New and upcoming arts exhibits

Posted on by Thomas Calder
SILENCING THE CRITICS: Artist Joseph Pearson painted “In the Eyes of the Beholder” to counter the criticism about Black gymnast Gabby Douglas' hair. Created in 2012, the work is now part of an exhibit under the same title. Painting by Pearson

Is the cold weather leaving you a tad sluggish and uninspired? Perhaps a little local art might fix your wintertime blues. Whether it’s indulging in the moon’s mysteries or remembering the many subtle ways beauty can appear, several new exhibits remind residents that inspiration comes in many shapes and forms.

In the Eyes of the Beholder

Asheville artist Joseph Pearson joins Rutherford County artist Roscoe Conn in the new exhibit, In the Eyes of the Beholder. The show’s title comes from one of Pearson’s featured paintings, inspired by gymnast and 2012 Olympic all-around champion Gabby Douglas. According to Pearson, Douglas received worthy praise during her 2012 Olympic performance, but a few commenters “complained about the texture of her hair.” Incensed, Pearson created his painting in response to the insensitive and unnecessary remarks.

The exhibit runs Saturday, Feb. 6- Monday, March 15, at Upstairs Artspace, 49 S. Trade St., Tryon. Free. For more information, visit avl.mx/8xc.

Meeting the Moon

SATELLITE: Helen Gerardia’s “Moonlight,” circa 1965, is one of several works currently on display at the Asheville Art Museum’s latest exhibit, Meeting the Moon. Photo courtesy of the Asheville Art Museum

The Asheville Art Museum’s latest exhibit, Meeting the Moon, explores humankind’s ongoing fascination with Earth’s lone satellite. The collection features several North Carolina artists, including Dirck Cruser of Asheville.

“Meeting the Moon offers the opportunity to combine science and popular culture with works of art in the museum’s collection,” notes associate curator Whitney Richardson in a press release. “I think all visitors will find something that draws them into this exhibition, whether it’s the artwork, poetry, music or science of space travel.”

Meeting the Moon runs Wednesday, Feb. 3- Monday, July 26, at the Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square. General admission is $15. To learn more, visit avl.mx/8×7.

Weizenblatt Gallery’s February exhibit

MIXED MEDIA: In addition to being an artist, Cyrus Glance is a nurse. Many of his works are inspired by individuals he meets while on rotation, including “Davidson (The Underground Cafe) 6/28/19,” featured. Sketch by Glance; image courtesy of Mars Hill University

Asheville artist Cyrus Glance’s latest drawings and watercolors depict friends, family and strangers alike. The series is now on display at Mars Hill University’s Weizenblatt Gallery. A press release from the university describes Glance’s work as “raw, powerful and honest.”

The exhibit runs through Thursday, Feb. 25, at Mars Hill University’s Weizenblatt Gallery, 79 Cascade St., Mars Hill. Free. To learn more, visit avl.mx/8×8.

Artists of the foothills

FROM THE FOOTHILLS: Works from several North Carolina foothills artists are on display at the Southern Highland Craft Guild, including this piece by Ann Gleason. Photo courtesy of Southern Highland Craft Guild

The Southern Highland Craft Guild is currently showing Thermal Belt: Artists of the Foothills, its first exhibit of 2021. As the title suggests, featured artists live and work in the North Carolina foothills. Disciplines represented include bladesmithing, copper textured bronze, hand-built and wheel-thrown ceramics, glass lampwork, jewelry, quilting, weaving, wooden furniture, woodcarving and woodturning.

Thermal Belt runs through Sunday, May 9, at the Folk Art Center, Milepost 382, Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville. Free. Learn more at, avl.mx/8xb.

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About Thomas Calder
Thomas Calder received his MFA in Fiction from the University of Houston's Creative Writing Program. His writing has appeared in Gulf Coast, the Miracle Monocle, Juked and elsewhere. His debut novel, The Wind Under the Door, is now available.
View all posts by Thomas Calder →

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One thought on “New and upcoming arts exhibits”

  1. Sarah Williams

    The artists you have shown are fantastic artists, but have you see the work of Irene Pickens and Ernest Mapp. They are indeed wonderful local artists.

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