On Saturday, March 7 at 1 p.m., Sunset River Gallery in Calabash, NC will host a gallery talk by Therese Bisceglia, Kathleen V Stuart, Michelle McKnight Davis, and Kathleen Spicer. The four artists are being featured in the gallery’s current show, Distinctive Aesthetics: Exploring Four Artistic Narratives, which has recently been extended to run through March 28.
These are four good friends with four wildly different approaches to their art – the common thread being that they each upend the
concept of mixed media, using tools and materials to build their layered pieces in very unexpected fashion. Armed with equipment more often associated with an industrial workroom, they create breathtaking art that leaves the viewer spellbound.
Bisceglia says bluntly, “I like chaos. I’m a collector of everything and I use it in my art. Ephemera … I find old posters, cereal boxes, jewelry, frame molding. I often start by collaging. Much of my work unfolds intuitively as I grapple with personal dilemmas and thoughts.”
Stuart, originally from Saskatchewan, Canada, works in fiber and encaustic (hot wax). She said, “I try to create the natural world by molding and shaping fibers into trees, flowers, rocks and more!” It’s not unusual to find her adding final touches with a blow torch.
Davis comes from a family of artists. She explains, “I grew up at my mother’s easel. I create oil paintings that explore the layered intersections of identity, mythology, and history.” Sometimes she incorporates embroidery into the work – bullion stitches, French knots, satin and cast on stitches.
Working from her home studio in Conway, SC, Spicer meshes sculpture and painting into a new category of free formed relief painting. “My work is semi-abstract,” she says. “I’m inspired by nature and the colors that surround me. Many of my forms have botanical references. I use a jig saw to cut out the forms which I paint with layers of oil paint.”
This gallery talk is a free event, but seating is limited, so attendees are requested to RSVP to Sunset River Gallery at 910.575.5999. After an introduction by gallery director Samantha Spalti, a panel discussion among the artists coupled with Q&A from the audience is sure to result in a lively exchange.
About Sunset River Gallery
Located in coastal Brunswick County, NC, Sunset River Gallery caters to both area visitors and a growing local community of full-time residents seeking fine art for their homes and businesses. Featuring works by over 100 fine regional artists including Chantal Tomiello, Janet Sessoms, and Clay Johnson, among others, the gallery is well known in the area for its selection of oil paintings; watermedia; pastels; photography; hand-blown, stained, and fused glass; pottery and clay sculpture; turned and carved wood; unique home décor items; and artisan jewelry.
There are two onsite kilns and six wheels used by the gallery’s pottery students. The gallery also offers ongoing oil/acrylic and watercolor classes as well as workshops by regionally and nationally known instructors.
In 2022, Sunset River Gallery acquired Cordier Auctions, a premier auction house, which regularly holds estate and consignment auctions of fine and decorative art; coins, sterling, and fine jewelry; real estate; antiques, firearms and militaria, and more. Information about appraisal to auction can be obtained by emailing appraisal@sunsetrivergallery.com
Sunset River Gallery is located at 10283 Beach Drive SW (NC179) in Calabash, NC. Telephone: 910.575.5999. Website: https://sunsetrivergallery.com . Regular gallery hours are Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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