The Mountaineer

January 30, 2023

A new exhibit opening at the Haywood County Arts Council Handmade Gallery in February debuts the work of 12 local artists who will be highlighted as featured artists each month of the year in 2023.

An opening reception will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, with harp music by Tina Morgan.

Each year, the arts council has a random drawing among its artist members to select monthly featured artists.

“This is HCAC’s first featured artist group exhibit,” said Lauren A. Medford, Handmade Gallery manager. The 2023 featured artists displayed during the February exhibit are:

• Dori Settles, Glass: “My current work explores both nature and texture. I enjoy painting and have developed a process layering powdered glass which is then fired at different temperatures to create dimensional glass paintings.”

• Janet Steinke, Fiber: “I am a fiber artist specializing in quilting who enjoys depicting animals and landscape scenes using my long arm to do extensive thread painting.”

• Rose Hardesty, Clay: “My work seeks to marry seemingly disparate elements of the art and craft world, blurring the line between high and low craft. A deep love for found materials, a passion for printmaking, utilization of local clay materials and atmospheric firings are cornerstones in my practice.”

• Wanda Ann Kinnaman, Mixed-Media: “My medium of digital art allows me to discover and experiment by combining the beauty of light through traditional mediums and then pushing the imagery further into the infinite digital abyss.”

• Christine Schlageter, Paint: “I am self-taught and specialize in acrylics on canvas. Some of my favorite subjects are animals and florals, but also machinery and architecture.”

• Jerry M. Stuart, Paint: “My work is acrylic on canvas reflecting the great surroundings. From mountains, landscapes, cows and dogs captured in photos for information and composition. My impressionistic style captures the moment.”

• Nory Lopez, Paint: “Although portraiture of old classic Hollywood is my forte I am looking forward to expanding my painting subjects. I use airbrush when painting faces but am incorporating this technique in my landscapes and in old vintage cars.”

• Lisa Conard, Clay: “I find clay to be absolutely captivating. The centering, forming, drying and firing really tell the story of our own lives. I draw inspiration from nature, other creators and makers.”

• Haidee Wilson, Paint: “The common thread throughout my figurative and landscape paintings are color, shape and light. Catalysts to these creative expressions are my childhood memories, day-to-day living in France, paying attention to the culture of food, art and classical music. ”

• Char Avrunin, Paint: “I am an award-winning artist who follows her Creator in developing oil portraits on canvas and flame painting on copper.”

• Cayce Moyer, Mixed Media: “I am constantly exploring new media and styles with the ever-evolving projects I take on. My artwork includes drawing, painting, illustration, comic book production, graphic design, set and prop painting for live theater and television, sculpture and murals.”

• Nancy Gilbert, Colored Pencils: “Realism keeps me grounded. With most of my work being Intuitive — using still life settings helps me to practice seeing the true nature of objects. Both are fantastic ways to exercise the brain and have loads of fun.”

The exhibit runs through Feb. 27. The Haywood Handmade Gallery, located at 86 N. Main St., Waynesville, is open seven days a week from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Sundays. www.haywoodarts.org.