April 2014

Caldwell Memorial Hospital in Lenoir, NC, Offers Works by Beth Oczkowski

The Caldwell Arts Council’s Art-in-Healing Gallery will feature quilling art by Hickory, NC, artist Beth Oczkowski beginning Apr. 1 and continuing through June 30, 2014. The Art-in Healing Gallery is located just inside the Mulberry Street Entrance to Caldwell Memorial Hospital, in Lenoir, NC.

Quilling, as it is called in America, is also known as paper filigree in Europe. It is an ancient art form thought to date back to the 15th century. Probably copied from gold and silver metal filigree work of the wealthy, with the invention of paper it became more popular and was taught at many boarding schools. There is still filigree work from the 18th century in museum collections.

Oczkowski was first introduced to paper quilling in 1986 and it has been her preferred art medium ever since. Although selling at many local craft venues over the years, it wasn’t until 2010 that she started exhibiting professionally. She has had both solo and shared exhibitions and has earned several ribbons in both open and juried competitions.

Oczkowski was the owner of Creative Touches Craft Gallery in Southampton, PA, prior to moving to North Carolina. She was also the craft organizer for that town’s week-long Fourth of July festival.

Oczkowski continues to seek a higher level of artistic expression through self-experimenting and with techniques learned from other quillers through the North American Quilling Guild of which she is a member. She accepts commissions and specializes in floral-bordered wedding invitations and baby announcements as well as dog portraits. She teaches classes, gives talks and performs demonstrations on the art form.

Oczkowski says, “I am inspired by what can be created by rolling and shaping strips of paper. Most of my work tends to the realistic and recently has evolved by creating extreme dimension in the pieces I create. I take inspiration from all that surrounds me in daily life. Since that initial introduction I am still captivated by the art and my admiration for it continues to grow. It takes patience to work with this delicate craft and I enjoy the detail and perfection that this art demands.”

Oczkowski exhibits her work year round at the Caldwell Arts Council in Lenoir, the Burke Arts Council in Morganton, NC, and Gallery 27 in Lincolnton, NC.

The Caldwell Arts Council’s programs are supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources and by individual and corporate donors.

For more info check our NC Institutional Gallery listings, call the Council at 828/754-2486 or visit (www.caldwellarts.com).

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