Flat Rock Playhouse Forms Partnership with InspiredArts to present the

Flat Rock Playhouse Craft Show
May 7-9, 2010

(Mother's Day Weekend)

Expanding its tradition of bringing quality art to Western North Carolina, Flat Rock Playhouse is proud to partner with InspiredArts to stage the first Flat Rock Playhouse Craft Show. InspiredArts is a collective of craft artists of the highest caliber who want to share their passion and artistry by collaborating with other local and regional artists.

Dates and Times of Show
Friday, May 7: 6:00pm-8:00pm   Ticketed reception and first viewing of craft

Saturday, May 8: 10:00 am-5:00 pm:   Open to the public - Admission fee $3.00

Sunday, May 9: 12:00 pm-4:00 pm: Open to the public - Admission fee $3.00

The Flat Rock Playhouse Craft Show will be located indoors at the YouTheatre Education Center and staged like a retail fine craft gallery. The show will feature a mix of fine craftsmanship: basketry, ceramics, fiber decorative, fiber wearable, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, photography, printmaking, sculpture, wood.

InspiredArts-A Contemporary Fine Craft Guild:
In the summer of 2008 InspiredArts was born in Henderson County. It was the brain child of Andrea Stern, a Flat Rock fiber artist who wanted to bring together a small group of craft artists for the purpose of promoting fine craft in this area. Also of importance was the help and support that such a group could lend to each artist as they move forward in their journey. Presently, InspiredArts has ten crafters who meet monthly to network and share artistic triumphs.

Meet some of the members of InspiredArts:

Tamsin Allpress-Ceramics

Tamsin's formative years in Africa, driving across immense landscapes, camping among the wildlife, running barefoot down paths of packed red earth perhaps inevitably set Nature at the center of her creativity. Later, living in Europe and traveling widely, she added sophistication and free thinking to her experience and creative evolution. Combining Nature's many elements into unique forms of expression is her passion, whether in the studio, or working with living elements on innovative garden design. No one trick pony, in her professional life creative thought is at the heart of the travel itineraries she designs for clients all over the country.

Penny Baugh-Encrusted Bead Artist

"My art journey has brought me to the magical world of contemporary bead art. Using tiny seed beads I utilize encrusted beading to create abstract images, jewelry, sculptured beading and beaded figures. My work reflects a quiet meditation of shapes and shadows. Through my sculptured beading I give a common shape new and unusual beauty. Keeping myself open to inspiration each day is an integral part of my artistic life."

Elynn Bernstein-Felting Artist

"IT'S FUNNY BUT NO MATTER WHAT MEDIUM I USE I ALWAYS SHOW UP"

"My art career began as a painter a long time ago.  Now I am "painting" with dyes, wool and different fibers in order to express myself. I am a felter and felting is a labor of love. It is a very physically demanding activity but at the same time can be very meditative as you are laying down thousands of wispy fibers that eventually morph into felt.

Felting began after I purchased a few sheep for my hobby farm and realized they might be able to earn their keep. I started using their wool to create hats. Since then I have discovered the wonderful feel and joy of using luxury fibers and silk to create my designs and am off and running or should I say felting."

Mary Beth Jung-Ganser-Fiber and Woven Beaded Jewelry Artist

"I've always been involved in creative ventures. As a food writer, I've spent my entire working career creating recipes and styling food for photography. Now, I've expanded that urge to create by designing wearable pieces of art. Combining my love of all things fiber and basic jewelry making techniques, I weave glitzy bracelets and necklaces using a needle and thread, and add embellishments to my hand woven scarves.

At this stage of my artistic career I'm experimenting with a variety of techniques and materials. Nothing makes me happier than working with my hands to create pleasing textures using fiber of all kinds, beads and recycled embellishments. My work is always evolving. I am definitely a work in progress!"

Sandra Macklem-Digital Photography

"My interest in digital photography developed when I used photographs of my gardens as reference material for my watercolor paintings. I wanted to capture the drama of light and shadow, color, and motion in those paintings. I learned that my digital images were more interesting and challenging to me, although I still seek the same elements and drama that I did while composing my paintings. Digital photography allows me more freedom and flexibility to create images of my favorite subjects: nature and gardens, reflections, travel, and dramatic lighting and shadows."

Ruth Obolensky-Button Jewelry

"Color, Shape and RECYCLING provide inspiration for my design work. For a length of time, I worked with beads, but find designing with buttons more challenging. American Folk Gallery in Asheville, sells my work."

Sharon Richmond-Contemporary Rug Hooking

Sharon Richmond, Hendersonville, NC, discovered hooked rugs at a quilt show in Chicago, IL and fell in love with the warm and colorful art.  She needed rugs for the floors in her new home and found an art where she could do her own thing.

Sharon became certified Pearl McGown Teacher in 2000 and has been hooking rugs for 16 years.  She has studied rug hooking with acclaimed teachers such as Claire DeRoos, Diane Stoffel, Gail Dufresne and Elizabeth Black.

Sharon developed a love of color from taking watercolor classes from several well-known artists and taking dye classes through the national McGown guild.  Her favorite pastime is dyeing wool and designing geometric patterns.

She teaches workshops throughout the southeast and is active in the Tarheel Ruggers in Hendersonville and the Merrie Mountain Hookers in Asheville.  Sharon demonstrates and sells rugs at the Biltmore Estate, NC State Fair and other local festivals.

Andrea Stern-Fiber Artist

"I am inspired by things that are visually beautiful. To me that means simple shapes, clean lines, sculptural forms, beautiful textures, and complex colors. Since I am a fiber artist I love pieces that are not only visually beautiful but are also beautifully executed and feel wonderful to touch. I work in wool and silk and hand dye all of my fabrics. In silk I produce scarves and fabrics mostly in the shibori technique but I also work in other surface design techniques. In wool I cut my hand dyed fabric into strips and hand hook pillows, pin cushions, and rugs. I have been a fiber artist for 15 years and cannot imagine doing anything else."

Below is a sample of the juried artists whose work will be available during the show:

Susan Barrett - Ceramics
Susan Barrett Studios
www.susanbarrettstudios.com
susanbarrett@live.com

"My work explores the primitive and mysterious act of creativity. Stripping away all the trappings of the modern world, I return to the basic elements of fire, earth, water and air.

The relation of surface and form is important in each of my one-of-a-kind vessels. Universal, earth-inspired forms are combined with surface imagery that reflects the desire of nature to organize energy into patterns. These patterns are intended to evoke images of an evolving planet. The process is complicated and not entirely controllable, therefore each piece achieves a uniqueness that is impossible to duplicate."

Ralph Berger - Metal Sculpture
rjbalchemist@gmail.com
http://rjbalchemist.blogspot.com

"I believe the term negative usually connotes something bad, less than, or unfavorable. With reference to my art and a good chunk of life experience, negative can become beneficial. How we handle difficult times in our lives reflects on individuals and societies in total.

My sculptures are a study of the relationship between positive and negative space, giving equal significance to both.

For several years I have been using a plasma cutter and mig welder to create geometrical designs. Working with metal gives me a great deal of pleasure and allows me to create on either small or large scales. My original designs are cut from either found metal objects or steel plate. The metal sculptures are purchased by homeowners, private businesses and large hospitals."

Kay Bonitz - Jewelry Maker
Shimmer and Shine
www.craftguild.org/kaybonitz
bonitzk@bellsouth.net

With no specific objective for years I have been collecting beads, buttons, shells, and other small shiny and beautiful objects. They spoke to me as individual things. At some point they became a chorus. Transforming them into wearable beadwork has been challenging, stimulating and satisfying.

My process employs an old Native American stitch called peyote. It is hand held, requiring nothing more than needle, thread, and beads. A section of peyote stitch creates a flexible foundation for me to embellish with faceted gemstones, vintage elements, or natural materials such as shells and pearls. The piece is complete when it is simple and complex, peaceful and exciting, classic but new. As the wearer moves, the beadwork moves, catching the light. When I watch people looking at my work and I see pleasure on their face, and their moth making a little "O," I am thrilled. Beadwork is my delight.

Liz Spear - Fiber Artist
lizspearhandwoven.com
lizspear@haywood.main.nc.uc

Liz Spear has been working with her hands since 1978, and is now a full-time craftsperson in western North Carolina. She is primarily a weaver of cloth and a maker of fine garments and accessories, as well as a line of exhibition-worthy coats, incorporating other fiber artists' cloth and colors. Teaching and demonstrating for North Carolina's craft schools and craft organizations are an important part of her continuing to master her craft. Liz is a member of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild, Piedmont Craftsmen and Carolina Designer Craftsmen, and has taught at Penland, Arrowmont, John C. Campbell Schools of Craft, Appalachian Center for Craft and Haywood Community College's Professional Crafts Fiber program.