WinterFest 2013

Saturday night in Asheville was quite the deal. The streets were full of happy folk sampling food, art, and local shopping while being treated to the work of our street performers.

These were my stops:

Haen Invitation

1. Haen Gallery opening, Wintertide 2013, a winter group show and introduction of Gretchen Howard's whimsical work. Howard currently resides in New Orleans and that great joie de vivre often associated with New Orleans shines through the work. Thank you Haen Gallery for bringing this work to Asheville.
2.  Chestnut Restaurant I've eaten here three times and all three times I've had the oh so delicious Calamari and Kale Salad. I actually think about this dish–it's that good. The staff is delightful and helpful, service prompt and, as I mentioned, the food is memorable.
3.  The Magnetic Theatre I've seen some pretty funny productions at the Magnetic Theatre, Sex and How to Have IT!, was no exception. This play spoofs our BIG, BLUE recycling program, usual porn pizza delivery/plumber/electrician references and local cheesy advertising. It was funny. No heavy lifting, just a break from all the political wrangling and inclement weather. Go, have yourself a few good belly laughs.

A Royal Affair, oh my this is a splendid movie. Billed as a great period piece (which it is), the film made me think of all the power grabs going on currently. With Adelson, the Koch brothers and Art Pope buying elections and installing their own political puppets it does give one pause. I urge you to see the film and then contemplate the political climate in our country. You will understand what I mean.

February 2012 Mary's Update

Twilight Serves Her Country

My painting, Twilight, has been chosen by U.S. Ambassador William Moser and Mrs. Moser to hang in our embassy in the Republic of Moldova. The painting will remain in service for two years.

I consider cultural exchange to be most valuable and I am honored to participate in the Art in Embassies Program.
Here’s a bit more information about the Art in Embassies program from their mission statement:
Established in 1963, the U.S. Department of State’s office of ART in Embassies (AIE) plays a vital role in our nation’s public diplomacy through a culturally expansive mission, creating temporary exhibitions and permanent collections, artist and cultural exchange programming, and publications.
AIE’s exhibitions allow foreign citizens, many of whom might never travel to the United States, to personally experience the depth and breadth of our artistic heritage and values, making what has been called a: ''footprint that can be left where people have no opportunity to see American art.''
Our Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, writes: “To create more friends and fewer enemies, we can’t just win wars. We must find common ground and common purpose with other peoples and nations so that together we can overcome hatred, violence, lawlessness, and despair.
Through its temporary exhibitions and permanent collections, ART in Embassies intrigues, educates and connects—playing an ambassadorial role as important as that served by traditional diplomacy. Connecting people to people through the visual arts advances freedom of expression and invites an exchange of ideas.
ART in Embassies reveals the rich history and cultural heritage of the United States and the experiences that we share with peoples of different countries, backgrounds and faiths. Every exhibition reminds us of the diversity of mankind and the values that bind us together.”

Cast Iron Cook-Off
The Cast Iron Cook-Off showcases West Virginia’s culinary talent and attractions, it is populated by West Virginia restaurant owners whose teams compete.

My team, Team Cimino, of Café Cimino in Sutton, West Virginia, won for “Best Use of West Virginia Value-Added Products”. As the purpose of this oh-so-fun event is best be described as West Virginia’s culinary trade-fair we are pretty darn proud of this award.

Plus, I’m excited to add “award winning chef to my resume”. For those of you who remember me when, “ Yes, I CAN cook.” Granted I came late to the party and, therefore, am making up for lost time. You can come by to check out my cast iron award any time.

Asheville Area Arts Council names Kitty Love Executive Director

Kitty is a big vision woman and she can get things done; I think this a great combination for AAAC. Expect to see amazing things from our rejuvenated Arts Council.

Kitty is the force behind the now two-day Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival (LAAFF) and she was instrumental in establishing the Artists Resource Center.

We are so very lucky to have Kitty Love working as an advocate for the arts in Western North Carolina. She is dedicated, thoughtful, approachable and full of community building energy. I predict a great future for our artists and our arts community.

You may reach Kitty at kitty@ashevillearts.com . She will welcome your input–just be ready to roll up your sleeves and pitch in.

Oh! Yes, I’ve been making art!

Don’t worry all this exciting and fun stuff has only fired me up. I have been very busy in the studio and am pleased with the outcome.

I’ll have 20+ pieces featured at New York Art Expo, the world’s largest fine art trade show now in its 33rd year.

My work is included in the “Wax Foundations: Encaustic Work in the Southeast” show at Meredith College in September of this year, and in the Sixth International Encaustic Conference show at A Gallery, Provincetown, ME this June.

Anytime you feel like checking up on me just give a call (828.712.3786) to come see the work and/or to see me in action making the work.

Class Schedule
For 2012, I’ll be teaching at Constance Williams Gallery in the River Arts District. Dates are: March 5-7 or June 18-20 or Sept 10-12. To receive information about my classes please contact Tina at the gallery.

This is a fast paced from zero to intermediate class. You will make a ton of work and have a whole bunch of fun. Meanwhile, you will have learned up to intermediate technique in encaustic painting. All this in three days! Come join the fun.



What the heck is a Pecha Kucha ?

Interview with Stephanie Walker of Walker Contemporary Boston MA

Walker Contemporary
450 Harrison St, Boston, MA

Stephanie thought she would change the world by working with youths at risk. Fresh from college, she had agreed to take a job in rural TN. Lucky for us art world types she realized the possible difficulties of dealing with large, hormonal eighteen year old boys.

This is one “can do” woman; when the local gallery guide set limitations on gallery listings, Walker came up with The Art Map Boston, a more complete and user friendly guide to Boston’s galleries.

While Walker’s first inspiration is working with at risk youth; she has always been intrigued by art, “I talked about art this and art that all the time.” Too timid to pursue an opening in a local gallery a friend of Walker’s quietly submitted her resume.

Much to her surprise Walker was invited to interview. While skeptical of her “no Rolodex, no pedigree” status, Walker’s sheer exuberance wowed the gallery owners and she landed the job.

This first gallery position proved to be fertile training ground and Walker moved on to work with Chase, a position she held for about ten years. Ironically, Chase has moved into the very building that houses Walker Contemporary.

For a short time, Walker ended up in Los Angeles where she decided to open her own business. “I got up every day and went into the 2nd bedroom of our house whose door bore the sign, ‘WC’.” She began to explore and discover the new work from artists previously unknown to her.

Walker is drawn to work that is expertly rendered, complex, repetitious and generally speaks to an environmental component. Frequently the work is bittersweet, ironic and process oriented. Moved by artists who push their materials, Walker best relates to artists who seek to bend their medium as far as possible.

“I admire an artist who will continue on even if the idea is not yet working out. The artist who will face nothing to create something.” When one of her artists is stuck and dissatisfied she encourages by suggesting they, “keep at it, even if the result is horrid, just have the guts to keep showing up.”

For community involvement and local outreach, Walker suggests ICA, The Institute of Contemporary Art, as making contemporary art accessible and intellectually challenging. I couldn’t agree more, The ICA is one of Boston’s jewels with its amazing view of Boston Harbor, cafe, and easy parking, it is a delightful destination.

When asked how she thought galleries were faring in Boston, Walker responded, “While there have been come closing most were not closed for economic reason, it’s a situation of the time has come. A few gallery owners were ready to retire and others were ready for a change of focus. This freed several Boston art dealers to push away their boundaries and try a fresh, new approach to their business partnerships and to present new artists.

Clay Scot Artworks
I’ll be showing this September at Clay Scot Artworks, the show will open on
September 3, 2010 in Birmingham AL. Please accept my invitation to stop by and see me and /or the show as I will be at the opening.

Some of you might not know that I actually have Alabama roots, my family lives near Birmingham and I attended the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing at Samford University. Ok, I actually graduated from the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing and I continue to faint at the sight of blood. Clearly, art is my calling.

A portion of my sales will benefit the very hard working organization, Triumph Services. I know first hand how valuable their work is and I want to support their good works. We would welcome your support as well.

In the mean time, give a shout to Darrell and get of preview of what I'll be showing in September.

Mary’s Teaching Schedule

July 17, 18 , 19 Asheville NC this class is full
Aug 2,3,4 Charleston SC, Redux Studios
Dec 9,10,11 Fairhope AL, Eastern Shore Art Center

Grace
My recent show in Atlanta at Kai Lin Art, GRACE, received a wonderful review:
Grace Review . It was a fantasticshow and I'm so honored to have shown with two other fine women, Anne Davnes-Elser and Sun Hong.

Lobbying in Raleigh, NC
While I’ve only been in Asheville for two years, I’ve certainly learned a whole bunch about creative economy. I am so happy to be in a state that understands the importance of its creative workers. You might be surprised, I was, to know that the creative industries in North Carolina contribute $41,000,000,000 to the state economy (yes, that’s billion with a B) and we are responsible for almost 300,000 jobs.

Now, let me clear here, $41 billion dollars to the NC economy, seems we are due a bailout similar to the one received by Ford and Goldman Sachs. Artists pay mortgages, employ many other workers and pay taxes on the income generated by art sales. We are mighty economic engines and hardworking small business folk.

Here's a link to a study done by the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources on creative economy. Now you know just how important art is to you and to your community.