TACS “Unity” Annual Members’ Exhibition
+
Featured Work by Elayne Goodman, Collection of Jon & Kerry Austin
+
Works by Southern Highland Craft Guild Potters
Meghan Bernard, Ann Gleason & John Turner
McEntire, Dale. “Indra’s Net”. 2023. Oil on Canvas. 48″x32″.
Tryon Arts & Crafts School held the public opening reception and awards ceremony for the annual member exhibition on Friday, March 10, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The show, on the theme of “Unity”, will be on display until April 15 and includes original art entries by 33 artists, a special loaned painting by folk artist Elayne Goodman, and refreshments bringing together many local farms prepared by Twisted Fork. TACS also is exhibiting pottery works by three members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild – Meghan Bernard, Ann Gleason, and John Turner.
TACS members were invited to submit entries in the following three award categories: unity, as a principal of design; unity, as a social concept; and unity, as a collaboration between two or more artists.
Those submitting to “unity, as a principal of design” were asked to present work with a balanced, systematic use of the elements of design, producing a work that feels like one harmonious voice.
Those submitting to “unity, as a social concept” were challenged to consider fairness, equality, inclusivity, and belonging. They were asked, “Where do you find your sense of belonging? Do you feel a sense of unity with all of humanity? Do you feel a sense of unity through your heritage, family, religion, race, gender, sexuality, occupation, or socioeconomic standing?”
The resulting exhibit shows the talent, breadth, passion, and humor of the artists who support TACS as members.
The Unity Awards were judged by Charlotte artist and writer Barbara Schreiber. The winners are as follows:
- For collaboration – Sue Monroe w/ Christine Mariotti, Summer Echoes
- For social concept – Jimmi Buell, Woodstock
- For Design – Ann Gleason, Canister Set
Participating Unity artists include UNITY Participating artists include Beth Busbee, Jimmi Buell, Eleanor Bundy, Joe Cooper, Ellen Davison, Gerry Drew, Bernard Edwards, Madison Geer, Alex Gerst, Tari Gerst, Dan Gerst, Jonathan Gerst, Ashley Gerst, Ann Gleason, Susan Hearn, Fred Herres, Pam Herres, Melinda Holland, Ginger Hollingsworth-Cox, Diana Jackson, Will Kallberg, Judy Lindsey, Becky McCall, Susan McDade, Dale McEntire, Tom McNaney, Patti Miles-Cooner, Suzanne Monroe, Sam Oliver, Margaret Parker, Jerry Pospisil, Paul Rosen, Roe Sprouls, Priscilla Yeager, and Will Barclift.
To complement the member exhibit, TACS features a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln by acclaimed Mississippi folk artist and “doctor of dots” Elayne Goodman. The painting is on loan from the collection of Jon and Kerry Austin.
TACS thanks Twisted Fork, a Culinary Storyteller Dedicated to Local Farms and Artisan Value Added Products, for the reception food. Guests enjoyed curated small bites blending the best of seasonal foods from neighboring farms and purveyors, including the Mill Spring Farm Store. Featured local farms included Anson Mills, Deer Valley Farm Smoked Trout, Hickory Nut Gap, Looking Glass Creamery, Sandy Bee Mine Honey, the Old Mule Company, Piece O’ Cake, and Tryon Mountain Farms.