FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TACS Announces Gallery Reception for Kevin Sprouls and Janet Orselli, Artist Residency, and Jewelry Sale
Tryon, NC – May 11 2024 –
Tryon Arts & Crafts School (TACS) is thrilled to present an exciting lineup of gallery events, culminating in a public opening reception on Friday, May 31, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. TACS exhibitions are sponsored by New View Realty.
The May 31 reception will feature “Illustration, A Glance Back,” a solo exhibition featuring original works by renowned illustrator Kevin Sprouls and the unveiling of Janet Orselli’s highly anticipated site-specific art installation, “Precious Things”. Both exhibits will be open to the general public from June 1 to July 19. Friday evening will also be the opening of a two-day handcrafted jewelry sale hosted by TACS’ students and instructors. Complimentary refreshments will be provided.
“Illustration, A Glance Back” is a solo exhibition of original drawings by Kevin Sprouls, creator of the Wall Street Journal “hedcut” portrait style. The selections in this exhibition capture his signature style, which is achieved with technical fountain pens and India ink, to create an aesthetic akin to engravings and woodblock printmaking. The survey exhibit includes various themes and genres, including architecture, landscapes, cityscapes, still lifes, and portraits of celebrities. Exhibition highlights include “Barack Obama” (2012), a portrait published on the cover of Harper’s Magazine; “Villa Capronie, Rome” (2008), commissioned by Temple University; and “Space Toys” (1986), a conceptual illustration for the Wall Street Journal.
Janet Orselli’s “Precious Things” installation creates an immersive experience, inviting the viewer into two distinct yet interconnected spaces within the gallery. Positioning TACS’ movable walls, she creates the illusion of intimate rooms, prompting different modes of engagement: immersion or voyeurism. Orselli’s found-object assemblages provoke contemplation on visual and conceptual dualities, encouraging the audience to explore the inherent meaning of objects and their arrangement.
In advance of the exhibition reception date, Orselli has been engaged in a one-month artist residency during which she is constructing a site-specific installation. The public is invited to visit TACS to observe and converse with Orselli. She will hold public hours on Monday and Wednesday, May 20 and 22, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
The two-day jewelry sale, hosted by TACS’ Jewelry Studio Committee, will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, May 31 and from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 1. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the remodeling of the Jewelry Studio, supporting the improvement of facilities for TACS courses in silversmithing, enameling, metal clay, and lapidary. Participating metalsmiths include Jimmi Buell, Melinda Holland, Jill Kemp, Patti Miles-Cooner, Shannon Thornberg, Ben Waddell, and Laura White.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with Janet Orselli’s immersive installation, explore the captivating artwork of Kevin Sprouls, and support TACS’ Jewelry Studio. For more information, visit www.tryonartsandcrafts.org or contact TACS at (828) 859-8323.
IMAGE: “Space Toys”, Illustration by Kevin Sprouls
IMAGE: “Dwelling Between”, Installation by Janet Orselli
IMAGE: Pendant by Jimmi Buell
