Wonderful World

The Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League, along with ArtSpace Charter School, presents the Wonderful World exhibit, which will be on display at the Red House Studios and Gallery from March 17 through May 8, 2023. This exhibit will feature artwork from SVFAL artist members as well as from students of ArtSpace. ArtSpace Charter School is a K-8 educational facility, located in Swannanoa, North Carolina. It was founded in 2001, and currently has approximately 400 enrolled students. Check out their website (artspacecharter.org) to read more about what they have to offer.

What makes this a wonderful world? Peggy King, one of SVFAL’s artists, said, “Artists were challenged to create work that celebrates our fantastic and phenomenal world.” The artist’s diverse views are expressed through a variety of mediums, including oil and acrylic painting, collage, mixed media, photography, jewelry, and sculpture. The artists were encouraged to immerse themselves in the aspects of nature that intrigue or stir them, and to share that emotion through their art. They explored naturally occurring colors, textures, and forms. Suggested topics to explore included animals, fish, people, plants, trees, mountains, glaciers, valleys, streams, atoms, neutrons, amoebas, clouds, heaven, earth, and/or anything else that is part of our wonderful world. The Red House Studios and Gallery is excited to share their gallery space and to support our youth who are pursuing art in its many forms. Instilling a love of art, and an appreciation for all that art encompasses, is something that our artists are passionate about.

Andrea Stutesman, co-chair of SVFAL’s Gallery Committee, explains: “Art is a reflection of the world around us. Creating art allows us to communicate our thoughts, moods, feelings, and experiences, emphasizing our imagination and inspirations. Our goal as a community should be to support and encourage our youth to expand their views and convey their ideas for a better world.”

Before the onset of Covid in 2020, Red House partnered on an exhibit with ArtSpace Charter School led by their instructor and artist, Lacey Brown. And now, three years later, they’ve come together again to share their artistic vision of this world we inhabit.

The exhibit opens Friday, March 17, 2023, during the regular hours at the Red House from 11 am to 4 pm. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, March 18 from 3 pm to 5 pm. There will also be a mid-show reception held on Friday, April 14, from 5 pm to 7 pm. Light refreshments will be served at both receptions. Everyone is welcome to attend, and to wander through the eclectic building that houses the Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League. The SVFAL also encourages you to visit the working studios on the first and second floors of the Red House where some of their artists have artwork on display, some works in progress, as well as items available for purchase.

The Red House Studios and Gallery is open every day from 11 am - 4 pm, and is located in Black Mountain, North Carolina, at 310 West State Street, just 2 blocks west of Cherry Street. They can be reached at 828-669-0351 or emailed at svfal.info@gmail.com. Check out their classes and other offerings on their website at svfalarts.org.