Boone and the arts
Wednesday, 05 October 2011 18:54
The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts is the largest facility of its kind in western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee and southwestern Virginia. Exhibitions focus on a blend of new and historically important artwork and feature works of nationally and internationally renowned artists, as well as many of the finest artists of the region. The center is featured on the Downtown Boone First Friday Art Crawl, held from 7 to 9 p.m. the first Friday of each month through December.
Guided docent tours are held every second Saturday at 2 p.m. Upcoming exhibitions include R. Martin Stamat’s “Northmost,” focusing on the role of nature, microcosms, and found objects that took hold of his imagination as a child and Val Lyle’s “Sanctuary,” a traveling body of work that continues the artist’s exploration about what it means to be a human being in Appalachia.
Music lovers will want to check out the school’s Performing Arts Series, which will feature the band KANSAS performing with The Appalachian Symphony Orchestra, the Soweto Gospel Choir, and the Punch Brothers with Christ Thile in coming months. Live music often can be found in the bars and restaurants close to campus, including Galileo’s Bar and Café, which typically hosts shows on Thursday and Saturday nights—though note that Friday brings Jager Bombs, Jello shots, and karaoke.
Downtown is where shoppers will find a handful of galleries and art co-ops with a wide-range of works. Don’t miss ArtWalk, located in the remodeled the H. W. Horton Building built in 1924, where the works are funky and affordable, and seek out Hands Gallery, where members’ fine works include basketry, jewelry, woodwork, pottery, and more. Also visit Doe Ridge Pottery to find functional and decorative stoneware handmade by potter Bob Meier on site.
Those with an artistic bent also will want to visit Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff, which sells supplies and offers professional quality workshops including October’s West Meets the East-watercolor and Chinese painting.
