March 2011

Mesh Gallery in Morganton, NC, Offers Works by Asheville, NC, Artists

Mesh Gallery in Morganton, NC, is presenting the exhibit, The Artists of Constance Williams Gallery in Asheville, featuring the work of five artists, on view through Apr. 13, 2012. A reception will be held on Mar. 2, from 6-8pm. Ten percent of proceeds will benefitting Options, Inc.

Our Western North Carolina community relationships happen in so many interesting ways. Jenny Mastin’s ceramic sculptures inspired by native cultures, folklore and mythology blend with modern interpretation via her own life experiences. This connecting skill is also reflected in the pulling-together of her studio mates in her Asheville, NC, studio with Mesh Gallery in Morganton, near her home in Burke County, for a new group show. Mastin’s affiliations with folks throughout the entire region have drawn everyone together, including adding in a benefit aspect for Options, Inc.

Jenny Mastin, Constance Williams, Cassie Ryalls, Angelique Tassistro and Greg Vineyard have been creating work in their shared upstairs working studios, and showing together downstairs at Constance Williams Gallery in Asheville’s River Arts District for some time. Their events have included larger group and smaller monthly shows, and they have a harmonious method of displaying work in Constance’s spacious gallery. Visitors experience an environment where they flow from display to display, enjoying the whole space while still being able to also appreciate each artist’s individual style. Visiting gallery directors have also appreciated this concept, selecting everywhere from one to all five artists’ creations for various gallery shows and sales consignments throughout the region and country.

So it is a pleasure for the artists to be able to show together at Mesh Gallery, home to yearly shows and events, including one of Mastin’s favorites, The Art of Chocolate, to which the artists have also contributed works for auction in the past. This group show will benefit Options, Inc. with a donation of 10% of their proceeds from sales. Options is the domestic violence, rape and sexual assault shelter, education and advocacy center in Morganton, Burke County, NC.

The artists at Constance Williams Gallery are: Constance Williams (expressionist encaustic paintings & clay sculpture), Jenny Mastin (clay sculpture), Cassie Ryalls (clay sculpture), Angelique Tassistro (functional, decorated ceramics) and Greg Vineyard (meditative ceramics, inspired illustrations).

MESH Gallery is a progressive showcase for the arts located in downtown Morganton. The gallery features local and regional artists in single and multiple artist exhibitions throughout the year. We are dedicated to exhibiting work by accomplished artists that is on a level that equals galleries in large cities. The gallery also host “preview” shows twice a year for non-profit art auction fundraisers. This allows local amateur and professional artists more exposure for their contributions and has allowed the non-profit organizations to raise more money through longer, more public exposure of their events.

MESH Gallery is supported and housed in the same location as MESH Design Group, a full service advertising agency providing complete print and web development services. Through a symbiotic relationship, both businesses are successfully operating.

Options, Inc. is a small non-profit advocacy center that provides empowerment services and emergency shelter to Burke County families in crisis. We support victims of domestic and sexual violence as they become empowered to make life decisions and break the cycles of abuse and economic dependence. Options was founded as a volunteer agency and began assisting battered women and children in 1978. Initially, Options provided rape and sexual assault advocacy, hospital accompaniment, and court advocacy for victims of violent crime. Options opened the Cliffhaven Shelter for battered women in 1990, and in 2002 expanded to a new facility.

The Constance Williams Gallery, located in Asheville’s River Arts District. Constance Williams has filled her encaustic working studio and light-filled gallery with additional artworks from selected local artists, several of whom work upstairs above the gallery. Constance Williams Gallery also hosts events, workshops and shows in their large, light-filled working studio space.

For further information check our NC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at 828/437-1957 or visit (www.meshgallery.com)

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