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TRYON—Upstairs Artspace will showcase the artwork of Asheville artists Connie Bostic and Steve Mann from August 19 through October 8. 

The artists’ reception will be held on Friday, August 25, from 4:30 to 7 p.m., with a Walk & Talk taking place from 4:30 to 5 p.m.

Bostic’s exhibition, “Walking Naked In The World,” will be a retrospective of her life’s work and will include about 80 pieces of art. She is one of the most well-known and influential artists in western North Carolina. Her paintings often address subjects such as equality, justice and inclusion.

Mann is a fine art photographer, whose work has appeared in magazines such as Explore!, WNC, Thread, Carolina Home & Garden and Verve. His exhibit, “Indian Relay,” features dynamic black and white photographs of the 2022 Sheridan WYO Rodeo World Championship Indian Relay Race in Wyoming.

“We are especially honored to have the work of Connie Bostic in our gallery,” gallery President Patti Trobaugh said. “The depth of meaning and social influence of her work in this region is phenomenal. She is one of the most respected and prolific artists in western North Carolina. Steve Mann’s photographs of an Indian relay event are amazing. People will feel like they are there.”

The curator for Mann’s exhibit is Margaret Curtis, an artist and freelance curator. Curtis is co-curator of the Bostic show along with Linda Noble, chair of the gallery’s Exhibitions Committee.

Bostic began her art career late in life. She has a bachelor’s degree in studio art from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and a master’s degree in painting from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Her list of exhibitions is long and impressive. She is also well-known as a teacher, mentor, and published writer.

Mann is a native of Asheville. He received his bachelor’s degree in photography and art history from the University of Arizona. His work has been exhibited coast to coast, starting in 1983.

For more information about these exhibitions, please visit online UpstairsArtspace.org, or call (828) 859-2828. Upstairs Artspace is located at 49 S. Trade St. in Tryon.