OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2018 @ MORGANTON CITY HALL

Meet the artist during a reception at Morganton City Hall, Oct. 1, from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Local artist Carol Turner paints to see clearly and interpret freely. Carol began painting after retirement. She read how-to-paint books, participated in open studios and did workshops at the Hickory Museum of Art. She then joined the Watercolor Society of NC, where she is now a signature member. She was initially inspired to document her travels and sell her work through local galleries. Carol’s work then evolved as she realized everything she saw was a possible subject for her artwork. Her work includes figurative, still life, landscape and abstract, and she enjoys mixing various media.

Turner will be present at Morganton City Hall during the artist reception on Monday, October 1, to discuss her work. Her artwork will be on display in City Hall during October and November.

February and March - Burke Quilters Guild

The Burke Quilters Guild was organized in May 1988. The purpose of the guild is to preserve and promote the art of quilting and to provide opportunities for learning and sharing ideas through active programs of education and study. The guild supports the Burke County community thorough its Veteran’s quilt program and Wee Care Projects.

Video  | Photo Gallery

April and May - Derrick Chalfant

Derrick Chalfant resides in Hickory, NC. He is an untrained artist and identifies himself as a 'primitive modernist’. About five years ago the idea that art was 'supposed to be' or ‘needed to look a certain way’ was removed from his thinking and the mystery of creating art was made simple. When he paints, he is fascinated by how simple application of color to the canvas can transform the visual dynamic of a piece, bringing it to life. He is inspired by the colors and imagery that he sees in everyday life, others' paintings, music and performance. He looks forward to developing his craft as he learns something new from each piece and is excited to discover where this journey will take him, meeting people along the way who identify with his expression.

Video  | Photo Gallery

June and July - Nancy Hilliard Joyce  •   Nelson Brookshire

Nancy Hilliard Joyce was born in Greenville, South Carolina and was accepted into the Governor’s School for the Arts in Visual Art at the age of 16. For 5 years she served on the Board of Trustees at the Asheville Art Museum and was an active member of the River Arts District Association in Asheville, NC. Today, Nancy works primarily from her home studio in Concord, NC. She is passionate about giving back to children in need and regularly uses her art as a platform to raise money for charity and non-profit organizations.

Nelson Brookshire, a self-described folk artist, was born in Caldwell County, NC, in 1943. His only “formal” art training was in elementary school with Edith Carter, a well-respected teacher and leader in the arts in NC. In 1998 Nelson began to seriously consider ways to use paper as an art medium.  He ultimately decided to cut magazine paper and roll it into small tubes that he uses in a manner similar to mosaics to create his pictures. No paints of any kind are used. All colors appearing in his art are simply those found in magazines. Nelson and his wife live in The Village of Cedar Rock near Lenoir, NC.

Joyce: Video  | Brookshire: Video  | Photo Gallery  

August and September - Matt Strawn

Matthew Strawn became serious about creating art more than thirty years ago, after graduating from the Ringling School of Art in 1981. In the summer of 1991, he was approached by several artists with the idea of forming a cooperative gallery. With the help of the late artist Gail Moore, they organized the Foothills Visual Artist Guild, originally located in the former Lenoir Mall. This location was their ‘home’ for over 20 years. Matt works primarily in printmaking, specializing in etching. He also works in woodcut prints and paints in watercolor. His subject matter is primarily local scenery, architecture, landscapes and some portraits.

Video  | Photo Gallery 

October and November - Carol Turner – “To See Clearly”

Carol Turner paints to see clearly and interpret freely. Always interested in Art, visiting museums and galleries whenever possible as well as taking a class or two over the years, Carol finally began painting after retirement. She read how-to-paint books, participated in Open Studio and some workshops at the Hickory Museum of Art and joined the Watercolor Society of NC (now a signature member). Initially, documenting travel and selling that work through a local gallery were strong motivators. Now everything seems a possible subject. Her work includes figurative, still life, landscape and abstract, and she enjoys mixing various media. Her goal, far from achieved, is to simplify.

Video  | Photo Gallery

December and January 2019 - Uschi Jeffcoat 

Ursula Ann Jeffcoat, born in Germany, goes by her childhood nickname Uschi. She is German-American and finds her home in both cultures. Her watercolors typically are metaphors referencing the study of the natural world in relation to cultural patterns and perspectives. Uschi comes to us from Florence, SC.

Video  | Photo Gallery 

February and March - “Home in a New Place: Making Laos in Morganton” – Katy Clune

Reception - Feb. 6, 5:00pm-6:30pm at City Hall

Clune’s photography and writing depicts an immigrant community in Morganton, including the family of Toon Phapphayboun, who escaped Laos by swimming across the Mekong River at age 14. The collection explores three realms essential to the Phapphaybouns’ identity in North Carolina: their home and holiday traditions; the family restaurant; and the Buddhist temple they helped to establish.  

Video  | Photo Gallery

April and May - “Inspired” - Foothills Painters

Reception – Tour d’Art Downtown – April 27, 5:00pm – 7:00pm

They are more than their name suggests! Together they explore new ideas, share new techniques, and encourage artistic development to broaden their horizons. With a wide range of backgrounds, ages, and skills they come together to express themselves through art. Foothills Painters is a diverse group of artists that formed in 2002; they gather once a month to share their latest works, participate in critiques, and plan events. Foothills’ members work in a broad range of styles from realistic to impressionistic, abstract and expressionistic. The City Hall exhibit will be an exciting mixture of works that represent their diverse membership.

Video  | Photo Gallery

June and July - Uni4 Artists

Reception – Tour d’Art Downtown – June 22, 5:00pm – 7:00pm

The Uni4Artists Association is a membership based group for supporters and artists in all mediums in the visual/graphic arts, with this purpose: To encourage and promote visual artists of the Unifour area and enhance the quality of life for everybody in the community through the arts. Uni4Artists meetings are evenings at the Hickory Museum of Art.

Video  | Flickr Album  | Facebook Album 

August and September - "Melody in the heART" by Natalia Leigh

Reception – Tour d’Art Downtown – August 24, 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Natalia was born and raised in Europe. As a young girl she displayed great talent for Art. She graduated from Art College in Europe. Her skills as an artist increased as the years went by and as she used her imagination and love for nature to capture the distinct details by which her paintings became a household name. Natalia arrived in Cleveland, Ohio, United States in 2005 for a chance to better herself where she painted illustrations for children's books for private customers. In 2012, she relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina and began to display her paintings in several online Art contests and in local art museums and galleries. Natalia currently works as a nurse and continues to paint in her spare time.

Video  | Photo Gallery 

October and November - Kathi Yarnall

Reception – Tour d’Art Downtown – October 19, 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Kathi Yarnall is from Pennsylvania, where she has worked as a fine artist, HS art teacher, and graphic designer. After retiring from teaching, she was selected to create and operate her own business as a museum gift shop in Eagles Mere. Since moving to the South Mountains in 2013, she has become an active member of the Catawba Valley art community, working primarily in watercolor and acrylics with a wide variety of subject matter and painting techniques...whatever catches her eye or imagination.

Video  | Photo Gallery

December and January 2018 - Jeanne Schlumbohm & Tamara Houser

Ever since Jeanne was a child growing up in Pennsylvania, and able to grasp a crayon, she wanted to draw. Much to her parent's and teacher's dismay, it took precedence over her school work. Her Mother understood, she was an artist too and a great influence and encouragement to continue her art. Jeanne is mainly self-taught and works in various mediums; with her favorite medium being Graphite, allowing her to capture as much detail as possible. Her favorite subject matters are nature and portraits.

Photography has been a long time passionate hobby of Tamara. Living in Alaska for over 20 years, she had the opportunity to assist a very experienced photographer with outdoor weddings and events. The interest in outdoor photography grew after she got a Harley Davidson motorcycle and traveled not just Alaska, but Canada and the US on long trips for many years. She has always been drawn to the little things in everyday life that most people simply don't notice....water droplets hanging from trees, petals on a flower or the way light makes magic happen.

Video  | Photo Gallery