225ºF Encaustic Encounters

225ºF Encaustic Encounters, Boone, NC
(all photos: Troy Tuttle)

I have been writing for months about the 225ºF Encaustic Encounters show at the Turchin Center for Visual Arts located on the Appalachian State University campus; well it opened on Friday, November 6, 2009. The attendance, approximately 1700, astounded all artists present.
This show is quite stunning in the Turchin’s cathedral-like space. If you have not had the opportunity to see a large encaustic installation I urge you to make a trip to Boone, NC. You will be greatly rewarded by a jaw dropping show. The show will close on Feb 6, 2010.



Interview with Anna Parker-Barnett of Gallery Minerva, Asheville, NC
I sat down with Anna Parker-Barnett to seek her thoughts on Asheville and its art scene. Here’s what she had to say:

Farmer: “Anna, having recently made the move myself, I’m curious about how you decided to settle in Asheville?”

Parker-Barnett: “Our family made a decision to move to Asheville because it has a year round population, physical beauty and great schools. I was traveling to Los Cabos, Mexico from Hickory and felt we needed to settle into one place as our children neared high school age.”

Farmer: What? Los Cabos?
Parker-Barnett: “Yes, I had a furniture, rug, lamp, gallery and design business, The Baja Design Center, that served the Canadian and American market in that area. The Art gallery became the Parker Collection which I sold in 2004.”

“When we made the move to Asheville I decided to focus solely on fine art. In Asheville I have found the warmth, acceptance and support to flourish.” Parker-Barnett goes on to say, “Ashevillians embrace newcomers and have great regard for their regional artists.”

Of her early influences, Parker-Barnett reflects, “My childhood is steeped in the memories of my mother’s design flair; she was young and experimental. Life was like being inside a Steve St. Claire painting; she was very daring with her design sense."


Our discussion touched on some of economic considerations in the local art world we specifically talked about the ECONOMIC IMPACT of the PROFESSIONAL CRAFT INDUSTRY in WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA study. This study has revealed our craft industry as a significant economic engine with an estimated $207,000,000 annual economic impact. “While the economic impact of fine art has not been specifically studied we can surmise that the fine art impact, with so many more outlets, easily surpasses this $207 million figure.” Parker-Barnett further asserts, “So far none of the Asheville galleries have closed during the recent economic downturn.”

When asked what she sees in our arts future, Parker-Barnett passionately reveals her desire to see a visual arts center in Asheville. “Asheville has a sophisticated population who will support a visual arts center downtown. Plus, we have a significant pool of artists right here in WNC. Our artists are highly innovative and creative. The artists strive to be accessible--take the River Arts District and the Downtown Art Walk as examples. A visual arts center would bring more of the artists to downtown, they would then draw more visitors to the Asheville area.”

“We could start by integrating a city guide of galleries that highlights the three main gallery districts, Historic Downtown Asheville, River Arts District and Biltmore Village.”

Farmer: “Is Asheville on the right track?”
Parker-Barnett: “Asheville is moving along with good direction. We offer great variety to art lovers.”

Farmer: “What are your thoughts on running a successful gallery?”
Parker-Barnett: “It is sheer magic when you witness someone’s connection with a painting turn into a need. This keeps me motivated.”

Farmer: “What qualities do you admire or look for in an artist?”
Parker-Barnett: “Confidence without ego, comfort with what they say, professionalism and flexibility--being open to suggestion.”

Farmer: “I’ve been wondering, why the name Minerva?’
Parker-Barnett: “I wanted the gallery to stand on its own, I didn’t want it to be all about me and Minerva is the goddess of wisdom and the arts.”


Free Planet Radio, Jan 30, 2010
"World Music Supergroup" in concert at the Arts Center. Saturday January 30th, at 8:00 pm. Tickets $10 and available by phone (828)649-1301 or online at http://www.madisoncountyarts.com/mcac/

Free Planet Radio, based in Asheville, NC is becoming one of the most exciting partnerships in world music today. Their world-jazz-classical fusion is a trans-cultural canvas that is at times deeply reflective and at other times rhythmically mind-bending.

This ensemble is composed of River Guerguerian, Armenian-Egyptian born in Canada, an award-winning multi-percussionist / composer whose lyrical percussion style earned him a long-standing tenure with Turkish flutist virtuoso Omar Faruk Tekbilek; Eliot Wadopian, a two-time Grammy-award winner, proficient on string and electric basses, a 17 year member of the Paul Winter Consort. He’s also worked with Hal Galper, Glen Velez, and Eugene Friesen; Chris Rosser, an accomplished pianist, composer / producer, renown for his outstanding performances on a variety of indigenous stringed instruments. He studied under the master Ali Akbar Khan.