Guide to Galleries

High Country guide to galleries

BY MAKAELAH WALTERS

The fall is a special season in the High Country, ushering in a fresh color scheme and renewed appreciation for the mountains every year. As football season kicks off, students return to their dorm rooms and the mountains swap lush summer greens for bright yellow, rich red and orange and warm browns.

Autumn breathes a newer, cooler creative life into the region. Inspired by the transition, artists take to their medium to capture the new season.

The High Country draws artists from across the nation who sell their work in the regions many galleries, some of which specialize in regional arts and others who host artists of varying disciplines.

Showcasing a number of styles in an array of mediums and tones, art galleries in the High Country are worth a trek up or down the mountain.

ANVIL ARTS SCULPTURE GARDEN AND GALLERY

Hwy 221 / 9600

Linville Falls Highway

Linville Falls (828) 765-6226 www.studiosculpture.com

Anvil Arts Sculpture Garden & Gallery: Art & Nature in a unique arts destination offering visitors the opportunity to experience sculpture in an outdoor garden area and in the interior gallery. Anvil Arts is also the working studio of sculptor Bill Brown. Explore, experience and collect sculptural works created by artists from the Southeast. Large outdoor sculpture and small scale sculpture in metal, glass, clay and stone, the gallery also features paintings on panel and canvas. Open Thursdays — Saturdays from 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. and Sundays noon- 5 p.m. Other times call ahead or by appointment.

THE ART CELLAR

920 Shawneehaw Lane,

Banner Elk (828) 898-5175

Artcellaronline.com

A High Country Arts destination for over 25 years, featuring the area’s finest artists. With works ranging from traditional to contemporary, The Art Cellar is proud to exhibit original paint, pottery, glass and more. Visit The Art Cellar website to view a Show Schedule. The Art Cellar Gallery is open to visitors Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE AT EDGEWOOD COTTAGE

Main Street & Ginny Stevens Lane Blowing Rock www.artistsatedgewood.org

ASHE COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL

303 School Ave,

West Jefferson (336) 846-2787 https://www.ashecountyarts.org/

The Ashe County Arts Council and Arts Center is located in a beautiful stone building constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s. The Arts Center also boasts a gallery shop that sells the work of over 100 artists and crafts artisans. The Ashe Arts Center is also the site of concerts, literary events, meetings, and rentals and is even the polling place for West Jefferson. For more information about this unique art space, visit https://www.ashecountyarts.org/.

BE ARTISTS GALLERY

The Historic Banner Elk School 185 Azalea Circle,

SEE GALLERIES ON PAGE 125

PHOTO BY ANDREW COLE Jack and Denise Lawless enjoy ‘The Brothers Shoemaker’ exhibition on the display at the Ashe County Arts Council.

GALLERIES

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 124

Banner Elk (828) 898-6767 beartistsgallery.com

Stop by this gallery and call (or text) the number on the sign outside—we will promptly let you in. We will be open Thursday – Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment.

Schedule a private appointment by emailing art@beartistsgallery.com, or calling (828) 898-6767. Please check BEartistsgallery.com for scheduling updates and upcoming events.

BLOWING ROCK ART & HISTORY MUSEUM

159 Ginny Stevens Lane,

Blowing Rock (828) 295-9099 www.blowingrockmuseum.org

The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum is open Tues- Sat, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Programming and events are now being offered digitally through BRAHM at Home at https://www.blowingrockmuseum.org/athome.

Visitors can visit the gallery’s website and follow @brmuseum on social media to view a variety of videos, artist interviews, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, art lessons geared towards youth and more.

The gallery’s gift shop is open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.

BRAHM is a hub of artistry and entertainment in the heart of the High Country. The museum seeks to provide cultural enrichment to the High Country communities by promoting the arts and Southern Appalachian heritage and history through educational programs, exhibitions, activities and permanent collections.

See a full list of gallery events online at https://www.blowingrockmuseum.org/ calendar.

BLOWING ROCK FRAMEWORKS & GALLERY

7539 Valley Blvd.,

Blowing Rock (828) 295-0041 www.blowingrockgalleries.com

On Instagram and Facebook: @brframeworks

Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery is open for the full business hours: Monday — Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by to see work from newly added artists.

Please contact the gallery with any questions or concerns via phone at (828) 295-0041 or email brframeworks@ gmail.com. Find them on social media with the handle @brframeworks.

BLUE RIDGE ARTISAN CENTER

201 W. Main Street, Wilkesboro

SEE GALLERIES ON PAGE 126

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 125

(336) 990-9500 blueridgeartisancenter.org

The Blue Ridge Artisan Center sends guests on a journey of discovery and adventure that defines the indomitable spirit of the people of Northwest North Carolina, where art is created and music is made.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Closed Sundays and Mondays.

BLUE RIDGE ARTSPACE

377 Shadowline Drive,

Boone (828) 264-1789 www.watauga-arts.com

The Blue Ridge ArtSpace is the main office for the Watauga Arts Council and is a community space for art related groups to meet and practice, as well as a space for classes and instruction.

Though the Blue Ridge ArtSpace is not currently serving as a gallery, you can still call to pick up info about local art events and programs put on by the arts council.

For additional information, visit the Blue Ridge ArtSpace/Watauga County Arts Council’s website at www.wataugaarts.org, subscribe to its newsletter to receive monthly updates and follow the their social media at Watauga-Arts on FB and Instagram.

BOLICK AND TRADITIONS POTTERY

1155 Main Street,

Blowing Rock (828) 295-6128 www.bolickandtraditionspottery.com

Bolick and Traditions Pottery’s business hours are 10 a.m to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Sunday 1 to 6 p.m.

The gallery unites three potters from the Owens family: Original Owens Pottery, established in 1938, now owned by Boyd Owens. Bolick Pottery, owned by Glenn and Lula Owens Bolick, who are long time potters of the High Country; and 2018 recipients of the N.C. Heritage Awards.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Artist Kent Paulette paints live while guest dine at Sorrento’s in Banner Elk.

Traditions Pottery, Michael and Janet Calhoun of Blowing Rock. Janet was recently awarded the 2020 “In These Hills, Folk and Traditional Arts, Master Artist Award” through South Arts.

Other potters include Sue Salvaterra of Weaverville, McWhirter Pottery of Burnsville, and Ten Hands Pottery of Boone.’

CARLTON GALLERY

10360 Hwy 105 S.,

Banner Elk (828) 963-4288 www.carltongallery.com

This gallery is located 10 miles south of Boone, 7 miles north of Linville or Banner Elk and 8 miles from Blowing Rock at 10360 Hwy 105 South in the Grandfather Mountain community. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Visit Carlton Gallery’s website, www. carltongallery.com to view artwork, artist information or workshops.

CROSSNORE FINE ARTS GALLERY

205 Johnson Lane,

Crossnore (828) 733-3144 www.crossnore.org/fine-arts-gallery

The Crossnore Fine Arts Gallery represents regional painters, sculptors and fine craft persons. A portion of all proceeds benefit the children of Crossnore School and Children’s Home.

Gallery hours are from Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m .

CROWN GALLERY

1153 Main Street,

Blowing Rock (828) 818-0008 crowngalleryusa.com

Crown Gallery is proud to represent exceptional local, regional and nationally acclaimed artists, each offering a unique style. The gallery has been designed with a relaxed atmosphere to comfortably view the ever-changing collection.

Gallery owners, James Selby Rue and Carolyn Crocker-Rue, bring many years of combined experience in the field of art to their roles as curators of original fine art by an exceptional roster of mid-career professional artists.

James studied at the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee, The American Academy of Art in Chicago and received an MFA and business degree in Boston. He taught classes and owned a successful advertising and product design agency with offices in Chicago, Boston and Miami for more than 40 years.

Carolyn is an oil painter specializing in the landscape. Her work has been consistently represented in national level galleries for the last 20-plus years and has earned a loyal following in North America, Mexico, Great Britain and Australia.

Together they continue to develop innovative fine art products, such as the RUE Signature Wall Easel, that are used by artists around the world.

Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday Noon — 4 p.m.

DOE RIDGE POTTERY

585 W. King Street #D,

Boone (828) 264-1127 www.doeridgepottery.homestead.com

Doe Ridge Pottery Gallery is the only Gallery in the High Country that sells exclusively handmade pottery from a collection of artists from our region. Regular potters represent some of the best from Watauga, Avery and Ashe Counties. You will find a wonderful selection of functional ware and display pieces including a beautiful collection of lamps and unique one of a kind hand-carved pieces by Bob Meier.

The gallery also features a working studio on site where most days folks in the back are preparing work to put into kilns.

Hours are 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12-5 p.m. on Sunday.

FLORENCE THOMAS ART SCHOOL AND GALLERY

10 S Jefferson Ave,

West Jefferson (336) 846-3827 www.florenceartschool.org

Florence Thomas Art School is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. In-person workshops in fine arts and heritage crafts are offered throughout the year. Visitors can see monthly art exhibits at the school.

HANDS GALLERY

543 W King Street, Boone (828) 262-1970 www.handsgallery.org Any trip to the high country is incom-

SEE GALLERIES ON PAGE 128

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 126

plete without stopping at Hands gallery. Located at 543 West King Street, this gallery represents thirty or more local artists, each showing their unique creative process. The selection of mediums is the best in town. For over 50 years, the gallery’s group of core artists work and will gladly help find visitors that perfect gift. All of the artists are happy to share about their particular art form, and as professional artists, can talk broadly about all the art featured.

Hands Gallery, open 45 years, offers a selection of jewelry, fiber, baskets, pottery, photos, gourds, woodblock prints, soaps, mosaics, stained glass, wrought iron, wooden bowls, furniture and many other handcrafted items. Hands Gallery is open every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

JONES HOUSE CULTURAL CENTER

604 W. King Street,

Boone (828) 268-6280 www.joneshouse.org

Due to COVID-19, the Jones House is temporarily closed until further notice. When the Jones House is open, a new artist or organization will present their work each month in the Mazie Jones Gallery and be featured in the monthly First Friday Art Crawl reception. Schedule and more information on the Mazie Jones Gallery, visit the Jones House online.

When open, the Jones House gallery hours are from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

KING STREET ART COLLECTIVE

585 West King Street, (828) 964-7233 www.watauga-arts.org

Operated by the Watauga Art’s Council, the King Street Art Collective located in downtown Boone is a new gallery and interactive art space that features changing exhibits and activities celebrating the arts. For an upcoming list of events check out the Watauga Arts Council website at www. watauga-arts.org, or following Watauga-

MAIN STREET GALLERY

Blowing Rock (828) 295-7839 mainstreetgalleryinbr.com

Main Street Gallery in Blowing Rock has been forced to close after 38 years in a prime location on Main Street as our building has sold. They are still together as a group and can be reached at mainstreetgalleryinbr.com. They are looking for a new home in Blowing Rock and look forward to hosting guests in the future.

MARTIN HOUSE GALLERY

1098 Main Street,

Blowing Rock (336) 508-2828 www.martinhousegallery.com

Martin house gallery is located in the historic Martin House on Main Street in Blowing Rock. It offers free local delivery and installation as well as after-hour showings. Visit the Martin House Gallery website to see featured artists and available work. Find them on Facebook and Instagram @martinhousegallery or email at martinhousegallery@gmail.com. Martin House Gallery is open Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by request during the week. For after hours showings call (336) 508-2828.

R.T. MORGAN ART GALLERY AND GLASS BY CAMILLE

120 N. Jefferson Ave.,

West Jefferson (336) 246-3328/(336) 977-8972 www.rtmorgangallery.com

Enjoy fine art in a small town setting.

Internationally known artist/co-owner R.T. Morgan is a diverse artis, working to incorporate various materials and sales into stainless steel sculptures and wall hangings for outdoors and interiors, ranging from 2-12 feet. R.T. is also an accomplished stone sculptor in alabaster, black alberene and marble. He is known for his colorful paintings of birches and local scenes from abstract to realistic.

The gallery also houses a framing business in which Morgan frames all his work and serves the public.

This year, R.T. is sharing his talent and knowledge of painting by giving painting lessons, limited to two people. Materials included.

Call for an appointment to create your own work of art.

R.T. and Camille are celebrating 34 years as professional artists. Commissions are accepted — “if we don’t have it, we can make it.” Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The gallery is closed Wednesdays and Sundays. Call for private viewings anytime. Visit the gallery’s Facebook at www.facebook.com/rtmorganartgallery.

NTHº GALLERY

683 W. King Street,

Boone (828) 919-6919 www.nthdegreegallery.com

The Nthº Gallery and Studios is a not-for-profit, member and donation-supported art venue serving as an incubator for emerging and established artists in the Boone area.

Currently, the Nthº Gallery is closed until further notice as a precautionary measure.

SALLY NOONEY GALLERY

7143 N.C.-194, Banner Elk (828) 963-7347 www.sallynooney.com

Sally Nooney Gallery is full of one of a kind glass, paintings, jewelry and other treasures, and Nooney continues to create new items every day.

Follow her Facebook page for new images and frequent updates.

Further inquiries and commissions can be discussed by calling the gallery.

Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and from noon until 5 p.m. on Sunday.

STUDIO 140 AT SORRENTO’S

140 Azalea Circle,

Banner Elk (828) 898-5214 www.facebook.com/studio140

Studio 140 at Sorrento’s features large paintings by artist Kent Paulette. As they enter the gallery, visitors will see paintings of animals that once roamed the area such as elk and wolves.

They might hear live music coming from the next room which is dedicated to pop art portraits of famous musicians.

The upstairs gallery features Paulette’s paintings of dancing female figures and abstract mountain landscapes.

The main gallery has a section dedicated to horses. A 6-foot-tall portrait of a horse with thick impasto texture hangs next to paintings of wild horses running free in a Cubist style.

In another section, visitors will see local scenes from the Blue Ridge Parkway along with deer and bears. There’s also a gallery space dedicated to Paulette’s colorful op art inspired paintings based on geometric patterns.

Paulette is a self-taught artist who uses uninhibited, energetic brushstrokes to create paintings that leap off the canvas, alive with color, texture and movement. His work can be viewed online at www. kentpaulette.com. Paulette also commissions custom pet portraits. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 5-10 p.m.

TURCHIN CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS

423 W. King Street, Boone (828) 262-3017 www.tcva.org

The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, located on King Street in Boone, has six galleries with changing contemporary art exhibitions and is the largest facility of its kind in the region. Admission is free.

For more information about exhibitions and programs, visit tcva.org or call (828) 262-3017.

THE WILKES ART GALLERY

913 C Street, North Wilkesboro (336) 667-2841

Wilkesartgallery.org

The Wilkes Art Gallery is a nonprofit arts center that believes art enriches individuals and the community alike. WAG offers a variety of youth and adult classes, workshops and outreach projects. Gallery exhibitions rotate throughout the year including two juried exhibits and Youth Art Month. We are happy to host over 50 local artist and craftsman in our gift shop. The gallery is Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.