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.