Gallery 86: Piercing the Mundane: The Women of NoHa

August 29-September 22

Artist Reception: September 7, 6-9pm, FREE

Six women artists, all of whom reside in the northern half of Haywood County, have banded together and dubbed themselves, “the Women of NoHa” (North Haywood). The artists are: Suzanne Gernandt, textiles; Kaaren Stoner, clay; Susan Livengood, mixed media; Caryl Brt, wood; Kim Thompson, sterling silver and stone; and, Sheree White Sorrells, textiles.

In March the group met and conceived of a gallery show dealing with the sources of their inspiration, the issues that concern them, and the natural materials that often show up in their work. The result is - piercing the mundane – an attempt to bring to light that which is often overlooked.

A conservative estimate of their combined years working in the art and craft industry totals 170. An impressive number of years spent exploring what the natural and the man-made world have to offer and putting each artist’s individual twist on the resulting artwork.

Kim Thompson, jewelry artist, perhaps says it best:  “I am continually paring down initial concepts. The best designs reveal themselves on their own when I, and my hands, are simply tools through which the process unfolds.” The theme of “getting out of the way” shows up in writings by each of the artists.

Come and meet the artists and hear their stories. On Saturday, September 8 Gallery 86 will be open for the “Saturday Stroll” from 11am-3pm. Artists will also be in the gallery to meet and greet during the stroll.