ART AFTER HOURS
The second Friday of each month the gallery presents "Art After
Hours" and our Artist Reception. This is a special event from 5 -9 PM with live music and light
hors d'oeuvres to kick off a new and exciting show featuring the talents
of selected local artists in our Guest Gallery. The entire downtown area celebrates with carriage rides and other venues that stay open as well. Come by enjoy your community artists.
Susan Dahlin Bashford Guest Artist January 8th - February 6th "Barnyard Babes"
Art runs in the veins of this
Norwegian family. At the young age of six, Susan received an easel, palette,
and box of oil paints from her father Finn, a professional portrait painter.
For centuries the canvas has been a gift of expression for the Dahlin family.
Susan Dahlin received her B.A. from
Penn State University in 1979 where she studied fine art for several years.
However, it was the lure of the television screen that took her eye off the
canvas as she worked as an on-air talent at WRAL-TV 5 in Raleigh, North
Carolina, for nearly two decades. After the passing of her father, the one
possession she could not give up was his imposing seasoned easel. Several years
later, she felt its calling. Dusting off
the cobwebs and picking up where he left off, she feels her father’s spirit as
she paints. Today, Susan enjoys exploring the beauty and wonder of nature as it
unfolds on the canvas. Animals are her favorite subject matter, especially cows
in all shapes and colors.
Susan’s work has been sold by
Gallery 1401 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as well as other galleries throughout
the South. Married with two daughters, her youngest, Sarah, has already caught
the bug. Come by and see these wonderful paintings by Susan in January!
Jose Laguna, Acrylic Abstract Artist Guest Artist February 12th - March 6th
"One Life Expressions"
Jose Laguna is an impassioned abstract artist
based in Rolesville, NC, where he dedicates his time to writing and
painting. After devoting 26 years as a career professional in corporate
America, he shifted gears and commenced a long awaited chapter in his
life when he picked up a paint brush and put it to canvas. He has been
honing his artistic prowess ever since. By nature a profoundly
forward-thinking and optimistic person, Laguna infuses his philosophies
and outlook on life into his work. He makes his mark on the viewer with
liberal strokes of vivid and evocative color. The dynamic texture and
dimension seen in his pieces beckon the eye and invigorate. Says the
artist, "When creating an abstract painting, I think about the emotion
that the forms, shapes and colors will elicit in the viewer, and I let
that drive me. I commit to composing art that evokes indelible memories
and somehow alters the viewer on a visceral level. It is only then that
I feel I have contributed something valuable."
You may contact Jose Laguna at (919) 761-8576 or email
j.d.laguna@att.net
"Totem Pole"
"Green"
"Sedona"
Come by and meet Jose at his reception in our Gallery Room on Friday, February 12th. His beautiful abstract artwork will be on display and available for viewing all month during our regular business hours: Thursday-Saturday, 11:00 am-5:00 pm.
Mark & Kathi Haynes, M & K Haynes Photography Guest Artists for March 12th-April 3rd
Clingman's Dome
Mark and Kathi Haynes of Raleigh, NC have always enjoyed the many facets of
their photography. For years while traveling on business and pleasure, they
casually enjoyed capturing the beauty of the world around them with a
camera.
With the encouragement of family and friends, Mark and Kathi further studied
the art and science of photography taking their talents to new levels. In April
2004, they started a business selling their fine art photography.
"Pink Chair"
Today, M&K Haynes Photography is thriving and growing. Mark and Kathi
continue to do all of the work; from taking the photographs, to cutting the
mats, to framing the prints, and marketing their work.
"Fence Post"
Their prints can be found
in fine dining establishments, upscale garden boutiques, office environments,
and at over a dozen juried art festivals throughout the year.
Click on this photo to be taken to their website: www.mkhaynesphotography.com or To contact Mark & Kathi Haynes: Phone: (919) 870-7728 Email: info@mkhaynesphotography.com