The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross features Claire Cashau, Doris Clark and Elinor Gay in its gallery show through July 15. The gallery is located at 150 Melrose Avenue and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and during services.

Claire Cashau is a watercolorist who moved to Columbus from Kitty Hawk, NC.  She started her career in Northern Virginia where her work had been shown almost exclusively at the “Us Too Studio” in Fairfax.  At that time she was an oil painter whose awards included “Best in Show,” a few times competing against many Virginia artists.

After retiring to the beach, Claire switched to watercolor, developing a unique style of her own.  Her own work was enjoyed in galleries in six surrounding towns from Corolla to Hatteras and West to Edonton.  She has won many awards in NC both at local and state levels and has been the subject of many newspaper articles and other publications.

After moving to Columbus her work showed up at a few local shops and galleries until it was retiring time again.  Tryon Estates is a wonderful place to retire to.  See her work there along with St. Luke’s Hospital’s ongoing shows.

Doris Clark is an acrylic artist and photographer. As retirement came close and major health issues occurred, Doris decided it was time to figure out what to do when she grew up. After her first art class she knew. Doris jumped full force into the paint. 

Doris’ paintings hang in collections, homes and businesses in many states, the UK and Germany. Doris has a real HeArt for putting emotions and memories on canvas. One of the greatest compliments comes when a client says “that painting speaks to me.” 

Doris continues to take classes from instructors across the US always trying new ideas and expanding the freedom of artistic expression.  Doris resides in the mountains of NC in the Asheville region. 

She is a member of the International Society of Acrylic Painters, the National Society of Painters in Casein/Acrylic, Tryon Painters & Sculptors, Rutherford County Visual Arts Guild and Art League of Henderson County.

Elinor Gay was born in Pennsylvania and grew up in a small rural town.  After Bloomsburg  College (now a university), she went to Long Island, NY, to teach.  There Elinor married and raised two children.  She and her husband retired here in 1989.

On a dare, Elinor took a course in oil painting at the Fine Arts Center.  Painting became a passion, and she studied with Bill Ryan and joined Tryon Painters and Sculpters. Currently Elinor paints at the Isothermal Community College with Dale McEntire.

– article submitted by Gregory Wright