The Next Tryon Gallery Trot in Tryon, NC, Takes Place on May 11, 2013

Join Downtown Tryon, NC, on May 11, 2013, from 5-8pm for the second monthly Tryon Gallery Trot of 2013. Galleries and business will open their doors on the second Saturday of every month through October for extended hours welcoming “Trotters” with a variety of items to peruse and purchase. Find the perfect gift for Mom while in one of the many galleries and businesses in the downtown area.

Some highlights will be:

Live music:  The Polk County High School Band will be playing in the center of town; paid for with funds from Polk County Community Foundation.

Sculpture 2013: a juried sculpture show at Tryon Fine Arts Center featuring work of sculptors throughout the Southeast. Pieces will be on display in Gallery I and the lobby as well as outdoors in the newly remodeled campus.

New View Realty: at 285 North Trade Street in Tryon will have a sampling of home brewed beers made especially for the Gallery Trots. Sip and enjoy new art work from Jim Shackelford and Linda Hudgins.

Bill the Blacksmith will be offering hands-on experience at the Saluda Forge on Ola Mae Drive above Trade Street. Bill says, “I always try to offer the opportunity to have someone experience the joy of striking hot metal for themselves.” Besides the demonstrations at the forge, the Gallery next door will have work of local artists and refreshments.

Vines and Stuff Gift Shop in Shops of Tryon on Trade Street will feature work from Little Mountain Pottery and hand-turned wood bowls by Jim Mellberg. Also enjoy samplings of gourmet treats while browsing for those last minute Mother’s Day gifts.

The Depot Room at Millard & Company at the railroad crossing in the center of town is displaying 20 years of poster design in honor of the 20th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Barbeque Festival just in time for the Gallery Trot on May 11th. The festival is one of our nationally known local traditions so whet your appetite by stopping by to view these posters.

Thompson Art and Garden Gallery on Palmer Street will present “The Art of Outdoor Living”. The Thompsons represent 38 local artists in the Gallery and carry Kingsley-Bate Outdoor Furniture, Pawley’s Island Hammocks and more.

Work by Richard Christian Nelson

Skyuka Fine Art on Trade Street will have a drawing to win a Charcoal Portrait by Richard Christian Nelson. Nelson, owner of Skyuka Fine Art, is an internationally recognized and award-winning portrait artist. Most recently, Nelson won 5th place in the “Portrait Society of America’s 2013 International Competition” where thousands of entries from around the world were narrowed down to 20, and then 10. Nelson has also won 1st place in the “Member’s Only Competition-Commissioned Portraits”, a “Certificate of Excellence”, and an “Honorary Mention” from the Portrait Society of America; where he has also served on their faculty. Tickets are on sale now or can be purchased the night of the Gallery Trot. There will be a second ticket drawn for a certificate of 50% off of a commissioned portrait as well. Contact Kim Nelson to buy your tickets via e-mail at (info@skyukafineart.com) or phone 828/817-3783.

Maps of all the locations on the Trot will be available in each of the Tryon area locations.

Other businesses participating in the Trot will be Terra on Trade, the Book Shelf, Ferullo Studio, Green River Gallery, 1906 Pine Crest Inn, Tryon Arts and Crafts, Tryon Painters and Sculptors, and Upstairs Artspace.

For more information e-mail to (info@skyukafineart.com).

Turchin Center for the Visual Arts in Boone, NC, Hosts 10th Anniversary Party – May 3, 2013

It has been 10 years since the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts in Boone, NC, opened the doors to the six gallery space contemporary art museum bridging the gap between the campus of Appalachian State University and downtown Boone, NC. To celebrate, the Turchin Center will host a “birthday party” for the center on Friday, May 3, 2013, as a part of Downtown Boone’s First Friday Art Crawl.  The event is free and open to the public from 7-9pm and will pay a special tribute to patrons Robert and Lillian Turchin.

During the event will be live music performances by Todd Wright and Andy Page. Appalachian State University Theatre & Dance professor, Sherone Price and the African Dance Ensemble will also perform during the event.

Limited edition prints by artist Tim Turner will be on sale and all proceeds go to the Turchin Center. Only 50 have been printed in honor of the 10th anniversary. The cost of the print is $225 and framing options are available. For more information on this print, visit (http://tcva.org/news/2013/04/1026).

The current exhibitions that will be on display during this event are “International Focus Series I-V: V. Polish Artists Group Exhibition”, “10th Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition”, “Negotiation of the Secret Society Cloth: An Exploration of Ukara”, “Victor Ekpuk: Drawing Memories” and “BFA Senior Studio Exhibition Spring 2013″.  For more information about these exhibitions, visit (http://tcva.org/exhibitions).

Over the last 10 years, the Turchin Center has featured over 205 exhibitions to date. This includes a combination of local, regional, national and international exhibitions. Over 65% of the exhibitions that have been featured at the center have been by local or regional artists.

The Turchin Center’s Permanent Collection houses over 1,600 works of art with the largest amount of works by a single artist being by Andy Warhol. The center is also home to the largest collection of Inuit art in the United States thanks to a continuing donation by Dr. H.G. Jones.

Since opening in May of 2003, annual visitation to the Turchin Center has increased by 42%. An average of 1,000 visitors attend the center’s Exhibition Celebrations during First Friday Art Crawls throughout the year. These celebrations feature live music, a cash bar and a chance to view the artwork the day the exhibition opens.

The Outreach Program at the Turchin Center spans throughout many platforms around the campus and community. The vast community outreach programs the center is involved with include the Hospitality House, Mountain Cares Assisted Living Facility and area public schools. In addition, the Turchin Center hosts workshops for kids, older teens and adults year-round. Programs for Appalachian students have also grown over the last few years, expanding to student-only events hosted by the Turchin Center as well as free Tai Chi lessons and Open Studio time every Tuesday.

The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts presents exhibition, education and collection programs that support Appalachian State University’s role as a key regional educational, cultural and economic resource.

The Turchin Center is located at 423 West King St., in Boone. Hours are 10am-6pm, Tues.-Thurs. and Saturday, and noon-8pm, Friday. The Center is closed Sunday and Monday, and observes all university holidays. There is no admission charge, although donations are gratefully accepted.

For additional details about the Turchin Center, becoming a donor, the upcoming exhibitions, to be added to the mailing list or to schedule a tour, please call 828/262-3017 or visit (www.tcva.org).

Announcing the 2013 Camden Kitchen Tour and the Pottery Show & Sale at the Douglas Reed House in Camden, SC – Apr. 25 – 27, 2013

It’s time to make plans for the 2013 Camden Kitchen Tour and Pottery Show & Sale. Presented by the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County, this biennial event is always a favorite for those who attend. The Kitchen Tour takes place on Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 10am to 5pm. Bring a group and tour some fabulous kitchens in gorgeous homes in and around Camden, South Carolina’s oldest inland city. View several homes, have lunch at one of the many fabulous dining establishments in Camden or at one of our stops – Old McCaskill’s Farm – then continue your tour. This year, the Camden Kitchen Tour is co-chaired by Beth Ford and Amy Sheheen. It is sponsored by TD Bank, Roy’s Wood Products and “Columbia Home & Garden” magazine. The program printing is being provided by Midlands Printing Company.

McCaskill’s Farm kitchen (IMG_0107), Brock home kitchen

The Camden Kitchen Tour is a fundraiser event for the FAC. Proceeds will benefit event programming at the Center. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 day of. The event will go on, rain or shine. The tour program, which serves as the ticket for the day, will be available at the Douglas-Reed House on the FAC campus beginning at 10am on Apr. 27. There will also be time to browse beautiful functional art and home accents available for purchase at the Pottery Show & Sale at the Douglas-Reed House both before and after the tour.

“There is such a variety of sights and styles of kitchens this year,” says Beth Ford, co-chair of this year’s event. “The Kitchen Tour is always an exciting opportunity to check out some amazing kitchens in several lovely Camden homes, and this year we’ve added a couple of extra kitchens…one commercial kitchen at McCaskill’s where you can actually pick up a box lunch, some fresh eggs or other items they have on hand, as well as a fabulous outdoor kitchen at the Brock home, and Grace Episcopal Church’s remodeled one,” she concluded.

This year, enjoy nine kitchens in seven fantastic locations on the tour. The tour starts at the historic Douglas-Reed House (c. 1812) on the campus of the Fine Arts Center where you will pick up your program, then continue through historic Camden and beyond.
Scheduled locations for this year are:

Barbara and Dick Davis—120 Dicey Ford

Anne Hutchins—1914 Carriage House Lane

Old McCaskill’s Farm/Kathy & Lee McCaskill home kitchen—377 Cantey Lane, Rembert

Grace Episcopal Church—1315 Lyttleton Street

Laurie and Bill Funderburk – 1804 Broad Street

Tory and Tom Brock – 644 Charlotte Thompson Road (indoor and outdoor kitchens)

Dr. Patricia Noland—520 Cooks Court

The Pottery Show & Sale will take place Thursday, Apr. 25 through Saturday, Apr. 27 at the Douglas-Reed House on the FAC campus. Shopping hours are Thursday & Friday, 10:30am to 6pm and Saturday, 10am to 5pm.  The Show will feature works from eight artists ranging from decorative pieces to functional kitchen wares. This year’s featured artists are Ed Bryan-Deerwood Clay, Tim Graham, Debra Gregory, Marquerite Palmer, Anne Schultz, Kyle Smith, Susan Tondeau-Dwyer and Marti Wallace.

The Fine Arts Center is located at 810 Lyttleton Street in Camden, SC. Advance tickets may be purchased online at (www.fineartscenter.org) or by calling 803/425-7676 ext. 300.

The Fine Arts Center is funded in part by the Frederick S. Upton Foundation and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding provided by the City of Camden, Kershaw County, and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina along with donations from businesses and individuals.

First Tryon Gallery Trot of 2013 Takes Place Apr. 13, 2013, in Tryon, NC

Art galleries and businesses in downtown Tryon, NC, will open their doors from 5-8pm on every second Saturday beginning Apr. 13, 2013, for another season Gallery Trots. Expect a wide variety of art by some of our areas top artists, as well as unique merchandise, live music, hors d’oeuvres and liquid refreshment in a festive and fun atmosphere as visitors “trot” with friends up, down, and all around the town.  Live music, provided by a generous grant from the Polk County Community Foundation, will be located in the center of town across from the clock tower shortly after the Trot begins at each of the eight second Saturday events scheduled through Oct. 12, 2013.

April is Steeplechase Month in Tryon, so get ready for special attention to Equestrian art at these Galleries above Trade Street:
A collection of framed Blockhouse Steeplechase posters belonging to the Tryon Riding and Hunt Club will be the exhibit featured at The Depot for the first Tryon Gallery Trot of the 2013 season.  The 67th running of this prestigious race is just a week later, so come and begin to celebrate this Tryon tradition by visiting us during the trot!

In honor of Tryon’s own 67th Block House Steeplechase Race, Skyuka Fine Art in collaboration with Tryon Riding and Hunt Club, is proud to present the “Blockhouse Equestrian Art Exhibit”. This group show opens during TRHC’s kickoff community gathering one week before the race at the Gallery I at Tryon Fine Arts Center during the Trot. Numerous equestrian artists outstanding in their specialized field from around the state and nationwide have been invited to participate in this unprecedented show. Many collectors will also be sharing their prized equestrian art of their own for this special exhibit.

Some additional highlights of the Trot on Trade Street:
Vines & Stuff, located in the Shops of Tryon will be featuring work by Elaine and Claude Graves of Little Mountain Pottery.  This will be an all-new collection of redware and stoneware.  Also in the Shops of Tryon will be an assortment of beautiful and wearable art from the artisans of Tryon Arts and Crafts School.

Join New View Realty, 285 N Trade Street, to sample the first in a series of home brewed beers made especially for the Gallery TROT.  Sip and enjoy the works of Jim Shackelford and Linda Hudgins.

Skyuka Fine Art proudly presents “Paintings from Afar”. We all love to travel, and this show will take you to places both familiar to you, and places you could only dream of! This will be a group showing including the works of; Richard Christian Nelson, Michael McNamara, Bonnie Bardos, Jim Carson, William and Anne Jameson, Gary Cooley, Richard Oversmith, Linda Cheek, Dawn Whitelaw and Bill Lovett. The opening reception will be during the Tryon Gallery Trot from 5-8pm. 133 N. Trade Street.

The Book Shelf offers wine, cheese, local art, and features books by local writers.

The Upstairs Artspace presents three exhibits showcasing some of the region’s finest contemporary art, through Apr. 20. In “Here. After.”, Asheville, NC, artists Moni Hill, Alicia Armstrong, and Spencer Herr explore art’s role in the wake of tragedy. In “Southern Comfort,” photographer Ben Nixon documents the Southern landscape. In “Older than Dirt,” potters Jim Cullen, Jim Cornell, Gary Huntoon, David Zacharias, Doug Dacey, John Turner, and Claude Graves update an age-old medium. The gallery is located at 49 S. Trade St., Tryon.

Terra on Trade to host a children’s art tent painting horse shoes!

Tryon, the friendliest town in the South, is a thriving artisan community with a strong equestrian tradition and a nationally known tourism. More than fifteen businesses and organizations participate in the Trots, and many other shops open their doors for a full downtown Tryon experience.

Find Tryon Gallery Trot on Facebook or e-mail to (info@skyukafineart.com) for more info.

See Lancaster in Lancaster, SC, is Calling for Participation in the 2013 Ag+Art Tour of Lancaster County – Deadline Apr. 12, 2013

Avant Garde Center for the Arts, Clemson Extension, Lancaster County Agribusiness Center, Lancaster County Council of the Arts, The Olde English District Tourism Commission, and See Lancaster invite you to participate in the 2013 Ag+Art Tour of Lancaster County. We have designed the event to be a weekend-long, self-guided tour that will link the agricultural and cultural aspects of Lancaster County, while adding a public art component for visual artists, musicians, and performance artists.

We invite you to participate in this summer’s tour and encourage you to open your studios and galleries, or allow us to station you at one of the sites along the tour to demonstrate your talents and sell your creations. We hope to enhance our visitor’s experience and promote to a wider audience, as well as providing our artists an opportunity to profit from the tour and gain wider exposure.

Participating artists will need to bring tables, chairs, tents for the tour and also indicate if you would prefer to be located at an indoors site. There is no fee for participation, but we will need to have a confirmation by Apr. 12, 2013, as an orientation dinner meeting is planned for April 16. Also, in order to include you in our brochures/listings/press releases/etc., an early confirmation will be necessary.

For further info call Cherry Doster, See Lancaster at 803/289-1492, e-mail to (cdoster@lancastercitysc.com) or visit (www.agandarttour.com).

701 Center for Contemporary Art Announces Participating Artists for Columbia Open Studios, March 23-24, 2013

The nonprofit artist-in-residence center & international art gallery, 701 Center for Contemporary Art, in Columbia, SC, has announced the 58 artists participating in Columbia Open Studios, March 23-24, 2013.

This free, self-guided, weekend-long tour of artists’ studios will span across Richland and Lexington Counties. The participating artists’ studios will be open to the public while art lovers travel to visit them, learn about the creative process and buy art. Successful Open Studios events are held across the country, from Greenville, SC, to San Francisco, CA.

701 Center for Contemporary Art began hosting Columbia Open Studios as an annual, signature event in 2011, when participating artists’ studios saw more than 4,000 visits. The 2012 event saw more than a 150 percent increase, with more than 10,000 visits to visual artists’ working studios throughout the Midlands.

701 CCA Columbia Open Studios 2013 Participating Artists include: Christy Aitken, Hannah Aitken, Angel Allen, Jeff Amberg, Nancy K. Butterworth, Heidi Darr-Hope, Mike Donkle, Jeff Donovan, Clark Ellefson, Betty Evans, Nora Floyd/Ruth Bayard, Diane Gilbert, Mary Gilkerson, Bonnie Goldberg, Katrina Hampton, Lyssa Harvey, Mary Ann Haven, Ruby Haydock DeLoach, Robert W. Hickman, Howard Hunt, Judy Bolton Jarrett, Russell Jeffcoat, Michele Kingery, Amanda Ladymon, Alicia Leeke, Whitney LeJeune, Sharon Collings Licata, Letitia “Tish” Lowe, Chappy Manning, Barbie Mathis, Michel McNinch, Regina Moody, Julia Moore, K. Page Morris, Jane Muller, One Eared Cow Glass, Patrick M. Parise, Gretchen Evans Parker, Rachel Parker, Carol Pittman, Shannon Purvis, Carolyn Ramsay, Mary Robinson, Grace Rockafellow, Walton Selig, J. Spencer Shull, Blue Sky, Kevin Smith, Marian Soule, Laura Spong, Curran Stone, Christian Thee, Martha Thomas, Nini Ward, Carey Weathers, Ron Weathers, Beth West, Ellen Emerson Yaghjian.

Details and full online guide will be available at (http://www.columbiaopenstudios.org).

701 CCA Columbia Open Studios Preview Party will take place on Thursday, March 21, 2013, 7-9pm, at 701 Whaley Street in Columbia. Admission is $5 members and $10 non-members. Guests will enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, a slideshow preview, and the opportunity to meet the artists, courtesy of Schmoyer and Company, official sponsors of the Preview Party.

Columbia Open Studios Artist Exhibition at 701 Whaley in “the hallway:communityart” Gallery, March 17-24, 2013
As an added bonus to this year’s event, from March 17-24, there will be an exhibition of participating 701 CCA Columbia Open Studios artists in the first-floor community art gallery at 701 Whaley, “thehallway:communityart” – admission is free and Open Studios maps & program guides will be available to the public. The artist exhibition is sponsored by BlueCross Blueshield of South Carolina and the South Carolina Veterinary Specialists.

The City of Columbia, SC, has become a major partner in Columbia Open Studios, facilitating the distribution of close to 50,000 full-color program guides throughout the state and in the March 20 issue of the Free Times. Artist exhibition sponsors are BlueCross Blueshield of South Carolina and the South Carolina Veterinary Specialists. Richland County continues to sponsor the event, and Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough is the official Poster Sponsor for 2013.  Thanks to sponsors Sue Doran and Drew Brashaer, as well as to this year’s $701 level sponsors, The Shop Tart; Rosso Trattoria and Loft 201 at 701 Whaley; HoFP; and Resource Associates, all of whom will enjoy a private, multi-course dinner in the gallery later this year.

About 701 CCA Columbia Open Studios, March 23-24, 2013:
Saturday, March 23: 10am until 6pm
Sunday, March 24: noon until 6pm

This free, self-led driving tour of 58 artists’ studios throughout Richland and Lexington Counties showcases the Midlands’ talented visual art community. Artists will open their studios and be on hand to share their personal stories, backgrounds and share their tools and techniques. Artists’ work will be available for purchase at zero markup.

701 Center for Contemporary Art (701 CCA) is a nonprofit visual art center that promotes understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of contemporary art, the creative process and the role of art and artists in the community via its gallery & artist-in-residence program at historic 701 Whaley in Columbia, SC. 701 CCA also encourages interaction between visual arts and other art forms. For more info visit (www.701cca.org).

For logistical or sponsorship questions regarding 701 CCA Columbia Open Studios, e-mail (openstudios@701CCA.org) or call Debi Schadel at 803/348-8861 or Tracie Broom at 415/235-5718.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/701CCA
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/701CCA
Hashtag: #ColaOpenStudios

The Next First Friday on Broad Art Walk Takes Place in Charleston, SC – Jan. 4, 2013, 5-8pm

Celebrate the New Year on Jan. 4, from 5-8pm, with a stroll down Charleston, SC’s Gallery Row. Charleston’s Gallery Row has much to be thankful for in 2012 and much to look forward to in 2013. Charleston was named Best City in the World in 2012, but a nod must also go to Broad Street as being named one of America’s top Streets in the Country by the Associated Press. If you haven’t made a visit to the row in a while, come and enjoy the art walk and see what is new!

Work by Kellie Jacobs

Start your evening at 1 ½ Broad at the Ellis Nicholson Gallery. This gallery is run by Jeannette Nicholson and Vicki Ellis, two well known local artists. The Ellis Nicholson Gallery also represents a number of nationally known artists, jewelers and sculptors. Just across the street you will find the Martin Gallery. Martin Gallery strives to bring some of the finest artists in a variety of fields together under one roof. Upon entering the historic Grand Salon of Martin Gallery, one experiences a soaring space filled with the exquisite color and texture of oils, acrylics, bronzes, marbles, terra-cottas and richly hued glass. Wander over to Oak Steak House known as one of the top restaurants in the city. Next you will find Normandy Farms, a wonderful artisan bakery and coffee shop.

COCO VIVO Fine Art | Interior Design and Utopia will be your next stops. COCO VIVO Fine Art | Interior Design  welcomes Stephanie Shuler Hamlet, Kellie Jacobs, and Charles and Zan Smith to the gallery in 2013 with a wonderful show, “New Beginnings”, featuring new artworks by Hamlet, Jacobs and the Smiths. Hamlet is very excited to move on to another phase of her life, no longer owning and operating a gallery, but becoming the best painter that she can be at COCO VIVO Fine Art. Jacobs states, “My new releases at COCO VIVO will demonstrate my love of pastels.” Visit Utopia ‘The Gallery”  for the art of fashion.  If you want to see what is trending ahead of the curve in the fashion world, this is the spot for you.

Galerie on Broad is new to the Row in 2012. It is owned by renowned artist Dee Beard Dean. Dean’s work is collected by art lovers from all over the world. Her signature style is a perfect complement to the other galleries here on the Row. Dean is a passionate and prolific artist who has studied with many renowned artists and is nationally recognized for her painterly landscapes and her expertise in many media including pastels, watercolors, and oils. Her greatest inspirations have come from painting en plein air where her eye for color and composition, and her elevated senses guide her hand in creating paintings filled with evocative light and dramatic shadows. Dean founded the Plein Air Painters of the Southeast (PAP-SE), a professional organization of acclaimed plein air artists living and working in the southeastern US. Her workshops are in great demand, offering instruction in this country and in beautiful locales around the world. She is also well known for her portraits and has done many noteworthy commissions. Dean has received many awards at juried art competitions and has been published in regional and national journals. Her artworks can currently be seen at fine art galleries around the country. Dean resides in Charleston, SC with her husband, Dr. Nicolai Chalfa. Her first book, “A Painter by Providence,” is in publication.

Edward Dare Gallery is one of the founding galleries of the Row; here you will find exquisite visual arts, fine crafts, pottery and fine art jewelry perfect for collecting or gift giving. Edward Dare will showcase new works by artist Bills Farnsworth.

Work by Hai Ou Hou

Your next stop will be the Robison and Richard Gallery, also new to Gallery Row this year. This gallery represents artist of distinction Terry Richard, as well as a slate of other nationally known artists. You will cross over Church Street to the Spencer Galleries. The Spencer’s have expanded from two to three galleries in 2012. Here you will find an array of emerging as well as established artists.  Jerry and Catherine Spencer always have the doors open and serve up the best in Southern hospitality to their art lovers for these events.

Across the row, Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art will be showcasing twelve talented Dutch artists, featuring new works by Frans van der Wal, Frits Goosen, Johannes Eerdmans, and Ron Meilof. These latest arrivals include a variety of landscapes, maritime scenes, and still life paintings. You can end your tour at the enchanting Mary Martin Gallery. Mary Martin welcomes you to an experience of discovering artists who have been selected because of their unique creative work in a variety of media. Martin states, “We enjoy art of all genres; however, our desire is to feature painters and sculptors who forge new ground using their formidable talent. We are not interested in artists who seek to emulate other artists. In addition, we are an eclectic gallery and don’t wish to be branded with just one style of work. We look for originality as well as beauty. We want the eyes, heart and soul, as well as the intellect to be stimulated, soothed, and excited.” The gallery has attracted and maintained collectors for years because of the diversity of the excellent work carried and the quality of the professional artists represented. For this show Mary Martin Gallery is featuring the work of impasto artist Richard Riverin.

Charleston’s Gallery Row and its many galleries and businesses have been featured in such national publications as American Art Collector, Fine Art Connoisseur, The Essential Guide, Southern Living, and more. We hope you can visit and join us for 2013. Gallery Row looks forward to hosting our monthly art walks, as well as some other wonderful fine art events in 2013 for art lovers and collectors.

Follow us on Facebook and visit the website at (www.charlestongalleryrow.com) for upcoming events.

First Fridays on Broad Art Walk Takes Place in Charleston, SC – Dec. 7, 2012, 5- 8pm

December is the time of year when fine art seems to capture the feeling of nostalgia in Charleston, SC, with no limit to the exceptional quality and diverse nature of subjects and genres being featured in the galleries. Visitors to Gallery Row will be greeted by white lights in gallery windows, the Olde Towne “Cinderella Carriage will be offering Carriage Rides, and Carolers will be strolling the streets to offer up some holiday cheer.

Gallery Row is pleased to present “Postcards From Charleston” for the First Fridays on Broad Art Walk on Dec., 7 2012, from 5-8pm. This is a special holiday treat, most galleries on Broad Street’s Gallery Row will feature miniature paintings – all sized and priced nicely for gift giving.  This show, “Postcards from Charleston” will include little gems by various artists from the galleries.  These small treasures are available only during the holidays, but will capture memories to share with your loved ones for a lifetime.

Work by Angela Trotta Thomas

COCO VIVO Fine Art|Interior Design proudly announces a special holiday art show during the month of December. Angela Trotta Thomas, official artist of Lionel Train Corporation, will exhibit a collection of original oils depicting nostalgic toy train art. An exciting COCO VIVO Christmas window scene will feature the Angela Trotta Thomas signature Express 0-4-0 toy train set traveling through a holiday snow village.  Angela’s powerful images are a mixture of Lionel trains, childhood, and the holiday season.

Hamlet Fine Art Gallery is pleased to present “Italian at Heart” by 3 women painters, Patricia Puckett, Jane Woodward and Stephanie Shuler Hamlet, who recently spent several weeks painting in Tuscany, Italy. Each artists is articulate in expressing the beautiful landscape  of Tuscany. Having recently returned from Italy, the artists have added works of art from Cortona, Assissi, Florence, Sienna and Rome to their portfolios.

The Spencer Art Galleries will be having  two opening receptions from 5 til 8 pm. Spencer Art Gallery I will be featuring new works by Claudette Bell – “Guiding Lights” and Spencer Art Gallery II will be featuring new works by Ann Von Rosenberg – “Gifts”.

Lambert Gray Gallery will be open for art walk with new works, including the new horse pieces by Hilarie Lambert and small treasures by Michael Gray and Tia Christophillis.

Robinson And Richardson Gallery for December  will be featuring: “Seven Continents, Around the World with Ray Ellis”. One of the lowcountry’s favorite artists, (although he now resides in Martha’s Vineyard), Ellis is 91 and still painting! The show will feature 24 works from his world travels. A must see show!

During his December show at Ella W. Richardson Fine Art, local artist Mickey Williams will present his newest evocations of the Charleston area and the quiet radiance of its many waterways and marshes. Visitors will be able to enjoy his show “A Change of Season” through December 31st.

Edward Dare Gallery will feature small works of Charleston by local and nationally known artists.

Participating art galleries include: Ellis-Nicholson Gallery, Hamlet Fine Art, Edward Dare Gallery, COCO VIVO, Mary Martin Fine Art, UTOPIA, Spencer Galleries, Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art, Martin Gallery, Lambert Gray Gallery, Galerie on Broad and Robison & Richard Fine Art.

For information please visit (www.Charlestongalleryrow.com) or for questions, please call Stephanie Hamlet at 843/722-1944.

Transylvania Community Arts Council in Brevard, NC, Presents Holiday Tour of Artists’ Studios – Dec. 8, 2012

The Transylvania Community Arts Council in Brevard, NC, will host its Holiday fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, with a Holiday Tour of Artists’ Studios. Artists participating include: Ann DerGara, Aaron Alderman, George Peterson, Shellie Lewis-Dambax, Suzanne Schmitt, Christine Kosiba, Sharyn Fogel, Brevard College Art Department – Spiers Gallery and art studios, and Brevard Lumber Arts District with Sam Owen, Mark Connelley, Jason Emory, Hayden Wilson, Chris Strassner and more.

Works by Christine Kosiba, photo by David Day

Tickets are on sale at TC Arts Council for the Holiday Tour of Artists’ Studios thru the day of the event. Tickets cost $20. Proceeds will benefit the TC Arts Council youth programs including Arts In Schools, Summer Art Camps and Kids Art Day. The TC Arts Council is located at 349 S. Caldwell Street in Brevard.

On Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, the night before the Holiday Tour of Artists’ Studios, TC Arts Council will host its annual Holiday Kick-Off Party at the home of Hugh Tucker and Paul Thomas. Enjoy this beautiful private home filled with artwork and decorated for the Holidays. Your ticket includes wine, heavy hors d’oeuvres by Courtyard Cafe, musical entertainment by George Andrews and an art auction. Tickets are $50 and go to support TC Arts Council’s Arts-In-Schools Program. Tickets are limited so call 828/884-2787 today! This event is sponsored by Comporium and TC Arts Council.

For more information call 828/884-2787 or visit (www.artsofbrevard.org).

Roundabout Art Collective in Raleigh, NC, Collects Food for Urban Ministries – Dec. 7, 2012

The Roundabout Art Collective in Raleigh, NC, is partnering with Urban Ministries to collect food donations to help re-stock the food pantry during this crucial time.  Those attendees who bring in 5 or more non-perishable food items during the Dec. 7, 2012, First Friday art walk, from 6-9pm, will receive a 10% discount for any gallery item. The gallery will be presenting works by gallery artists in the exhibit, Art for the Hearth.

Work by Susan Dahlin

The Roundabout Art Collective, located at 305 Oberlin Road in Raleigh, bringing together a diverse group of Wake County artists who have created a magnet location for exhibiting and selling art. Hours are: Mon.- Sat., 11am-5pm & Sun., 1-5pm.

For info call 919/747-9495 or visit (www.roundaboutartcollective.com).