The power of this area to attract and sustain artists is clearly evident in “Showing Off Saluda,” an exhibit of works by 10 Saluda artists that opened Feb. 11 and runs through March 23 at Skyuka Fine Art in Tryon.
Much of the work in the show depicts local scenes of historic Saluda and its bountiful natural beauty: forests, streams and mountains.

“As we were fleshing out our exhibit schedule for the year, we realized that this show has been at the top of our list since we opened a year ago last January and its time was due,” said gallery director and co-owner Kimberly Nelson.
According to Nelson, the diversity of technique makes “Showing Off Saluda” an interesting show, from John Waddill’s expressive brush strokes to Bill Ryan’s bright watercolors to Michael Bedoian’s intense oversized photo-realistic wildlife paintings.
William Jameson successfully creates some of the magical colors you see in nature while Bonnie Bardos’ mixed media works of oils and wax convey her personal spirit through her color explorations. Marguerite Hankins uses deep, rich colors with her academic style and Jim Carson’s familiar local scenes come to life with his impressionistic bold brush strokes. Landscape lovers will appreciate Beverly Pickard and Anne Jameson’s rural farm and local subjects, as well as Dale McEntire’s pastel abstract landscapes.

The opening reception was very well attended, in spite of the bitter cold weather, Nelson said. She said they could tell this was a much-anticipated show from the number of phone calls clarifying the show date opening and the hours of the opening reception. There was quite a buzz about town, with people commenting on how they were looking forward to the show, particularly Michael Bedoian’s late entry of “Eternity,” which was described as the bear that “stares into your soul.”
“The gallery was packed from beginning to end,” Nelson said. “We truly had not seen that amount of people in our space since our grand opening. That certainly says something good about Saluda artists.”
As a contemporary realism artist, Jameson said he found the relatively slow pace of life and general peacefulness of the area very conducive to painting. After visiting Saluda for many years, he and his artist wife, Anne, moved there 11 years ago. He said many of the Saluda artists moved to the area by choice.
“Our city is so welcoming and supportive to working artists,” Jameson said. “And Saluda artists exhibit together on occasion and enjoy our mutual support and the success of the diversity in style and subject matter of our work.”
Bardos, a painter and sculptor who has lived in Saluda for 18 years, said there is a tremendous amount of support and connection in the town, not only among artists, but in general.
“It is a thrill and honor to show with such outstanding artists,” Bardos said. “We enjoy helping one another, and showing together whenever possible!”
Living in Saluda for 17 years, McEntire said the community not only supports its artists but he also finds it to be a great place for the subject matter for his work.
“I see my work as a natural evolution of the many inspirations of fellow artists, as well as my own personal response to nature and our relationship with it,” McEntire said. “The diversity of the work and the dedication of people to their craft help make the exhibit at Skyuka interesting.”