Patty Wright, one of Tryon Arts and Crafts School’s esteemed artisans, has been named the School’s Artist of the Month. Her artwork is being featured during the month of September in the gallery of Tryon Arts and Crafts School at 373 Harmon Field Road. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Patty, born on a military base in Ft. Hood, Texas, was raised as a military brat in Europe and had an amazing and fun-filled life traveling the world. Introduced to photography at a young age, Patty used her love of travel along with her creative eye to capture a combination of the world and people’s emotions.

Per Patty, “I am a traveler, a person that wants to see it all. I love nothing more than to experience the end of the day with sunset cruising. I look to capture the interesting, the unexplored and feel the silence as photography inspires me to look at the world around me and to see through my lens.”

About her philosophy as a photographer, Patty says, “I love light. I listen to the silence and I create with excitement. I love to photograph utter realism, from the silent world of abandoned barns, rivers and trees, to old things that have contrast and shadows. When I am composing an image, I look for the shadows the light offers and I focus on them, as it is very spiritual for me.”

Wright’s work has created collectors throughout the North and South Carolina area, along the East Coast and as far as Utah, Oregon and Costa Rica. As an award-winning photographer and writer, in addition to exhibiting at Tryon Arts & Crafts School, her work has been shown in the galleries of West Main Artists Co-op, Spartanburg County Library Gallery, Gallery East, Carri Bass Art Studio, the Federal Building in Spartanburg along with the Spartanburg Tax office, and in galleries in Oregon and Washington, D.C. 

She is the author of two books, and her writing has been featured in a selection of printed newspapers and magazines. In addition to her own solo shows, Patty has curated group shows for other artists all with great success.

Patty says, “In the end I want to create art because it makes me feel good. I feel the joy, the passion and the feeling that I am right where I am supposed to be!” 

And Tryon Arts & Crafts School is honored to have Patty right here in Tryon, exhibiting at the school!    

For more information call 828-859-8323 or visit tryonartsandcrafts.org.

– submitted by Cathy Fischer