Gallery Visits, Polk County Drama, & Melrose Haunting

I'm taking a turn from the jammed packed run down of all the weekend's events to mull over a few ongoing exhibits I've enjoyed recently and muse about a couple of events that might just add a bit of spookiness to your Halloween week.

Time has been flying by and it's now been nearly two week's since I attended Charlie Hearon's art opening at the Saluda Senior Center. Even if he hadn't asked me to come bring my flute to "play a tune or two," I would have stopped by to see the display of hand-framed "dabblings." This whimsical assortment of watercolor critters and folk is like a full color companion to his "I Remember Saluda" book. If you missed the opening, you'll have to fill in the tales for yourself, but then maybe you'll find yourself inspired to write stories of your own.




Last weekend I managed to squeeze in two gallery openings located a block from each other in Landrum. I'd already had the chance to see a preview of the lush oil landscapes of Richard Nelson at the Old Conn Gallery space, but was intrigued by the final changes. Most striking was the portrait of an impetuous young girl gazing at me nearly life size from the seashore. I found myself stopping in the doorway to stare back at her to try to capture the story she seemed ready to tell me.

Down the street at Red Clover Gallery, Guntrum Gersch's abstract work took a departure from physical landscapes to emotional landscapes. My eye was immediately drawn to the pieces with whole circles in one corner that seemed calm in comparison to the wild movement of others. After walking through the gallery chatting with Guntrum I became more aware of the emotional language of his work and look forward to a chance to talk with him further. My favorite simile of the evening was hearing him explain how he knew a piece was finished. I might paraphrase it as such, "Like a set of scales where you balance the produce on one side with the weight on the other, when the external image balances with the emotion and vision I have inside then it is done."

While visiting these ongoing exhibits, here are a couple more events coming up to celebrate a spooky, yet safe, Halloween. For three performances only, the Polk County Drama department will be presenting the farce "One Mad Night" at the Tryon Fine Arts Center. Director Donna Everett has been madly pushing these teens to stretch themselves in comic roles ranging from a playwright seeking peace and quiet (Louis Rossi) in a house with talking ghosts to a possibly lunatic heiress (Elizabeth Willis). You can catch the wackiness Friday and Saturday at 8pm, or Sunday at 3pm. For tickets, please call the school at (828) 894-2525 extension 261. Tickets are also available one hour prior to each show at the TFAC box office.

Finally, bring the kids to the Melrose Inn on Halloween 5-9pm for a live action tour of a Victorian Voodoo Haunted House. This evening for the whole family is a benefit run for the Tryon Kiwanis with help from Tryon IGA, Dogwood Café, and US Foods. All proceeds from donations will go to fund the building of a playground for Tryon Elementary. Designer Tony Mayse brings 16 years of Haunted House experience to the Inn. Local artists from the Thursday Talent Night will be adding their creative mischief to the mix. Kids three and up will be wrangled into tour groups by age and guided through the house where a "Voodoo Queen" has taken over and started causing some spooky events to occur. The 4-5 minute tour will conclude with a trip to the Courtyard party where there will be games like bobbing for apples, arts & crafts, and, of course, plenty of candy. Adults may even find a few Halloween spirits themselves at the cash bar. For more information call the Melrose Inn at 859-7014.