November Issue 2001
Fiber Art and the Fine Pottery of William (Bill) Johnston at Wilkes Art Gallery in North Wilkesboro, NC
The Wilkes Art Gallery in North Wilkesboro, NC, is excited to bring William "Bill" Johnston, a native son, home to Wilkes County to exhibit his fine pottery Nov. 2-24. Also exhibiting this month are four unique fiber artists. They are Dr. Marianne Stevens Suggs of Blowing Rock, Kimberly Childs of Asheville, Catherine Altice of Todd and Jean Vollrath of Staley.
Johnston says, "I make pots that please my eye, feel good in my hand and serve me well," Wilkes County and his teacher here, Sara Mills, are his foundation for making pottery. In May of 2000, WAG held Johnston's first exhibition and sold nearly every piece of pottery. His stoneware pots are thrown on the wheel and then, sometimes altered into more organic shapes. The most prominent glaze colors are green, brown, gold and blue from the forest and mountains of the Blue Ridge.
Suggs is a professor in the Art Department at Appalachian State University. The exhibited body of work examines the flower trade in Columbia, S.C. Ten mixed-media pieces make a powerful statement about the injustices of the global flower trade. In her artist's statement, Suggs writes, "This work is done to honor, to remember, and especially to call attention to the plight of the individuals who have no choice but to submit themselves to hazardous working conditions that produce the beautiful commercial flowers that we take for granted."
Childs resides in Asheville, NC, but has traveled extensively. She worked in a variety of fields, including psychotherapy before delving into the world of Fiber art full time. A large array of her quilts is on display in the gallery. "The culminating art quilt is a product of a time and place in my life. I find the lush, comforting medium of fabric to be infinitely versatile," she says.
Altice owns Tin Roof Studios in Todd. On exhibit are three floor cloths and two mixed-media paintings. Patchwork Girl, a mixed media painting, is an amazing work combining the beauty and versatility of fabric with acrylic paint. "My art is a primal need to engage and evoke beauty with simplicity, grace and even humor," she states.
Vollrath's work reflects her intimate relationship with fabric and hand weaving. Her wearable fiber work is woven from natural fibers and fabrics. In addition to her unique work, Vollrath has experience as a hand-weaving instructor for the Randolph Arts Guild and the Durham Arts Council.
For more information check our NC Institutional
Gallery listings or call the gallery at 336/667-2841.
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