About the Exhibition

 

Tryon Arts & Crafts School is pleased to partner with Upstairs Artspace to present OVERFLOW, a dedicated satellite installation complementing the primary solo exhibition, The Phenomenology of Water: Works by Martha Strawn.

 

Installed in the TACS Rear Gallery, OVERFLOW expands upon Strawn’s evocative exploration of water’s material, environmental, and contemplative dimensions. Presented in tandem with Upstairs Artspace’s main presentation in downtown Tryon, this collaboration offers audiences an extended spatial dialogue with Strawn’s lens-based practice across two neighboring cultural institutions.

 

Visitors are strongly encouraged to experience the main exhibition, on view at Upstairs Artspace through January 8, 2027.

 

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Collaborative Programming & Key Dates

 

At Tryon Arts & Crafts School (TACS)

 

November 3 | OVERFLOW opens to the public (Regular Hours: T-F, 9-4; Sat, 9-1)

 

November 11 | “Water and Light” Photography Workshop with Martha Strawn & Monica Stevenson, NOTE: Program at neighboring Harmon Field.

 

November 12, 5:30-7:00 PM | Evening Reception for TACS’ Annual Handcrafted Holiday Market and TACS’ Annual Online Auction, with viewing of OVERFLOW.

 

February 12, 5:30-7:00 PM | Closing Reception & Social for FuseFest Weekend Glass Symposium (The reception is free and open to the public; participation in the Saturday-Sunday FuseFest weekend program requires pre-registration)

 

At Upstairs Artspace (Main Venue)

 

November 1, 2:00-4:00 PM | Main Exhibition Opening Reception

 

November 4, 2:00-3:30 PM | Artist Talk & Q&A with Martha Strawn

 

November 15, 2:00-4:00 PM | Community Panel Discussion on Water (Featuring voices across ecology, biology, philosophy, art history, and poetry)

 

January 6, 2:00 PM | Art History Lecture: Dr. Lili Corbus (Associate Professor Emerita, UNC Charlotte)

 

January 8 | Main Exhibition Closing & Gallery Stop-By (Open until 7:00 PM)

 

Plan Your Visit

 

Main Exhibition: Upstairs Artspace | November 1, 2026 – January 8, 2027

 

Satellite Annex: Tryon Arts & Crafts School | November 1, 2026 – February 13, 2027

 

Work and print acquisition inquiries related to OVERFLOW may be directed to TACS gallery staff.

 

Work and print acquisition inquiries related to THE PHENOMENOLOGY OF WATER may be directed to Upstairs Artspace gallery staff.

Special thanks are extended to Martha Strawn, Monica Stevenson, Dr. Lili Corbus, and Upstairs Artspace.

 

TACS’s annual sponsor is New View Realty.

 

TACS’ event sponsors include Nature’s Storehouse, Biltmore Wines, and Athletic Brewing.

 

Additional event and general sponsors include Nature’s Storehouse, Overmountain Vineyards, Tryon Theatre, Biltmore Wines, and Athletic Brewing.

 

TACS gratefully acknowledges operational support from the Polk County Community Foundation, Duke Energy, ArtsAVL, Anna & Nathan Flax Foundation, Florence V. Burden Foundation, North Carolina Arts Council, and the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.