter, Mia Merlin, Mary O'Horo, Shana Robbins, Rocio Rodriguez, Ben Steele, Summer Wheat and Cosmo Whyte.
Host Artists are Frances Barth, Amber Boardman, Philip Carpenter, Monica Cook, Mary Engel, Jason Fulford, Marcus Kenney, Alan Loehle, Joanne Mattera, Chris Scarborough and Pamela Sunstrum.
It was such an honor to have been hosted by Joanne Mattera; many thanks, dear friend.
The June 26 opening was held in conjunction with the Castleberry Hill Artstroll, what a nice evening for Atlantans to get out and enjoy art. It was a lot of fun and I caught up with so many of my Atlanta friends. My warmest and special thanks to everyone who came out.
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Birmngham, Alabama Art Visit
The whole FaceBook connection thing finally has paid off! I met Karen Jacobs, artist and good soul on FB and we made a date to meet at the Birmingham Museum of Art. I have to report that I haven’t set foot in the Bham museum in many, many moons.
If you, like me, have not visited in while, it’s time to make a stop at the Birmingham Museum of Art—it has changed! The collection is pretty substantial with an interesting mix, admission is free, and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly. I had a most interesting conversation with one of the docents while waiting for Karen (turns out she was already there and we were waiting at different entrances). Oh well, I digress…..
The Museum offers 6 collection support groups:
The Friends of American Art, The Asian Art Society, The Photography Guild, The Sankofa Society: Friends of African-American and African Art,The Collectors Circle for Contemporary Art, and The European Art Society. These groups foster growth and development for the museum and for collectors. Special events are scheduled through out the year for each support group, I urge you to check this out. What a great way to connect to your community and to learn more about art and its place in our society.
Birmingham Museum of Art is also looking into expanding; they are bursting at the seams and are in dire need of more space. There is talk of taking over Boutwell Auditorium and restoring its original façade. This would be a great addition to Birmingham’s cultural scene. Personally, I’m of the opinion that Birmingham has great potential in post recession days ahead. Tuck this little plum away.
Here’s a nice gallery outing:
Clay Scot Artworks, Loretta Goodwin Gallery, Matt Jones Gallery, Bare Hands Gallery, Maralyn Wilson, Naked Art, Littlehouse and Monty Stabler.
Birmingham galleries host a myriad of artists, styles, and inventory. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the diversity.
I was unable to visit Bare Hands and Clay Scott as they were both closed on Tues. I did receive a phone call from Phillip Powell of Clay Scot offering to open the gallery for me, I’m so sorry I missed it. Hey Phillip, I’m sorry about those nose prints on your windows.
