Feature article
|
 |
|
 |
‘From These Hills’ boosts profiles of Appalachian area artists
By Marci Gore
 |
| Perry Johnson's 'From Which to Choose' |
William King Museum exhibit will remain on display through Feb. 14
William King Museum is celebrating the diversity of the regional artistic talent with a major exhibition of new works by artists working in all media in Southwest Virginia, Northeast Tennessee, Western North Carolina, Southern West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky.
“From These Hills: Contemporary Art in the Southern Appalachian Highlands,” is on display at the Abingdon, Va., museum through Feb. 14, 2010.
Showcasing 83 pieces by more than 30 artists, this year’s biennial exhibit is one of the most eclectic to date, said Kathy Lowdermilk, the museum’s director of marketing.
“The pieces range from life-size posters to video art. There are numerous sculptures, paintings, of course, photography, pottery, water media,” she said. “We have just a little bit of everything this year. In the past, it’s not been as wide of a mix and there have not been as many artists as this year.”
Ray Kass, a painter and writer who splits his time between New York City and Blacksburg, Va., is the guest-curator of the exhibit. Kass is also Professor Emeritus of Art at Virginia Tech.
Artists featured in this year’s exhibition include: Ann Ropp, Bill Deel, Bracken Caldwell, Catherine Murray, Connie Bundy, Deborah Bryan, Denise Stewart-Sanabria, Derek Smith, Duane Cregger, Elizabeth Johns, Heather Harvey, Jan Foust Hurt, Jarata, Jean Hess, Jennifer Collins, Jennifer Cox, Jennifer Spoon, Kevin Inman, Kristi Taylor, Lindsey Kincaid, Marianne Gubler, Marilyn Hower, Marvin Tadlock, Mary Nees, Michael Murphy, Morgan LeMasters, Neil Staples, Perry Johnson, Robert Sulkin, Shane Snider, Steve Hutchins, Tamie Beldue, Travis Graves, Val Lyle, Vaughn Garland and William Matthew Harvey.
Started in 1992, “From These Hills” not only highlights the regional talent right here in the Appalachian Mountains, but it also provides those artists chances for professional growth and further exposure, Lowdermilk said.
“This gives us an opportunity to showcase this region’s talent and the different artworks we have and the wonderful artists,” she said. “This is just our part in trying to educate the region in just how much talent we have.
“It’s great to be able to see such a broad range of pieces and see it all in one space.”
Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday; and 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Suggested donation for admission is $5 for adults; $3 for seniors; and free for members and students.
The Museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums, a Partner of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Virginia Commission for the Arts, and is a member of the Virginia Association of Museums and the Southeastern Museums Conference.
For more information about “From These Hills” or the museum’s other exhibits, call 276-628-5005 or visit williamkingmuseum.org.
--------GoTriCities--------
“From These Hills” exhibit
WHEN: Through Feb. 14, 2010
WHERE: William King Museum, Abingdon, Va.
COST: Suggested donation $5, adults; $3, seniors; free, members and students
CONTACT: 276-628-5005, williamkingmuseum.org
|
|
|
|
|
