Siler City Third Friday Art Walk

Central Carolina Community College faculty artists do not have lazy summers! Come see what they can do to please the eye! Again, the CCCC Sculpture student gallery, located at 138 N. Chatham Avenue, will be open during the Third Friday Art Walk in downtown Siler City from 6:00 to 9:00, Friday, July 17. This show is by Sculpture and Pottery faculty, the folks who inspire students to produce the excellent art work you’ve seen here before. View the sculpture of Phillip Ashe, wood sculpture by Aaron Smith, photography by Sebastian Frances, pottery by Joyce Bryan, Jennifer Siegel, Raymond Edwards, and Darlene Brady.

During the Art Walk, which is sponsored by the North Carolina Arts Incubator, 20 galleries, shops, and eateries will be open. There will be live music on stage in the court yard by “Bluesville”.

Enjoy a leisurely summer evening in historic downtown Siler City.

Caption: Crank Assembly, a sculpture by Phillip Ashe, head of the CCCC Ceramic and Metal Sculpture Program.

A Celebration of a life in art

The Chatham Artists Guild presents a special show at the Carolina Brewery for June and July, a celebration of the life of Jacqueline Hammer, a longtime participant in the Chatham Studio Tour. Jackie lived for many years in Fearrington Village with her writer husband Robert. Her works, along with those of several of her fellow Guild artists who live and work in Fearrington, adorn the walls of the Pittsboro brewery and restaurant on highway 15/501 near the Lowes home improvement store. There will be a reception honoring Jackie on Sunday, July 12th from 4 to 6 PM. Join her Fearrington artist friends and colleagues for an enjoyable time of art and refreshment. Fearrington artists Vidabeth Bensen, Anne Bigelow, Forrest Greenslade, Claire Levitt, Roy Lindholm, Leslie Palmer, Deborah Sanks, Joan Sommers and Rita Spina will be present to meet with Brewery goers and share remembrances of Jackie’s life and work.
From the time that Hammer grew up in the Bronx New York, she was dedicated to her art. Educated at Columbia Art School, she was classically trained in oils, lithography and pottery. She worked commercially, doing line drawings for ads in newspapers like the Boston Globe. She had an expansive career of exploration and sharing her joy of artistic expression. Her son Gilbert recalls, “In 1967 during the time of the Greek revolution, mom spent a month in Greece, collaborating and taking in new ideas from a local artist.” He notes, “Mom preferred abstract design and embraced non-traditional expression. She always translated her own emotions into her work, and stayed away from anything derivative of popular artistic trends.”
Her daughter Leslie remembers, “Mom always had a studio of her own, and was connected with the arts community. People were continually visiting to see her work and learning from her. “She always involved me in her art. She was my teacher as well as my mom. Later, my son worked with her in the studio. Mom loved sharing her art with others.”
Fellow Fearrington artist, Rita Spina notes, “Jackie became my mentor when my life's dream of becoming an artist was beginning. My husband and I retired in Fearrington 20 years ago. Several artists got together here to read THE ARTIST'S WAY. I became a part of this group and some of us eventually became known as the Collection. We had our first show at Fearrington’s Gathering Place. From the time that Jackie and I met, she encouraged my artistic endeavors, and over the years told me to do what I love to do and keep the messages in my head and experiment in every way -- and to close off the world. Her words were always (and still are) in the back of my head. She also told me that as soon as I sold my first piece of work, I would recognize myself as a professional. And she was right on target. Jackie still stands at my shoulder as I ponder what comes next and I close everything else out and the work begins.”

Another friend and Fearrington artist Vidabeth Bensen adds, “In 1997, Jackie, Rita Spina, Fran Schultzberg, and I traveled to Japan. Jackie told me that her lifelong dream was to visit Japan. I am so glad we were able to fulfill that dream and share it with her.” Son Gilbert stresses, “she found the Japanese sense of minimalism within their culture and design to be an important aspect running through her work.”

The Collection helped start what today is the Chatham County Studio Tour (2009 is The Tour’s 17th year) and led to the development of the Chatham Artists Guild (www.chathamartistsguild.org). The Guild is a non-profit organization of regionally and nationally recognized visual artists. Each year, Guild members open their studios to the public through the Chatham Open Studio Tour. Visitors travel throughout lovely rural Chatham County to meet artists in their own work spaces, and share their ideas on art and the creative process.

Carolina Brewery (www.carolinabrewery.com) a locally-owned brewery and restaurant, has drawn international attention for its handcrafted beers and traditional bar fare in its Chapel Hill and new Pittsboro locations.


Caption: Jacqueline Hammer, 1922–2009
Jackie’s family would like any donations in her memory to be made to the Chatham Artists Guild or the UNC Hospitals.

Novel paintings debut at Central Carolina Community College Gallery

CCCC metal and ceramic sculpture student and concrete sculpture teacher Forrest Greenslade introduces a new series of relief paintings called Petrified Forrest in the College’s Siler City Gallery. Philip Ashe, Director of the Sculpture Program says, Forrest’s paintings using modeling paste and tarnished metal coatings are a little reminiscent of Van Gogh in their sculptural surfaces and use of light.” The series depicts stylized woodland scenes. “This is a departure from my wacky animal sculptures and paintings,” notes Greenslade. “I wanted to capture the sculptural beauty of the trees all around us in a format that can decoratively enhance our homes.”

The CCCC Gallery will be a featured venue in Siler City’s Third Friday Art Walk on June 19th, 6 to 9 PM. Other activities for the night will be Julia Kennedy’s Color Shift opening at the PAF Gallery, Fruit of the Vine at the NCAI Gallery, and Siler City Merchant’s Association Birch Alley Art. Music in the Courtyard will be by Bill and Libby Hicks.

The CCCC Gallery will highlight pottery and sculpture by CCCC Exhibit Design students in the June 19th show. Ruth Brown will exhibit whimsical clay sculptures. Brown’s sculptures are inspired from her everyday observations, with a few abstract designs thrown in. “Sculpting faces that have worn features showing their life journeys has become a way to stay connected with folks whose life lines cross mine.”. Holly Felice will show new clay sculptures. Felice considers herself a mixed media artist. “I want to learn everything about using wood, metal, clay, or glass – whatever material tells the best story,” she explains. Ruth Morgans will feature wheel thrown pots that are often altered, paddled or stamped and occasionally hand built. She uses earth toned, layered glazes and slips that respond serendipitously to atmospheric firing. She notes, “It is my goal as a potter to express the surprising convergence of functional, funky and elegant, while utilizing the capacity of clay to accommodate extraordinary machinations, prods, and pulls. Deborah Motter will show new sculptural pieces. She ponders, “How much will the clay let me manipulate it, and what patinas are the most expressive of the shape beneath?” Carol Kroll has just completed an exciting sculpture fabricated from a home grown gourd. She explains, “I love growing things, but my first love, art, keeps tugging at me.” Trish Welsh has produced new functional pottery. She stresses, “I want the pots to work well and look beautiful with the food on the table. I am inspired by the textures and patterns found in my daily life like sand on the beach, bark on the trees and ferns uncurling in the spring.”

The Professional Arts and Crafts Program (http://www.cccc.edu/curriculum/majors/sculpture/) in clay and metal sculpture has a unique design and location. The program, the only one of its kind in North Carolina, was developed to teach artistic skills in pottery, clay sculpture, and metal sculpture. The course work in the Sculpture Program concentrates on the development of skills in clay and metal. Emphasis is placed on hands-on training. Courses in design, pottery, metal and clay sculpture, and basic welding give students needed fundamentals in this creative art form. Additional classes provide students with training in metal casting, glaze formulation, kiln design and construction, and advanced artistic design. Students can become a part of an arts community when enrolled in the CCCC program. Located in an historic building in downtown Siler City, NC, the facilities are newly renovated and feature gas and electric kilns.
For more information contact Phillip Ashe or Sandra Martin (phone: (919) 742-4156, email: pgashe29@cccc.edu or smart025@cccc.edu.

Caption: Petrified Forrest: Sycamore Sunrise a relief painting by Forrest Greenslade

DRAG yourself down to the General Store for an outrageous Burrito Bash

"Get in touch with your feminine side," laughs Maggie Zwilling, Executive Director of the Chatham Artists Guild. The Guild is teaming up with the Abundance Foundation to host a Burrito Bash at downtown Pittsboro's popular General Store Cafe on Tuesday, June 2nd from 6 to 9 PM. Tami Schwerin, Executive Director of the Foundation, quips, "Mix things up a little with an evening of fun, surprises and art in support of our important organizations. "We’re gathering all the Drag Queens & Kings (and those who aspire to be) to benefit the arts community and sustainability movement in our area."

Tickets are $12 each when purchased ahead or $15 at the door. Buy advance tickets online at: http://theabundancefoundation.org/drag-burrito-bash/ or call 919-533-5181. Forrest Greenslade, President of the The Guild notes, "In addition to The GSC's famous burritos, the evening will feature dinner music by fellow artist and guitarist Joey Howell and friends." "We will have a silent and live auction, and of course a live Drag Queen show not to be missed."

The purpose of the *Abundance Foundation* (http://theabundancefoundation.org/) purpose is to increase the public awareness of sustainable energy usage and local food consumption. The corporation’s goal is to create programs that can model how human beings can harness, use, and benefit from renewable energy sources as well as support the increase of local, sustainable farms.

The *Chatham Artists Guild* (www.chathamartistsguild.org <http://www.chathamartistsguild.org>) is a non-profit organization of regionally and nationally recognized visual artists. Each year, Guild members open their studios to the public through the Chatham Open Studio Tour. Visitors travel throughout lovely rural Chatham County to meet artists in their own work spaces, and share their ideas on art and the creative process.

The *General Store Café* (http://www.thegeneralstorecafe.com) is at the center of Chatham cultural activities, displaying its art, and featuring its musicians. It is open 6 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and serves Sunday brunch. With articles in the Bon Appétit and Southern Living Magazine as well as numerous newspapers throughout the Triangle area, the café has become a favorite community gathering place as well as a destination for a lot of new folks.

Spring Sampler

Celebrate a beautiful Carolina spring Sunday afternoon with an "art bouquet" at the Carolina Brewery. We will hold an artists' reception for several leading artists of the Chatham Artists Guild on Sunday, May 3rd from 4 to 6 PM. Come, have a brew and some nice bar snacks, and talk with painters, photographers, sculptors and other Guild artists. The Chatham Carolina Brewery is on Route 15/501 just North of Pittsboro


Featured chatham artist Joey Howell tells this story:

Chatham County has a long, rich tradition of hospitality to wildlife. The first European explorers who came here found a verdant place teeming with animals of all sorts. Blessed with three rivers and abundant open space, our county is home to several species that live only here. Even today, while out-of-control development, toxic waste and climate change threaten our commonwealth, wild Life refuses to abandon its traditional toehold on this land.

Last year, in early spring, we noticed a fox hanging around our yard. It grew quite accustomed to us, standing its ground and barking sharply at us if we got too close. At some point we realized it was actually a pair of foxes. We loved our “pet” foxes and relished the daily encounters. In mid June, I came out to my studio early on a Saturday morning, looked out the sliding glass door in the back, and there on the steps was a fox kit! Barely three feet from me. It looked up at me through the glass without the slightest trace of apprehension. I glanced to the side and saw another! And then another! Slowly, quietly, I crept back and grabbed my camera. I managed to snap half a dozen pictures before -of course- the battery ran out, mother fox pacing nervously all the while at the periphery of the yard. By the time I replaced the battery they had vanished. I never saw them again. And so they had launched out from the confines of their den nearby. Our neighbors reported seeing the babies accompanying their mama now on her regular forays to their compost piles.

This is the little kit that was boldly checking out my studio. I like to hope that this spring I will see this same fox again, with its own litter of kits. That would be a really cool tradition to establish.

Pottery Dilemma Solved

How did world-renown potter, Mark Hewitt, of Pittsboro, NC decide which of his two huge wood-fired kilns to fill and fire this winter and spring to supply enough pots for his May Kiln Opening and upcoming shows in Rocky Mount and Highlands, NC, and Pittsfield, MA? Each can hold more than 1500 pots, and with the enthusiastic help of apprentices Joseph Sand and Alex Matisse, they set an all-time record and decided to fill and fire them both!

The newer three-chambered kiln, designed to fire alkaline glazed pottery, produced an array of shiny, dark green and rich amber two gallon lidded jars and robust pitchers, tall beer steins, over 100 mugs and tumblers, teapots, tiered vases, large platters and, of course, several of Hewitt’s signature massive “big pots”. This time they are tall Obelisks, vases and jars, standing nearly over 60” tall.

The reliable, sleek, salt-fired groundhog-style kiln, now at its 76^th firing, was filled with planters of all sizes, plates, bowls, lamp bases, more pitchers and mugs and more “big pots”.

Hewitt Pottery Kiln Openings, held three times a year, are cultural and social events. Collectors, designers, customers, family and friends reunite to share stories of previous kiln loads, dine on homemade refreshments, and add a few more pots to their kitchens, gardens and collections. Newcomers discover why Mark Hewitt is a highly respected household name in the pottery world.
The Spring Kiln Opening will be held on Saturdays, May 2nd and 9th from 9-5pm and Sundays, May 3rd and 10th from noon-5pm. For a preview of all the new pots (no sales at this time) stop by on Friday May 1st between 4 and 7pm. More information and directions to the Hewitt Pottery, (an easy drive from anywhere in the Triangle) can be found at www.hewittpottery.com , or by calling 919-542-2371.

Mark Hewitt is a member of the Chatham Artists Guild (www.chathamartistsguild.org), the organization that presents the Chatham Studio Tour the first two weekends each December.

Kudzu lives in Chatham County

PITTSBORO - A beloved cartoon character - and all his colorful
townsfolk - come to life when “Kudzu, A Southern Musical” opens at
Chatham Mills April 24.
Central Carolina Community College theater production students and
community members fill the stage with the ups-and-downs of small
Southern town life in a tuneful, happy show that has delighted audiences
worldwide.
The musical grew out of the “Kudzu” cartoon strip, created by
editorial cartoonist Doug Marlette in 1981. Collaboration with Jack
Herrick and Bland Simpson, of the Red Clay Ramblers, transformed the
cartoon into a tuneful musical comedy.
The musical captures the angst, tenderness, and humor in the life of
18-year-old Kudzu Dubose, who aspires to be a writer. Kudzu lives in the
town of Bypass, so named because the state ran a new highway past the
town but forgot to give it an exit; so the world bypasses Bypass.
“We picked this show because of its local connections and because
it's good fun, something people will want in these tough times,” said
Ellen Bland, director and Central Carolina C.C. theater instructor.
The show, its characters and music go straight to the heart of
Southerners and those that love the slow-paced life in the small, rural
towns that dot the South. Such towns are disappearing under suburbia,
but “Kudzu, A Southern Musical,” captures the bone-deep feelings for
their community that many of the characters, particularly Kudzu, don’t
realize they have until they might lose it.
Life in Bypass takes a surprising turn when leading citizen Big Bubba
Tadsworth, played by Mike Broadley, tries to sell land in the tiny town
to a Japanese company that wants to build “the world’s largest plant
to manufacture American flags.” In a surprise plot twist, Kudzu,
played by Layton Sheppard, turns out to be the owner of the land.
Will a young man bored with the dullness of his small Southern town
sell its soul to build a factory? Or will he realize how special it is
and how special he is as part of it? The answer comes, surrounded by
both the poignancy and joy of discovering how precious “home” is.
Tickets for “Kudzu, A Southern Musical” are $12 and are available
at CCCC’s Chatham County Campus, 764 West St., Pittsboro, (919)
542-6495, or online at www.brownpapertickets.com . Chatham Mills is
located at 480 Hillsborough St., Pittsboro. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday
and Saturday, April 24-25, and Friday, May 1; 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2;
and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 26 and May 3. The show is produced by
arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., and Chatham Mills Development
Corp.

--