When local potter Jim Cornell proposed a unique fund raiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters, the organization jumped at the chance.
For this art project, Cornell designed a 3-D ceramic “puffed” heart form. The blank hearts are about 6-8” and can hang on the wall. Potter Doug Dacey helped Cornell produce the unadorned hearts to be distributed to area artists for embellishment.
Artists were free to use their own approach and medium, such as glaze, paint, fiber or choice of materials, to create a work of “heArt” in, on or around the piece. Some went as far as to create a heart of different materials entirely. The idea was to have fun with this project.
Kathleen Carson at Kathleen’s Gallery in Tryon served as “heart central” to distribute and then collect the finish pieces. Some of the artists contributing include Dale McEntire (who is also a Big Brother), Bonnie Bardos, Kathleen Carson, Patricia Cole-Ferullo, Jim Cornell, Bill Crowell, Jim Cullen, Doug Dacey, Dom Ferullo, Carol Beth Icard, Marie King, Mike McCarthy and Alex Trumble.
The HeArts will be displayed in the front window of the Upstairs Artspace in Tryon for the opening of its first show of 2012.
The show features the Fine Art Ramblers, a group of six Upstate artists who will also perform in their post-modern string band during the opening reception, from 5-8 p.m. on Jan. 27. In addition, The Innovative Camera will exhibit work by Colby Caldwell, Diane Hopkins-Hughs, Owen Riley and Rebecca Stockham.
A minimum price for HeArts will be set and the pieces will be available for silent auction bidding during the public reception and regular gallery hours through Valentine’s Day. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
– article submitted by Karen Dacey