Yarn for a purpose!

Something new in Fiber Arts has recently started to appear all over the world, and Hickory Museum of Art will be one of the next locations. This is Yarn Bombing.

Our North Carolina area has a long history with the Fiber Arts, and shopHMA has many artists who knit, crochet, weave, and sew. Unfortunately, these crafts are often forgotten or overlooked elsewhere despite the many community connections that they represent. From quilting circles to knitting groups, Fiber Arts has a strong connection with socialization. Many of these groups also provide a great number of items for charities including military, children in need and families having a hard time.

Yarn Bombing was once a covert street art done in the dark of night to hide from authorities while decorating public spaces that would otherwise have been overlooked. This is done by artfully wrapping a public object in yarn. Often these are knit or crochet pieces made ahead of time and placed on the object on a set date. In recent years this activity has grown into a public chance for communities to come together and bring awareness for a specific cause or area.

On June 10^th, International Knit in Public Day the community, fiber artist and neighbors alike are invited to help HMA make a portion of the SALT Block into a piece of artwork.  In partnership with Resource Warehouse, individuals of all ages will be able to make our space colorful and as creative as our community itself is. This work will remain on display through June 19^th, before being removed and the “unclaimed" yarn and other reusable materials will be donated to organizations for those in need or sent to benefit others in community.

This is a chance to remind people that Art can bring people together.  It can be a positive force in a community, not only for the aesthetics but for connections, filling needs of others, and education. We hope that you will be able to join us or this event.  You can also see more about this event on our Facebook page HERE.

New: Artist Registry

It is part of the Museum’s mission to support local artists. One way we do this is to connect the community and the area’s many amazing artists through offering some of their work in our shopHMA. That way, you can not only enjoy seeing their work, you can also take pieces of local art home with you even as you too support the creative livelihood of those artists.

You will have noticed the results of our recent physical renovations of shopHMA. However, it is not just the looks of shopHMA that have been enhanced in our continuing support of local artists, because now we are launching an online Artist Registry for the artists whose works are available for purchase in our shop. Through this Artist Registry, we are pleased to be able to tell you a little bit more about some of the artists.

The artists were invited to share interesting bits about themselves and their art, and we are now sharing this information with you. To see the Registry, please CLICK HERE. We will be continuing to update the list regularly, so keep checking back! And then come to shopHMA and make your selections from among the irresistible pieces on offer.

Varian Swieter

Varian creates both functional and decorative ceramic art.  The creator of ‘Get A Grip Stoneware™’ a unique conversation starter for any beverage you choose, finger divots are scattered over the surface giving the user a grip on the tumbler or mug.  Stoneware clay and food safe glazes are used to insure the functional ware is food safe, dishwasher safe, and can be used in the oven or microwave.

Varian also constructs free standing sculptures along with sculptures that hang on a wall.  Terracotta clay is used for sculptures and pendants, which remains porous, so you can put essential oils directly on the clay using it as a passive diffuser.

Candy Pegram

Based out of Wilmington, NC, this North Carolina Native has placed her own stamp an Southern Folk Art with her use or re purposed wood and discarded paints when she brings to life her stylized "critters" household objects and characters. With her hold colors and line use the feel of Pop Art meets Southern Folk Art in a creative and fun way that is often softened by the use of layers and distressing of the surface. 

While her subject matter may vary it takes one back to ones youth in a way that is meant to make one smile. 

Denny Maloney

“Imaging making a sand painting with colored glass particles. That is what you are seeing in the copper enamel artwork of Denny Maloney. The colored glass is carefully placed on prepared copper surfaces and fired in a kiln until it melts onto the copper. [It can then be] used by itself for ornaments on trees and windows or applied to aluminum backing for garden art, just like the antique advertising signs, street markers, and house numbers of days gone by. However, these signs were enamel, which is glass fired on steel. Copper allows me to use skin tones impossible to get with steel. But like the steel signs, the sun and weather rarely affect [the work] and rain runs off the glass layer on the copper. I especially like to apply my copper enamel art to antique ceiling tins, old wooden clock cases, old enamel pot lids, old wood, and fired tin.”

Connections

Art comes from many places and has many purposes. For the Artists at Connections, this is very true. From bowls and plates, to holiday decorations such as angels and adorable reindeer, their special works of art have a charm and story for each person to see.

              

  “Connections promotes and provides opportunities for adults with mental illness in the Catawba Valley region to lead meaningful and productive lives of their choice in the community.”

Connections’ goal is shown in the amazing ceramic art created within their organization. The members use their skills and creativity to make one-of-a-kind pieces with unique flair. In a region that is strongly influenced by ceramic and folk traditions, Connections’ wonderful craftsmen and women have taken their surrounding influences and made something that is even more special.

  

Not only do the members make amazing pieces, they also have the opportunity to sell their artwork at “Shop HMA” as well as other locations. Their greatest opportunity, however, is their upcoming fundraiser. For the fundraiser, members produce artwork including bowls that will be sold and include a homemade chili lunch complete with all the fixings. This event will be held December 7th from 11-1:30 at Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ in Conover NC. Tickets are $15 and include both the meal and a piece of artwork.

For more information about Connections  and the upcoming fundraiser, contact 828-466-0030 or follow them on Facebook at:  cvbhconnections. 

Leslie Hamlin

         Each artist creates art for a personal and individual purpose. Some may use their art for expression or to make a statement about themselves or their culture and society. Others use their talent to create works simply for the enjoyment or pleasure of those who experience it. Still others create for themselves, to fill a hole, bring themselves joy, contentment, release; their art becomes an outlet and a place to be with oneself. While it is not uncommon for artists to create their works for multiple reasons, Leslie Hamlin creates her art chiefly to bring peace and calm into her life, to balance the otherwise hectic experience of living a farmer’s life near Vale, NC.

          A self-taught artist, Leslie creates works that vary from handcrafted jewelry and hand-bound books to her paintings on reclaimed wood, in addition to her felted works that are available in the HMA Galleria. The variety of her art is due to her tendency to work with whatever art form “happen[s] to strike [her] in the moment,” a reflection of her purpose in creating art- to bring peace and calm to her life, and to organically create as she sees fit.

            In her felted pieces in particular, the wool is locally sourced as frequently as is possible, while the “accessories” of the figurines are either salvaged or hand-crafted by Leslie herself. Additionally, her felt dolls are needle-felted and sculpted, giving each one a unique character and personality, which in turn serves to illustrate the singular creativity that stems from the creation of art for the sake of art. 

Reilly Yount

Born in Hickory, and Attending from W.C.U. in Art education Rielly Yount worked teaching art in Newton-Conover schools for more then 30 years.

His glass has evolved in his 20 years of working with it starting with stained glass, and after retirement he is now working with fused glass.

He pays close attention to his use of different types of glass and colors. This results in beautiful patterns and use of line in his work.

Audrey Swan

While North Carolina as a whole has a fine textile tradition, it also has strong roots in folk art or primitive art. These are often traditions that are rooted in the past or the artists memories while commonly created with unusual materials that may have been found in everyday life.

These are some of the ideas that one thinks about when you see the hand hooked rugs created by Audrey Swan. These lovely rugs are created from textiles, often old clothing that has been deconstructed and reused into an art form that has a long tradition in and of itself. 

Audrey has been making these beautiful one of a kind rugs for 10 years and has recently started to share them with us in the Hickory Museum of Art Galleria. They each show the love that has gone into each piece, and would make a wonderful addition to any home.

Tony Atkin

Wood working comes in many forms, though one fact it that it has the ability to show form with a natural aesthetic. Tony Atkin has done just this with his wood pieces that are found in the HMA Galleria. From fine crafted wood walking sticks to creative and unique “knot birds”.

Tony has been working with wood for forty years though has also worked in a number of other materials including glass and other natural materials. The one thing that stands out most about the pieces here would be their natural feel. They all “Bring out what is there to start with” with simple embellishments that add to the from the earth effect rather than distract. These natural forms from about when “happenstance” meets creativity.

So from functional walking sticks to one of kind wooden creatures these being a bit of nature into the home.

Nov 21 Open House

The Holidays are here, and The Galleria will start to show the season. What better way to share holiday spirit then finding that special gift for a loved one. While this blog is about showcasing one artist at time, this time of year is so full of creativity and art that why stop at only one.

The Hickory Museum of Art will be offering an Open House to showcase our artists and all of their special abilities.
From mugs and ceramic rain makers to jewelry and fashion there will be see and speak with each of the artists about.

Not to mention the musical skills of Casey Clark will be live. 

Quilts by Joan Barnes

 Quilting is an often under appropriated art form. In a day and age of mass-production Joan Barnes quilts remind us of craftsmanship and traditions of a different time. These quilts offer not only warmth of body but also soul. A hand made quilt is a testament of love, along with skill and vision.  Each piece of fabric cut and stitched to be placed just so, with layers to provide warmth and comfort.

Joan Barnes has a collection of styles from traditional to more contemporary. Each is made to last and become the next family treasure for those that fall in love with them.

The Wooden Button

"It all started as a love for fabric. "  That is one thing that shows in all of Audrey Joyce's work. Her fun and whimsical designs have a sense of love being made into each piece. "I love making things that bring joy to others..."

Audrey started her craft while living on the east coast only a short drive from Wrightsville Beach, only having moved to the Granite Falls area 3 years ago. Her family is a big part of her life and inspiration for you work.

"We couldn't afford much as kids so I began by making my own doll clothes. 

My family says I got my crafty gene from my great grandma Spooner. My Mom and Grandma made me cloths and my first pageant dress."  How her work ranges from plush owls to small bags and cup cozies. Each makes a bit of color in someones day.

Dee's Designs

                                                                                                    In 1986 Michael and Cornelia Allman open their Fine Jewelry Store in downtown Conover within the former Post Office Building. Over the years they found an opening in the market for more unique and affordable pieces. From this Dee's Designs was born. In 2009 Dee's Designs started offering jewelry handcrafted from vintage and estate jewelry, coins, and even flatware. Often these pieces of one of a kind wearable art are made with a special person in mind. Even spoons, forks and old coins become amazing treasures for someone that likes a personal touch while still affordable.

Belinda Wilfong

Pottery Artist

After thirty years of teaching, Belinda retired and found herself drawn to taking lessons at Rising Sun in Lincolnton, NC.  This was to be an endeavor of maintaining her spirit of creativity.  Over a period of several years Belinda began getting requests for birdhouses, welcome signs, platters, dish sets, etc.  Now, most of the pieces Belinda produces are special order items from schools, companies and individuals.

Belinda began her pottery making as a fun venture; its still is and has the added joy of a way to give back to a community that has given so much of them.

Her work is found at the Hickory Museum of Art

Blue Ridge Jewels

Sally A. Enright

" Channeling the 60's, and my love of colors, I started tie dying these 100% silk scarves. (11" x 60") Silk scarves are cool in the summer and warm in the winter and a percent accent piece. Each scarf is washed thoroughly to set the colors and each is one of a kind. I am constantly surprised and, invariably, pleased with the results. What fun to see the colors around you and transfer them to wearable art."


These lovely gems can be found at the Hickory Museum of Art's Galleria Shop

Judith Covey

Trasplanted from upstate New York, Judith and her husband Chad have been volunteering at HMA for 10 years.  Judith, former HMA Guild President, keeps busy creating beautiful items for the Galleria.  While traveling, Judith obtains wool and creates scarves, handbags, and totes.  Some are felted, some are knitted.  Judith is also a skilled painter, and she creates lovely hand painted furniture and other gift items.  Judith and Chad volunteer in the Galleria each month, which is a natural fit since Judith is a former gift shop owner!  Come to the Galleria to see all of Judith's beautiful creations.

Vickie Jo Franks

Artist

Vickie Jo Franks is an artist born in rural North Carolina.  Her work presents in sculptures and two dimensional constructions.  Franks’ work is an honest, tenacious spiritual voice with deep concerns for NC, the world and beyond. Each piece is assembled with recycled materials both man made and natural.  Franks’ work is part of corporate and private collections and was recently installed at the Hickory Museum of Art as “River Cats”.  Franks earned a BA in Art from Queens University and has advanced studies in art, theology/psychology, and writing from Arrowmount School of Craft Design, Gardner Webb University, South Eastern Seminary, and UNCC. For more images of he creative work one can not only join us here at the Galleria but also on her website www.vickiejofranks.com 

Gin Hurley

Pottery Artists
Tigersmoon Designs

Through history a few things have held a place as foundations of societies. Language, art, and myth are a few that get accredited for much, however pottery is often forgotten until it emerges as art. However without this technology/skill food storage and trade would have often been impossible. Cultures often unknowingly revolved around the use of pottery and were shaped by is much like the clay itself. This is the foundation for Gin's work with the wheel. She focuses on the function and history of a form though gives it a modern twist.

With a life long interest in art, she studied ceramics and glaze chemistry at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. Her interest was peaked by her architectural and engineering classes along with here sociology and anthropology classes. She began teaching through community education programs in Charlotte, N.C. Salt Lake City Utah, and most recently in her hometown of Hickory N.C. She works hard to bring function back to pottery while still having the luxury of beauty.

Welcome to the Galleria, located in the lobby of the Hickory Museum of Art. We focus on featuring the work of local artists. In a day of mass production and exporting of goods we take the time to show the skills and vision of our very own neighbors.

We not only give them a place to share their work but also showcase artists. This blog will be yet another chance to see what wonderful masterpieces can be found within, and the artist themselves. Each month one artist will be highlighted so not only their work but also they, themselves will shine.