Alamance Artisans’s artwork will be displayed at UNC–Chapel Hill’s Friday Center. The opening reception is Sunday, May 31, 3 – 5 pm.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Alamance Artisans Guild in North Carolina was formed to nurture the production of fine arts and fine crafts, increase the awareness of handmade objects, facilitate networking among artisans, and develop marketing venues for members. Recently they were given the opportunity to display the artwork of the guild members in UNC–Chapel Hill’s Friday Center. It is a wonderful opportunity for the artists to show the variety and depth of art in Alamance County. This exhibit, opening May 1st, showcases painters, potters, metalworkers, fiber artists, mixed media artists and woodworkers displaying their artworks. Here’s what a few of the artists have to say.

Paintings: Pamela WATTS describes her inspiration “With my love of gardening and flowers, my watercolor work is mainly still life florals. I use warm colors and strong pure pigments which are not the traditional colors typical of watercolor. Painting is my passion and gives me inner peace”. President of the guild and watercolorist Beverly MCANULTY states: “Watercolors are so perfect for florals and still lifes and I like to paint mine in rich, dark colors to show the lights.”

Tracy HULEY paints “in the attempt to ‘get down’ on canvas things that speak to me. A painting is successful for me when it captures the essence of what first inspired me to paint it.” Debbie MARTZ describes her artworks as “inspirational acrylic paintings containing energetic textures and contemplative themes, such as the importance of community and cherishing friendships.

Priscilla STARLING says: “I either love a subject or I don’t paint it. Each animal, tree, person or body of water is personally connected to my heart.” Leigh HOLT notes: “I have done three paintings in watercolor and one paper painting (collage), which is hand-painted papers that are torn and glued onto a canvas to form a painting. I’m looking forward to the show.”

Kathleen GWINNETT works with watercolors and acrylics. She always seeks new ways to illustrate architecture, landscapes, flowers and figures. Jude LOBE creates expressionist landscapes that capture the emotion of the scene in oil and abstract narratives in cold wax & oil that live in a world between landscape and abstract. Lobe’s muse is nature and the continuous thread throughout all the mediums with which she works. Janyth FREDRICKSON says: “In painting in retirement, I reconnect to the child at play–the excitement of a new box of crayons, their points still sharp, and a blank sheet of paper just waiting for my imagination to fill it with images and colors. This is an exciting, and very challenging, hobby.”

Carol LANGLEY is a photographer and watercolorist. Sunset at Hopi Point was taken after all the tourists had left Hopi Point at the Grand Canyon. “It was a magnificent sunset with the colors of the sky reflected in the canyon.” Sedona Butterfly was taken on Schnebly Hill Road in Sedona, Arizona where dozens of butterflies are attracted to the thistles on the side of the road. “Cheese Box Butte or “Utah Butte” near Hite, Utah, is one of the sights I painted in watercolor. The large Rhododendron watercolor is based on a photograph shot at Rhododendron Gardens at Roan Mountain Tennessee.” Bob YORK has been captivated by visual phenomena and the processes involved in the creation of art. Working in several mediums including painting, drawing and sculpture, his work is primarily abstract. And Nancy DICIOLLA, creates abstract paintings, mixed media personal expressions and photography. She looks at her canvas as a visual adventure bringing great pleasure. Nature offers her the inspiration and perfect design. Ceramics: Cindy BILES’s ceramic sculptures tell of fond childhood memories. Growing up in the 1960s with many relatives living nearby, she recalls birthday parties with homemade cake and Neapolitan ice cream and other great, noisy gatherings.

Fiber & Textile Arts: CHRISTIE MINCHEW works with felt. Her color, texture and movement are key elements of the medium best described as mixed media, wire and fiber. Her 2- and 3-dimensional pieces combine techniques and materials that reward the viewer with a visual dessert. JEAN KAPLAN’s weavings speak with shapes, colors, and textures to visually represent the sounds, light, and spirits of her woodland home and the beauty of those interactions. “I enjoy the tactile and am intrigued by the particular interplay of colors unique to weaving.”

Metalwork: Metal worker Wendy GELLERT describes her art as fused and lampwork glass combined with steel to create unique wall hangings.

Mixed Media: Steven DURLAND’s mediums are digital imagery, assemblage and installation. He will be exhibiting digital images of geometric patterns developed from rotting leaves. Images are printed on canvas and framed with repurposed wood.”I doubt that will make sense to anyone, but then I guess you just have to be there.”

Pottery: The several potters exhibiting exemplify very different approaches and styles. Coy QUAKENBUSH has always used his hands to make things. In 1996 he was looking for something to bring focus to his creative abilities. “The mud I used to wiggle my toes in when I was little was the answer. It brought everything full circle and into focus. In creating pottery with my hands, I see ideas evolve into new realities. I have developed a 2-D watercolor technique using same colored clay slips that allows me to add a contemporary, abstract element to my work.”

Susan KERN’s Falcon Lane Pottery has produced functional high-fire stoneware since 1998. Wheel-thrown, food-safe pieces often feature carving, underglaze inlay, and other forms of surface embellishment designed to complement simple, generous forms.

Jan HOLOMAN loves making functional and decorative stoneware pottery. “At the moment, my favorite pieces to work on are coffee mugs, casseroles, lamps, and fountains.” Deb BARNETT hand builds functional and decorative pottery. “I am inspired by art nouveau and Asian art and look for ways to add texture to my pieces.”

Woodworks: Jim DUXBURY is a woodturner, inventor, and perfectionist thinks and creates “out of the box.” His beautiful artworks are also designed to function well. His wood turnings are unique, and he seldom turns the same thing twice. Larry FAVORITE is a master craftsman who works with ironwood from the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. He handcrafts boxes, bowls, vases, and wallhangings and highlights the rich grain of the ironwood with inlays of sterling silver and turquoise, and other semi-precious gemstones.

Opening Reception: Sunday, May 31, 3–5 pm, Friday Center, 100 Friday Center Dr., Chapel Hill, NC 27517

If you are an artist and live in Alamance County, visit the Alamance Artisans Guild website where you will find a link to join the guild and take part in other opportunities like this exhibit at the Friday Center.