Amazing Penland/Asheville Art Tour

Hey There...

I wanted to take this time to tell you a bit about an upcoming art experience I have organized on behalf of the James Renwick Alliance. Over the years, my favorite and the most enjoyable trips I ever take is to Penland School of Crafts outside of Asheville North Carolina. This area of the country is dense with amazing artists. You may know my work, but you may not know what Penland and the artists in the Asheville area have meant to my career.

I first attended a class at Penland in 1989. It was a survey casting class...the only non-blowing class I could find anywhere in the country. Without hot glass facilities in the Washington region, I wanted to focus my skills towards a different aesthetic...one that I could work with while back at home. Thus began my lifelong relationship with this spectacular school and the generous artists who surrounded it. Here is a link to an article that goes into depth on why I have such a strong commitment to this area.

http://washingtonglass.blogspot.com/2012/01/compelled-by-tim-tate.html ;

A central focus of this trip will be attending Penland’s Annual Benefit Auction, the centerpiece of a gala weekend in the North Carolina Mountains featuring the sale of over 200 craft items. The Penland auction is one of the premier collecting events in the Southeast, and it is a wonderful opportunity to interact with fellow craft enthusiasts. Additionally, we will be visiting the studios of some of the most talented artists surrounding Asheville and the region. This will honestly be the best 5 day excursion you have ever taken...at least I'm gonna try to make it that way!. Here is the schedule of events:

Wednesday, August 8

We arrive in at the Inn at Little Switzerland on the Blue Ridge Parkway with spectacular views of the valley...a favorite spot for travelers in this area....either by plane or driving down, your choice. If you come by plane, you would come to Asheville, where we will arrange pick up. Our plan is to share the cars that come down, and caravan to each location. Close to both Asheville and Penland, this will be our base. Our first event will be a Wednesday evening welcome dinner and cocktails at the Inn.

Inn at Little Switzerland

Thursday, August 9th

After a quick bite at the Inn, we leave at 8:30 and head out to see the sites of Asheville and to some amazing artists studios for private tours. Most of these studios are in the surrounding area, but we will end up in the heart of the city. Here is a list of those studios:

Michael Sherrill

Ceramist Michael Sherrill received a visual arts fellowship from the North Carolina Arts Council in 1992. His work is in several major collections, including the Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, North Carolina and the Renwick Museum. He has been making pots for more than twenty years. Originally, his work was completely functional, but it has evolved into work that is now wholly sculptural. He is one of the most thoughtful and articulate sculptors of our time.

Michael Sherrill

Stoney Lamar
Lamar received his BS degree in industrial arts (wood technology) from Appalachian State University. A friend's borrowed lathe led him away from his original goal to design and build furniture, however, to sculptural woodturning. He apprenticed with Mark and Melvin Lindquist and the year's experience there freed him from many self-imposed restrictions and limitations of traditional lathe approaches. It opened new avenues and processes for the expression of his aesthetic.

His work is in such collections as High Museum of Art (Atlanta), American Craft Museum (NY), Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institute, Yale University Gallery of Art, Mint Museum of Craft & Design (NC), Minneapolis Institute of Art, Wustum Museum of Fine Arts and the Detroit Institute of Art.

Lunch that day will be at Stoneys restaurant just outside Asheville.

Stoney Lamar

Hoss Haley
Hoss Haley has worked in metal for over twenty years, creating sculpture, paintings, and public art. Hoss’s work is in several collections including Lowes Corporation, McColl Center for Visual Art, and the Mint Museum of Craft + Design, and he is represented by the New Gallery of Modern Art in Charlotte, NC. Hoss has been a resident artist at Penland School of Crafts and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center.

Hoss Hailey

Dan Essig
Frequently thought of as the pre-eminent book art maker in this country, you will not find any of Daniel Essig’s books on the shelves of a library. These wordless works of art are sewn, woven and carved into magnificent artists’ books and sculptures. Formerly a photographer, Essig is inspired by found objects that he comes across every day. A self-described hoarder, he will incorporate these items—fossils, shells, coins and old nails—into his artwork. His studio is located next to the Grove Point Inn, where we will peak in for a quick look at their amazing Stickley Collection.

Dan Essig

Blue Spiral Gallery
No trip to Asheville would be complete without a visit to the famous Blue Spiral Gallery. This amazing gallery presents work by exceptional Southern artists and object makers in a beautifully renovated building in the heart of downtown Asheville. The light-filled, 15,000 square-foot gallery spans three floors connected by an open stairway. This spacious setting allows Blue Spiral 1 to offer considerable diversity, affording accessibility to various tastes and aesthetics.

Blue Spiral Gallery

Now, on to dinner! We are planning our meal at the spectacular Posana Restaurant in the center of Asheville. Then back to the Inn at Little Switzerland.

Posana Restaurant

Friday, August 10th
Today we will stay closer to Penland, exploring several studios and then joining in the festivities surrounding the Penland auction, which begin at 3pm with auction previews.

Christina Cordova/Pablo DeSato
This husband and wife team have their amazing studios on the grounds of Penland itself, and are 2 of the most widely known artists on this tour.

De Soto Glass Design was formed around the idea of creating and designing objects that enhance living spaces and environments. As a company we make a wide variety of work. A large portion of what we do revolves around glass blown vessels and functionally oriented works. Lighting design is quickly becoming an influential part of the sum. We also use our facilities and skills for creating glass blown objects for other designers and artists.

Cristina Cordova is a studio artist living in Penland,NC. Originally from Puerto Rico, she received her BA from the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez and went to earn her MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. In 2005 she concluded a three year residency at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. She was the recipient of an American Craft Council Emerging Artist Grant as well as a North Carolina Arts Council Fellowship Award.

Christina Cordova

Pablo Sato

Lunch this day will be on grounds at the Penland Dining Hall.

Penland Gallery
No trip to Penland would ever be complete without a visit to the Penland Gallery. The Penland Gallery--featuring work by artists affiliated with Penland School of Crafts--is a stop worth adding to your trip through Western North Carolina. It is the perfect place to choose a gift, add to your craft collection, or learn about contemporary craft. You will see such artists as Marc Petrovic, Marc Peisser and yours truly, Tim Tate.

Marc Petrovic

Now its on to the auction. It begins at 3pm with the silent auction in the new state of the art facilities in the Print/Letterpress Studio. Dozens of Penland's artists will be showing there. Then on to a lovely dinner and wine under the beautiful tent overlooking the valley on Penland's grounds while the main Friday night auction goes on. After this, its back for a quick cocktail at the Inn at Little Switzerland.

Auction Tent under the Penland Sky

Saturday, August 11th
The morning begins with coffee and breakfast at The Barns at Penland, where we will be treated to a show by the resident artists here at Penland. Always a highlight and much fun. from the we attend a show given by the Core Students where we will see the work of tomorrows most promising artists. On to the Saturday silent auction and artist chats....then on to the main festivities of the luncheon and live auction. This will definitely be the highlight of the weekend!

Resident Artist Barns at Penland

2 major works will be the big spotlight! One by Beth Lipman, one by Dan Clayman....both stunning!

Beth Lipman

Dan Clayman

After the auction we will head back to the Inn at Little Switzerland, where we will have time to freshen up before a lovely farewell cocktail and dinner party where you will be able to swap stories with the new friends you made on this spectacular trip!

Sunday, August 11th
travel day.....those that need a ride to the airport, we will arrange it.

Please give me this opportunity to show you why I hold this area of the country in such high esteem. I guarantee it will be a stupendous trip.

To reserve a space for this trip, its first come and space is limited. Contact Cecie at the James Renwick Alliance at admin@jra.org or call to 301- 907-3888

Tim Tate
Co-Director
Washington Glass School
3700 Otis St.
Mt. Rainier, Md. 20712
WashGlass.com