Saluda artist Bonnie Joy Bardos recently won second place for ​3-dimensional work in the 14th Annual Bring Us Your Best juried art show at Blue Ridge Community College’s Conference Hall in the TEDC building in Flat Rock, N.C.  

Also, her sculpture “Walela: Spirit Guide” (Cherokee for Hummingbird)​ in the Arts Council of Henderson County​ won the One Planet, One World Award sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville. The winning entry was chosen based on “how well it is representative of a world community recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of all beings; and the oneness and interdependence of all life​.”​ 

The nearly 5-foot-tall sculpture was created with fired clay, wire, antique square-cut nails, branches, feathers, copper, found/recycled objects, hand-dyed fiber and dupioni silk on a pedestal created from an old piece of walnut and spalted maple donated to the artist by Packard Woodworks in Tryon. ​ 

On Sept. 30 – Oct. 1, Bonnie’s studio/house at 285 Greenville Street in Saluda will be on the yearly Art Trek open studio tour, sponsored by Upstairs Artspace at 49 S. Trade Street, Tryon. All participating artists will be in a gallery exhibit that opens with a preview party on Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; maps will be available at area businesses, art studios, and at the gallery.  

Submitted by Bonnie Bardos 

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