Thompson Garden Gallery continues to feature local artists each month. For the month of June,

Landrum artists Casa Bacot and Jane Ratchford will hold special exhibits at the Garden Gallery.

When you stop by to see the two women’s works, you’ll find that Erin and Cory Thompson have brought new energy to downtown Tryon.

Currently, their gallery showcases 44 local artists and craftspeople among hand-picked whimsical and practical items for the home and garden.

Both Bacot and Ratchford have chosen to live this area, Ratchford in Lanrum and Bacot in Tryon. They appreciate the emphasis which draws a lot of artists to the galleries and art centers.

Casa Bacot grew up in Virginia. Her art training began at Virginia Commonwealth University and continued at Vermont Studio Center and Penland.

Fortunate to receive several fellowships, Bacot studied under internationally known artists and worked for world-renowned glass artist

Harvey Littleton. While living in Virginia, Bacot exhibited at numerous galleries. Her work is on display in numerous collections.

Bacot has been painting primarily watercolors for more than thirty years, every day.

“When I experienced artists’ block with my painting, I started to create pastels of my four dogs,” she said.