November 2011

Art Trail Gallery in Florence, SC, Gets Ready for the Coming Holidays

Since its inception, the Art Trail Gallery in Florence, SC, has been dedicated to unearthing talent in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina and showcasing the wide array of artistic expression and skills that exists. The Holiday Show, running from Nov. 8 through to Dec. 9, 2011, will consist of three components – the Main Exhibit, the Painters’ Nook, and the Corner Shoppe. Together, these three elements are designed to both highlight the creative endeavors of participants and also attract shoppers to support local artists this holiday season which is consistent with the Gallery’s pragmatic, underlying philosophy of economic development for the arts.

Participating artists thus far are: Vernon Bauer, Dale Beaton, Jeanne Bourque, Debbie Broadway, Peggy Brown, Brandon Cooper, Sue Czerwinski, Linda Damiano, Mike Fowle, Patz Fowle, Ines Gillier, Jim Gleason, Donna Goodman, Ken Grut, Theresa Grut, Gaye Ham, Polly Jo Hanna, Martha Herbert, Carmen Hepburn, Chantz Huggins, Ted Huminski, Rachell Hyman, Carolyn Jebaily, Sarah Jones, David Lance, Lesia Lance, Jane Madden, Michael Madden, Suzan Marsac, Gingi Martin, Barbara Mellen, Suzanne Muldrow, Ann Page, Elena Poltavtchenko, Carl Raatz, Linda Rounds, Marina Schleg, Patrick Showalter, P. J. Singletary, Manning Smith, Jackie Stasney, Denny Stevenson, Tiffany Thomas, Gloria Turner, and Dannie Welch.

Highlighting the Holiday Show is the Main Exhibit focusing on wood, ceramics, fiber, and jewelry. Among the works visitors can expect to see are the intricate wood carvings of Dale Beaton, the graceful woodturnings of Ted Huminski, and the unique works of Ann Page who does both woodturning and pyrography. Vernon Bauer will be on hand with his striking handmade pens and Michael Madden will show a variety of woodturned bottle stoppers in exotic woods.

Jim Gleason will be returning to the Gallery for this exhibit to share his interpretation of a music box created from old instruments. Gleason was a hit during the World of Music exhibit with his display of lamps created from various instruments.

Tiffany Thomas, multi-talented young artist winning several awards recently for her painting, will also share her unique offerings in carved porcelain. Carolyn Jebaily, one of the region’s best-known artists in ceramics who prefers to work on a larger scale, will have examples of her newest works for discriminating buyers.

Another highlight of the ceramics area of the Main Exhibit will be a display of the latest works of Patz and Mike Fowle. These whimsical, humorous creations are a magical combination of extreme attention to the finest detail and unbounded imagination. Those who have enjoyed the previous works of the Fowles will find these hard to resist. The host of characters they have created seem destined to be discovered by Disney or Pixar and are bound to become collectors’ items.

Fiber is represented by an array of creative products ranging from the traditional knitting and crocheting to fine embroidery, paste paper boxes, and hand-dyed silk scarves. Susan Allen, a member of the Artisans of the South Carolina Tobacco Trail, will be showing her pine needle baskets. Her carefully crafted pieces are always a crowd pleaser.

Jewelry, as expected, will feature a significant repertoire for visitors’ enjoyment. Barbara Mellen, “The Glass Earring Lady,” will have a sampling of her dichroic creations that can now be found in better stores across the nation. In addition to the pieces by Mellen, other artists will display items featuring a wide variety of materials, at every price-point. Jackie Stasney, becoming well-known for her work with natural gemstones, will have both individual pieces and sets available including bracelets. One unique aspect to the jewelry section will be the chance to see gemstones being faceted. David Lance will be providing demonstrations throughout the show. A schedule will be posted at the Gallery and on the website for interested individuals.

The Painters’ Nook will be a popular feature in the Holiday Show. Artists have been invited to select the best of their works to offer to the public during this festive season. In contrast to the Painters’ Nook, the Corner Shoppe will provide visitors with a bit of everything - hand-painted glass vases by Gaye Ham, flutes by Ken and Theresa Grut, handmade musical instruments by David Lance, new musical instrument lamps by Jim Gleason, handmade soaps by Suzan Marzac of Humble from the Earth Soaps and Patrick Showalter of Harvest Moon Soaps, seashell wreaths and driftwood trimmed mirrors by Linda Rounds, Christmas ornaments by Marina Schleg and more.

In an effort to encourage regional shoppers to take advantage of the variety and pricing available on unique items, the Art Trail Gallery is extending its hours during the Holiday Show. In addition to its regular hours of Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:30am to 2:30pm, the Gallery will be open from 4 to 8pm on Thursday and Friday and 3 until 8pm on Saturdays.

The Holiday Show culminates with the celebrating of the 3rd birthday for the Gallery on the final night of the exhibit, Dec. 9, 2011. Everyone is invited to stop by for last minute shopping and birthday cake!

For further information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings, call Jane Madden at 843/673-0729 or visit (www.art-trail-gallery.com).

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