Fused Glass
by Teresa Barnes
January 4, 2008 - February 28, 2008

Teresa Barnes has always been attracted to the color and sparkle of glass. As an accomplished artist she experiments with different forms and formulas to create amazing artwork using glass, heat and her imagination.

Glass fusing and slumping is the art of creating works both functional and artistic using colored glass. More versatile than leaded or stained glass because of the ability to shape and mold the glass, use colored glass powder to create shadow, and generally being able to paint with glass is very exciting. The results, whether fanciful character studies or a set of one of a kind sushi dishes all share the same dedication and attention to detail that has always been the hallmark of her work. Of course, the colors and sparkle are always there.

Learn more from Ms. Barnes' website.


   

Bookmaking
by Bob Meadows
March 1, 2008 - April 30, 2008

Bob Meadows has been a graphic designer for 40 years and a calligrapher for 20. He has been "seriously into" bookmaking since 2004. Bob has taught at numerous locations: calligraphy at Hunter Museum (Chattanooga) and at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga and Knoxville campuses; bookmaking at UT/Knoxville; and calligraphy and design workshops in Atlanta, Nashville, Chattanooga, and Huntsville, AL.

The book exhibit contains a wide variety of bindings, ranging from 4th century Ethiopian to traditional Japanese to contemporary. Covers include various watercolor techniques using salt, plastic wrap, splatter and more on watercolor and mulberry papers.

There are also papers sponged with acrylic paints, collages and techniques with stamps and watercolors. Some covers have panels using gesso and gel mediums with tissue papers. Some books have wooden covers. There is also a tiny book in a walnut shell and a tower of matchboxes containing miniature books.
   

Photography and Objets D'art
by the Docents and Staff of the
High Museum of Art
May 1, 2008 - June 30, 2008

Through the Eyes of a Child:
Romanian Children Artists
July 1, 2008 - August 31, 2008

In 1994 Romania chose a few children artists and their acclaimed teacher to be a cultural component of the World Cup soccer play in Los Angeles. The children, winners of many international art medals and honors, became the catalyst for an international educational program.

Each summer, Professor Stoica and her students have traveled to the U.S. to share their painting techniques with American children. The children visited Santa Fe and painted at the Museum of International Folk Art in the summer of 1998, and in 1999 and 2000 the children painted at the Woodruff Art Center in Atlanta. The following two summers they painted and taught at St. Matthew's Episcopal Parish Center in Pacific Palisades California. In 2003 and 2004 the Romanian Children Artists were hosted at Bethany Church in the Portsmouth, New Hampshire area. In the summers of 2005 and 2006 the program was hosted by the Northminster Presbyterian Church in Evanston, IL. They have been enthusiastically received each place they have visited. The program visited Atlanta for 3 weeks from June 29 through July 21, 2007 and will return in July of 2008.

The Romanian Children artists range in age from 9 to 18. While in Atlanta, the Romanian children will mentor American students in a two-week session honing their creative skills and building a bond of friendship through the international language of art.
The program, sponsored by Through the Eyes of a Child, Inc. promotes international understanding, builds friendships, and develops cultural sensitivity among children of different backgrounds and cultures.

For more information and to view paintings please visit www.romanianchildrenartists.org
   

Smyrna Area Artist Showcase
by SABA
September 1, 2008 - October 31, 2008

The Smyrna Artists' Business Association (SABA) will be exhibiting a collection of locally produced art from its members in the upstairs display cases. SABA supports Smyrna's thriving local artist community and strengthens Smyrna's identity as an artist's city and a city of art. The organization provides a forum that enables artists to share ideas, socialize, receive exposure & recognition and obtain assistance with opening new markets and connecting with new collectors.

Its local membership is comprised of a diverse and talented group whose artistic disciplines include: painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, graphic design, fashion design, music, dance, theater and more.

Membership is open to all local area artists. Monthly meetings at 6:30 PM are held on the second Tuesday of each month. See the website link below for details.

Learn more about SABA.
   

The Many Faces of Santa Claus
by Assorted Collectors
November 1, 2008 - January 2, 2009

Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Old St. Nick, Kris Kringle or just Santa is one of the most popular non-religious symbols of the holiday season.

However, Santa's origins are religious in nature and actually lay with a real St. Nicholas, a 4th century Greek Bishop from what is now Myra, Turkey.

Over the past 17 centuries Santa Claus and St. Nicholas have become intertwined and now symbolize a mythic folklore figure who delivers gifts to children on Christmas Eve around the world.

The modern depiction of Santa as a jolly fat man with white hair and a red suit is much younger than you may think. It only became popular in the 1880s as a result of Thomas Nast's widely published cartoons.

Join us and enjoy a variety of Santas from several private collections in many shapes, poses and activities that will brighten your holiday spirits in November and December.

The Many Faces of Santa Claus exhibit will feature over 30 Santas in free standing groupings, ornaments and hand carved originals including one with 4 faces!