Discover and Celebrate the Bliss of the Artists and Artisans of the Toe River Valley: Spruce Pine Area

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Toe River Artists: Bakersville
Toe River Artists: Burnsville
Toe River Artists: Celo
Toe River Artists: Penland
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Toe River Galleries & Tours
Toe River Art & Craft Schools, Workshops
Where to Stay in the Toe River area
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Rick and Valerie Beck
The Becks’ painted cylinders, bowls and large rondelles use the graal technique: the surface of the glass is painted with enamel in three layers. The graal is then encased in clear crystal, shaped and blown out.
".... The glasswork of artisans Rick and Valerie Beck is decidedly contemporary. While Rick sculpts the cast works, both Valerie and Rick create blown pieces. The blown works, which they create collaboratively, are familiar shapes with brightly colored contemporary patterns. 'Much of our work is about the repetitive patterns around us,' note the Becks. 'Patterns found in nature, such as the veins in a leaf, that are manmade, simple and complex, or even chaotic appeal to our sense of design. A thick graal shape is blown and annealed. After it has cooled, the surface is prepared and painted with glass enamels in three layers, firing to 300¼ between each layer. The graal is then picked up hot on the end of a blowpipe, gathered over, shaped and blown out.'..."
"... Rick and Valerie Beck are former Penland residents and currently maintain a studio in Spruce Pine, NC. Their blown and painted glass is unmistakable for its vivid color and fluid shape. The layering techniques used in their glass platters and bowls are accomplished by both artists, separately as well as together working on the same piece of art work..." Gallery:Carlton Gallery, Foscoe.

Beecham White Glass
"... Much of Gary’s work has been heavily influenced by ancient glass, both in form and in technique. The ancients treated glass as a plastic gem material, a substance that could be colored, stretched, melted and carved by the maker. Gary has experimented with countless ways of manipulating glass involving blowing, fusing and cutting. Over his twenty-five year career, he has become well-known for heavy, thick-walled vessels. For the imagery in these pieces, he first makes up a wide palette of colored overlay rods. Some pieces contain textile patterns that are then introduced into the crystal glass piece as it is being blown, creating the illusion of glass “fabric” floating in the bowl of the vessel, often with a second or third pattern appearing on one of the vessel’s reflecting surfaces. Others, incorporating complex millifiori, are formed into mosaics of brilliant color. The imagery of these pieces has been suggested by influences as divergent as astronomical forms, undersea creatures and figures from a Persian rug. Gary’s work is shown and appreciated internationally. He is represented in corporate and museum collections world-wide....."

Barbara Kahn
".... I teach classes and workshops in art, herbs, aromatherapy and calligraphy in several places in North Carolina.... My art is a reflection of my classical education, travels and postgraduate metaphysical studies. My style stems from a combination of my inner visions and outward beauty here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. My studio is in Little Switzerland, North Carolina.
...." Barbara's work can often be seen during the twice a year TRAC studio tours and her handmade cards can be purchased anytime at the Blue Moon Bookstore on Upper Street... a great place to drop in for some wonderful books and conversation with the ever-cheerful Sharon.

Joe Nielander
"... was quickly captured and enthralled with forming hot glass into beautiful pieces of art. He expanded his knowledge through summer sessions at Penland and apprentice work with Bill Slade... in 1985, he continued his studies at Penland School, where he became a Studio Coordinator for 4 years, an Artist in Residence for 3 years, then successfully transformed himself into a Teacher for 2 summer sessions and 1 concentration. Always looking for more new insights, he dedicated a summer at the Pilchuck School of Glass to spend a session studying with Diana Hobson. His thirst to learn more and hone his craft unquenched,... While studying under Joel Myers, his passion and commitment to constantly explore new possibilities with his chosen art form, and refine them to perfection, earned him an MFA degree in glass in 1994 .... His glass artwork continues to evolve over time, with significant shifts in styles and techniques evident over more than two decades of dedication to his craft.... he loves the water and has recreated the brilliance and beauty of illuminations on water in one of his current series of vases called Water Veils. He uses gem color brilliance inside thick layers of clear glass, manipulating them and letting them play off each other, and then permanently capturing the brilliant patterns that emulate soothing, rippling waters within stunning functional forms...." Nielander is a member of Southern Highland Guild, and can often be seen at their fair. Has also participated in the twice a year TRAC studio tour.
Galleries: Vitrum Gallery, Asheville; Somerhill Gallery, Chapell Hill; Red Sky Gallery, Charlotte; Courtyard Gallery, New Buffalo, MI; Lee Hansley Gallery, Raleigh
Some of the Festivals he's participated in: Main Street Art Fest,Worth; Coconut Grove Arts Festival;

Janet Taylor Studio
"... is located in the small crafts community of Spruce Pine... the artist and designer, currently produces several lines of accent fabrics and fabric accessories. Ms. Taylor's designs can be found in many upscale homes throughout the country. Janet is presently working on a line of functional fabric accessories using a unique dye process. These limited edition or one-of-a-kind ties and scarves come in all sizes and have features such as hand printing and fine beading....Ms. Janet Taylor has been a recognized artist, speaker, and educator for more than three decades. Ms. Taylor's educational credits include a BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art and an MFA from Syracuse University's School of Art. Upon receiving her degrees Ms. Taylor simultaneously began a career in teaching and a career as an exhibiting artist.... In 2000 Ms. Taylor concluded her 24-year tenure at ASU where she is now Professor Emerita. Ms. Taylor began exhibiting in 1969. ... Ms. Taylor's tapestries and other fiber arts have appeared in numerous publications and were the basis of a 1986 television program produced by KAET in Tempe, Arizona.... In 1990, Ms. Taylor stopped making and exhibiting tapestries and opened her studio. Upon her retirement from ASU, Ms. Taylor moved the studio to Penland, North Carolina. Ms. Taylor is currently serving the seventh year of an eight year appointment to the Board of Trustees at the Penland School of Crafts..." Ms. Taylor has also collaborated with such artists as Jane Peiser and jewelery designer Nancy Fleming. Her work may be seen and purchased at the Ariel Gallery, Asheville's contemporary craft collective. Her work can also be seen and purchased during the twice a year TRAC studio tour.

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