Sarah E. Kucharski photo
At Number 7 Arts Co-Op a variety of mediums creates an eclectic and fascinating gallery experience.
Brevard is home to a truly exceptional arts community that offers a host of galleries, public art, live music and theater.
Just south of town is the Scenic 276 South Fine Art and Craft Corridor, which is home to 18 galleries, shops, restaurants and places to stay. Work your way down the corridor from Twin Willows to Hemlocks Studio over the course of a day or pick up a brochure and select from those that are most appealing. There’s lot of pottery to choose from. Mud Dabbers Pottery and Crafts offers family classes every afternoon and adult only classes in the evening every Saturday in the summer. Special pottery camps run in June, July and August. Dan Bresnahan works with indoor and outdoor sculpture including functional works such as gates, mirror frames and tables. High up on the mountain at Glass Feather Studio Gallery, the Travis family has been creating fine art fused glass since 1982. Other local artists also are featured with works in glass, metal, wood and photography, including that of Rob Travis whose images are available as framed prints, works on canvas, and note cards.
In the heart of Brevard, galleries of particular note include Red Wolf Gallery, Drew Deane Gallery and Number 7 Arts Co-op, which is an outreach of the Transylvania County Arts Council. The beautiful space on Main Street is filled with dolls, baskets, jewelry, paintings and more. It’s one of the best places in town to get an overview of what local artists have to offer. At Gravy, a collection of small booth type shops with many that are art-based, proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club.
Visitors walking downtown will inevitably stumble across at least one of the 16 life-sized animal sculptures found on Main, Gaston, Broad and Caldwell streets. They encourage viewers to learn more about these animals and modern impacts on their habitats. Seven sculptors created the works in bronze, copper, stone and steel.
Local artist and co-owner of Red Wolf Gallery, Ann DerGara, who also can be found in her studio on the Scenic 276 Corridor, conceived the Sculpture Walk, which was then funded through donations. DerGara’s work “Raccoons” is located on a rock in front of the Hollingsworth Building. Six other artists—Aaron Alderman, Steve Fox, Christine Kosiba, Richard Merrill, Kathryn Wilson and Chris Worley—have created a bobcat, monarch butterflies, black bear, blue heron, cougar, chipmunks, deer, elk, golden eagle, horses, ravens, a red fox, red wolf, white squirrels and wild turkey.
The Brevard Music Center holds its 2010 Summer Institute and Festival June 25-Aug. 8. Performances will include “Rave On!,” a homage to Buddy Holly, opera selections with conductor Keith Lockhard and mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, Beethoven’s Violin Sonatas, “Die Fledermaus,” The Harlem Quartet, Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” “Pirates of Penzance,” and “The Marriage of Figaro.”
The Institute and Festival bring in more than 400 students, ages 14 through post-college, to study with outstanding faculty and visiting guest artists of national and international acclaim. For the seven weeks of the Institute and Festival, students participate in a rigorous and enriching program of instruction including private lessons, large ensemble rehearsals, chamber music, and theory. Performances by Ricky Skaggs and Garrison Keillor round out the events at the BMC this summer.
Putting art to good use
Mountain Forest Studio always aims to be in good taste, and with that in mind Mary Murray shares some of her favorite recipes to bake and serve in her handmade pottery.
Double Cheese Dip
Combine two, softened, three-ounce packages of cream cheese with chives and two-thirds of a cup of ricotta cheese. Beat mixture until smooth. Add two ounces of finely chopped cooked ham and two teaspoons of Dijon-style mustard. Blend well. Pour into a pottery chip and dip platter. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours. Serve with crackers and celery sticks.
Baked Apples
Grease pottery apple baker. Place cored apple over spike. Dribble honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup in hollow and around apple. Sprinkle apple with a mixture cinnamon, nutmeg and butter. Place stuffed apple baker in cold oven, heat to 325 degrees and bake from 30-45 minutes. Serve with a dollop of ice cream. As an alternative tasty treat, crumble hard cookies in the bottom of the apple baker prior to placing the apple and seasonings.
Visit Mountain Forest Studio on the Scenic 276 Fine Art and Crafts Corridor at 2395 Greenville Highway. The studio is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. 828.885.2149.