Tactile sculpturama, colorful Parrish, and Weird Mojo

I finally took some time off from work to visit the Sculpturama exhibit at the Tryon Fine Arts Center Gallery I and the Maxfield Parrish collection at Upstairs Artspace this week.

It was a cloudy day and so to walk in to the TFAC Gallery and see Luke Lichterman’s “Around Here the Sun is a Happy but Serious Fellow” again was like meeting an old friend sharing a cheerful smile. I recognized the names of local artists Richard Conn and Dale McIntyre who I had previously seen as well as the work of Lee Futrell who had an exhibit of sculpture in the front room of the Upstairs Gallery last year. I found myself drawn to the marble work of McIntyre, Lichterman’s “Gentle Breeze” wood carving, and a hanging sculpture I stared at for quite a while without grabbing the artist’s name, only that the title included “Teacher.” Then I noticed that some sculptures had ribbons and some didn’t and most of the ones I had been drawn to didn’t. I began looking at the ribbon wearing pieces and comparing them to the ones that I liked and trying to figure out what made them “better.” What I began to realize was, that the same way each artist has a unique look and feel to their art work, you could identify common characteristics among the selections that revealed the judges’ taste in sculpture. While I preferred the smooth carved pieces from natural materials, the winners we more likely to include metal and inclined to make you step back and think rather than reach out and touch. Take a moment this week to see these fine pieces of sculpture for yourself and discover what types of sculpture appeal to your personal senses.

Walking into the Upstairs Artspace was a completely different, but equally refreshing experience. I felt energized by all the color and detail of Parrish’s illustrations. The wide range of the collection showed the whimsy of his children’s book illustrations such as “Dinky Bird.” At the same time pieces like “Stars” and “Serenity” seemed to fill me with a sense of comfort just by looking at them. It was nice to have the gallery to myself that afternoon so I could take the time to look closely at the detail of the work as well as step back and get an overall feeling for the collection. However, I can’t help but find myself curious about how Harriet and J. Alan Peoples acquired such an amazing collection of one artist’s work. To answer just this question Upstairs Artspace will be hosting a free evening with Alan Peoples on Tuesday March 25 at 7 p.m. entitled “The Passionate Collector” where Alan will share secrets about collecting from acquiring and determining value to maintaining, storing, displaying and even bequeathing a collection.

Over the weekend I collected musical experiences playing kazoo with the Two Man Gentleman Band from New York at Jack of the Wood in Asheville and picking out some tunes with friends at the Gallery Coffeehouse. I strolled into Elmo’s to hear Red Dog, Winkie, and Friends on St. Patrick’s Day with their crowd pleasing “blues to Buffet” set. It was a pleasurable surprise to see that seven years of tossing pizzas had done nothing to dull Tom’s bass playing chops.

This weekend offers a chance for music lovers of all styles to get their fix. Tonight you can catch the clever balladeer Nick Annis at the Purple Onion or stop by Friday and marvel at the jazz virtuosity of pianist Fred Whiskin. Saturday night Purple Onion gets “countrified” with the talented and lively Buckerettes from Asheville.

Pick out a few tunes yourself at the Gallery Coffeehouse for their monthly Listening to Coffee open mic Friday. Or pull out your dancing shoes for Freeway South at the Saluda Mountain Jamboree on Saturday.

If the weather kept you from getting to FENCE to hear Weird Mojo at the benefit for Chip Anderson last weekend, stop in for a bit of their high energy entertainment Saturday night at Elmo’s. Around 8:30 p.m. Susie Kocher will light up the room singing and dancing with her tambourine while guitarist Steve Whiteside, bassist Hank, and drummer Mike play a wide variety of rock, blues, and country favorites.

The theatre scene cranks up next weekend with The Fantasticks opening next Thursday March 27 at Tryon Little Theatre’s Workshop. Be sure to get your tickets early for this exciting musical since seating is limited in the intimate workshop space. Also, make plans to bring the whole family downtown Saturday March 29 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. for the 30th Annual Super Saturday Children’s Festival. Magicians, jugglers, storytellers, and theatre and more will delight your senses in the various venues.