Tryon Arts and Crafts School will feature Patti Miles-Cooner as its September Artist of the Month. Miles-Cooner’s sculptures will be on display at the school throughout the month, with a free-admission public reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, alongside “Transcendence,” a Southern Highland Craft Guild group exhibition.

Miles-Cooner received her formal education at Presbyterian College, completing a business major and art minor. In recent years, she has further pursued art education at Greenville Art Museum, with a focus on hand built ceramic sculpture.

When she is not in the art studio, Miles-Cooner is a competitor in equestrian sports and fox hunting, both of which are lifelong pursuits. So, it comes as no surprise that the subject matter of Miles-Cooner’s art features animal and human-animal interaction.

“I am a horse- and dog-crazy lady,” she said. “I sculpt what I love.” 

Likewise, Miles-Cooner’s love of the Caribbean archipelago, sea creatures and snorkeling lends itself to her sculpture. Followers of her work are familiar with her renderings of coral, fish and sea turtles.

TACS welcomed into its membership in 2017. She also is a member of Tryon Painters and Sculptors, having joined in 2012.

She has exhibited in many TACS exhibitions, and has participated in many educational offerings, such as silversmithing, wire-wrapping and fused glass.

“I am developing, and enjoying what TACS offers — a smorgasbord of fabulous classes,” Miles-Cooner said in response to being asked if she intends to slow down anytime soon.

For more information about the school, people may contact the office at 828-859-8323 or visit TryonArtsandCrafts.org.

– Submitted by Will Barclift