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November Issue
2008
The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville,
NC, Features Exhibit on Woodworking Family
The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, NC, is presenting a unique heritage exhibit, Appalachian Exotics, featuring works by Alvin Thomas, Journel Thomas, and Caryl Brt, on display at the Arboretum's Education Center through Dec. 15, 2008.
This exhibit showcases the creations of a family trio of woodworkers from the Southern Appalachians. The roots of this family tree begin with Alvin Thomas, maker of traditional Appalachian dough bowls. His son, Journel Thomas and daughter in law, Caryl Brt have branched out from Thomas' work to explore contemporary turned and carved bowls, wooden spoons, lamps and mirrors.
All three are members of the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, NC. They are professional crafts technicians who play an important role in supporting student artists and classroom teaching.
Journal Thomas & Caryl Brt
A sense of place is a vital component to their work. Rather than importing hardwoods from rain forests thousands of miles away, the Thomas/Brt family prefers to simplify and practice sustainability by using materials from their own back yards. All the "exotic" woods they need for handcrafting beautiful objects can be found in the ecologically diverse chain of north-south mountains in which we live. The resulting works tell the tale of heritage and strong family ties through the craft of woodworking.
The mission of The North Carolina Arboretum is to cultivate connections between people and plants. The North Carolina Arboretum is located next to the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance at Milepost 393 in Asheville
For further information check our NC Institutional
Gallery listings, call the Arboretum at 828/665-2492 or visit
(www.ncarboretum.org).
Carolina Arts is published monthly by Shoestring Publishing Company, a subsidiary of PSMG, Inc. Copyright© 2008 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston Arts from July 1987 - Dec. 1994 and South Carolina Arts from Jan. 1995 - Dec. 1996. It also publishes Carolina Arts Online, Copyright© 2008 by PSMG, Inc. All rights reserved by PSMG, Inc. or by the authors of articles. Reproduction or use without written permission is strictly prohibited. Carolina Arts is available throughout North & South Carolina.