Featherfrost Gives a Warm Finish

With its decorated evergreen tree, candy-cane fence and fresh snowfall, the Avery Arts Council Gallery is set for the holiday season.

The gallery will be open Wednesday through Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m., through December (weather permitting). The gallery will then close and re-open in April 2011 with new artwork and programs.

Until then, the arts council presents the exhibit, Featherfrost, featuring new works by and collaborations between Barbara Timberman and Amy Cooke.

Timberman is a well known and well loved artist who has lived and painted in the mountains of Western North Carolina since 1970. She taught studio art at Mayland Community College, Lees-McRae College, and presently at Grandfather Golf and Country Club.

Timberman alternates between realism and abstract naturalism. This exhibit features her newest venture, mixed-media artwork, in collaboration with artist Cooke.

The artworks feature unusual materials, such as copper, feathers and beetle wings. With birds as the inspiration, the art was created by each artist starting each piece, and then giving it back and forth to one another.
Cooke said, "It's a wonderful way to expand artistic possibilities".

Speaking of possibilities, visitors to the gallery will also get to experience Cooke's Singing Scarves, hung outside on the porch beams. The scarves are the artist's re-interpretation of ones made by the Karen tribe of Southeast Asia. With beetle wings attached on the ends, they "sing" in the breeze and remind the viewer that the possibilities for artistic expression are endless.

Also in the gallery for the month of December are holiday decorations and hand-crafted holiday gifts. The gallery now carries RagBags, stylish "One-of-a-Kind Re-Creation" handbags made alternately from felted wool sweaters, fabric, carpet, and even brassieres. There is also jewelry from Sheila Black, woven reindeer, and a host of artistic creations for everyone.

Although the arts council will not hold exhibitions until April, it will be hosting a variety of events at the gallery during the winter. Check http://www.averycountyartscouncil.org or call (828) 733-0054 for our December hours and for info on upcoming events, such as workshops, studio sessions and fundraisers.