Two exhibits open at the Upstairs Artspace Friday, Jan. 27, with a public reception from 5-8 p.m.
“The Fine Art Ramblers” features Greenville, S.C. artists Patti Brady, Jim Campbell, Bob Chance, Phil Garrett, David McCurry and Joel Wilkinson. Their work includes paintings, monotypes, mixed media and decorative stoneware.
Several years ago, these same artists formed a string band, the Fine Art Ramblers, and they have been performing blues, jazz and  swing favorites ever since. This Friday they’ll give a short concert for the Upstairs crowd starting at 7 p.m. Hand-clapping, singing along and dancing in place will be allowed.
“The Innovative Camera” introduces artists who push the boundaries of contemporary photography through staging, manipulation and close-ups. They are Colby Caldwell of Asheville and Diane Hopkins-Hughs, Owen Riley and Rebecca Stockham, all of Greenville, S.C.
The artists in both exhibits are well established, widely exhibited and are in many private collections. McCurry, Riley and Caldwell are exhibiting at the Upstairs for the first time.
On Friday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m., Caldwell will explore aspects of photographing people, especially members of one’s family, in a PowerPoint presentation titled “Framing Lazarus.”
The Upstairs is also hosting a fund raising project, “Have a Heart for Big Brothers, Big Sisters” (BBBS). One wall of the gallery will be covered with beautiful, colorful, whimsical and funky clay hearts decorated by many local artists. They are available through a silent auction bidding process, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to BBBS.
Subjects of future Upstairs exhibits are iPhoneography, sculptural wood and ceramics, fiber, encaustic, humorous art, figurative glass and jewelry. For more information call 828-859-2828 or visit www.upstairsartspace.org.
– article submitted
by Nancy Holmes