New works by Raleigh, NC artist Chantal Tomiello will be featured at Sunset River Gallery in Calabash, NC in a one-woman show titled The Shape of Light. The exhibit includes 20 of her original acrylic pieces showcasing her popular abstracted landscapes, female figures, and several ballet motif paintings. Gallery director Samantha Spalti said, “Chantal knows just what to keep and what can fall away from her subjects, leaving the viewer to experience something that is both familiar and brand new. Her work is contemporary but feels equally at home in a traditional setting. It’s ideal for the eclectic homes and workspaces we find in coastal Carolina.” The show runs from Friday, Sept. 6 through Saturday, Oct. 12. An opening reception to meet and speak with the artist is set for Friday evening from 5 – 7 p.m. We hope to see you!
Chantal Tomiello works to be featured at Sunset River Gallery Sept. 7 – Oct. 26; opening reception 5 – 7 p.m.
The Promise by Chantal Tomiello, acrylic 24″x24″
New works by Raleigh, NC artist Chantal Tomiello will be featured at Sunset River Gallery in Calabash, NC in a one-woman show titled The Shape of Light. The exhibit includes 20 of her original acrylic pieces showcasing her popular abstracted landscapes, female figures, and several ballet motif paintings. The show runs from Friday, Sept. 6 through Saturday, Oct. 12. An opening reception to meet and speak with the artist is set for Friday evening from 5 – 7 p.m.
The French-Canadian born Tomiello says, “Deconstruction of a realistic subject into abstraction is something that inspires me. I want to break down what I see into simple shapes in order to reveal that one thing which brings wonder and excitement to my subject. I currently work with a limited palette of acrylics on multiple paintings at one time. This allows time and distance to find the magic, to play freely between canvases without being too focused on any one result. It’s also been interesting to me how line can impact a painting. It invokes a feeling of ‘unfinished’ and ‘raw,’ thus allowing the viewer to be a part of the painting’s history.”
Gallery director Samantha Spalti adds, “Chantal knows just what to keep and what can fall away from her subjects, leaving the viewer to experience something that is both familiar and brand new. Her work is contemporary but feels equally at home in a traditional setting. It’s ideal for the eclectic homes and workspaces we find in coastal Carolina.”
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 Betty Anglin Smith, Marcus McClanahan, Janet Sessoms, and Richard Staat, 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 five wheels used by the gallery’s pottery students. The gallery also offers ongoing oil/acrylic and watercolor classes as well as workshops by nationally known instructors.
The gallery’s carefully curated selection of investment-grade 20th century fine art is the largest in the Carolinas. Current inventory can be found in the gallery website’s 20th Century Artists section. It includes works by Wolf Kahn (1927-2020), Raimonds Staprans (1926), Angel Botello (1913-1986), Vladimir Cora (1951), Ginny Crouch Stanford (1950), and two bronze sculptures by Milton Hebald (1930 – 2010).
Six Thursdays from Sept 5 – Oct 10, 10:00-12:30 $150 | non-refundable
Please bring your own inspiration photo and supplies.
The course will begin with examination of reference photos and things to be aware of in your photos. We will learn how to see the important areas of your photo to help develop a likeness.
We will be discussing colors that will aid in telling the story. The painting process begins by building layers, saving your lights, adding darks and considering backgrounds.
You will be encouraged to work on more than one painting, but taking your time to really study your reference.
Instructor Brenda Riggins:
704-579-0157
brendariggins25@gmail.com
Join us for another evening of fine tunes and good company in the artistic atmosphere you can only experience here at Sunset River Gallery. AfterHours is a local band of seasoned jazz musicians. The popular ensemble brings their musical stylings to the gallery for two hours of jazz standards and the Great American Songbook. Jazz Night is held from 5 – 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Mark your calendars and plan to stop by! Sunset River Gallery is located at 10283 Beach Drive SW (NC 179) in Calabash, NC. Telephone number is 910.575.5999. Look for updates on the gallery’s Facebook page. (Image: detail, Cool Jazz by Yuriy Petrov)
This is a one-day wheel workshop with instructor Jamie Futera. Not without challenges, this class is for experienced clay artists. Participants will build this charming birdhouse. You’ll throw the main structure on the wheel and then apply the details by hand. Price includes bisque firing. $45. Nonrefundable.
Sunset River Gallery in Calabash, NC announces a new Small Works exhibition opening in June, just in time for the busy summer season, The group show will feature beachscapes,
Afternoon Refresh by Brenda Riggins
wildlife scenes, waterway paintings and more in a range of media – all measuring12 by 12 inches or smaller. Small Works is set to run from Friday, June 14 through Saturday, July 20.
Gallery director Samantha Spalti said, “Our visitors come from near and far to experience all that the gallery offers. Locals count on us for fine art for their homes and businesses. Visitors often seek local work that commemorates their trip here – especially if it travels easily. Sunset River Gallery offers a wonderfully eclectic mix. The Small Works show is ideal for any art lover who wants to take a small piece of the Carolina coast home with them. We invite everyone to come out for the opening reception on Friday, June 14 from 5 – 7 p.m. Enjoy some refreshments and meet the artists.”
Participating artists include Barbara Kohn (oil), Gary Baird (photography), Brenda Riggins (acrylic), Janet Sessoms (oil), Becky Steele (acrylic), Ophelia Staton (acrylic), Roseann Bellinger (acrylic), Clay Johnson (oil), Vicki Neilon (acrylic) Ruth Cox (oil), Kari Feuer (acrylic), Ortrud Tyler (oil), Rich Flanegan (oil), Abby Warman (oil), Rachel Jones (watercolor), Ginny Lassiter (acrylic), Diane White (oil), Debanjana Bhattacharjee (oil), Beryl Kirkpatrick (alcohol ink on tile), Vicki Neilon (acrylic), Judi Moore (acrylic), Linda Karaskevicus (acrylic), Donn McCrary (acrylic), Susan Nern (pastel), Nancy Hughes Miller (oil), Linda Thomas (mixed media), Janet Boschker (oil and cold wax), and Linda Hester (acrylic).
About Sunset River Gallery
Peaceful by Vicki NeilonFalling Ice Cubes by Donn McCrary
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 Betty Anglin Smith, Marcus McClanahan, Janet Sessoms, and Richard Staat, 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 five wheels used by the gallery’s pottery students. The gallery also offers ongoing oil/acrylic and watercolor classes as well as workshops by nationally known instructors.
The gallery’s carefully curated selection of investment-grade 20th century fine art is the largest in the Carolinas. Current inventory can be found in the gallery website’s 20th Century Artists section. It includes works by Wolf Kahn (1927-2020), Raimonds Staprans (1926), Angell Botello (1913-1986), Vladimir Cora (1951), Hunt Slonam (1951), Ginny Crouch Stanford (1950), and two bronze sculptures by Millton Hebald (1930 – 2010).
Upcoming Events
(Free unless noted)
Memorial Day
Monday, May 29
CLOSED
Form: Sculptural & Functional
Juried 3D show
Through Saturday, June 8
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Coffee With the Authors
Joshua McSwain (“The Misty Effect”)
Thursday, June 13
11 a.m – 12 noon
Pottery Workshop
Instructor Jamie Futera
Friday, June 14
10 a.m. – 1 p.m
$45
Pottery workshop
Instructor Jamie Futera
Friday, June 14
1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
$45
Opening Reception
Small Works Show
Friday, June 14
5 – 7 p.m.
Small Works Show
Friday, June 14 – July 20
11 a.m. – 5 p.m (regular hours)
Paint & Party
Beach Diptych
Wednesday, June 19
5:30 – 7:30
$35
Third Thursday Jazz
AfterHours Band
Thursday, June 20
5 – 7 p.m.
Independence Day
Thursday, July 4
CLOSED
Abstract Workshop
Instructor Ginny Lassiter
Saturday, July 13
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
$95
Summer Art Market
Artists on site, live demos, refreshments, gift certificate drawings
Join Ginny to explore this low-stress approach to painting abstracts. She will share insights into the elements of abstract, composition, color, and contrast. Working with a limited palette to create a cohesive design, you will have an opportunity to work on watercolor paper as well as a canvas for your final product. This workshop is designed for anyone new to abstract painting as well as those who want to experience a slightly different approach to their abstract process.
The gallery will provide all materials necessary: canvas (16×20); paints (acrylic); watercolor paper, brushes, tools, etc. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own brushes or a special size canvas.We will take a 30-minute break for lunch so bring a snack. Plan to be creative! $80. Nonrefundable.
Raleigh, NC-based artist Eric McRay’s much awaited collage show, which is titled Southern Comfort, opens Friday, July 26, 2024 with a public reception from 5 – 7 p.m. Please join us to meet Eric and hear his firsthand inspirations for this insightful exhibition of original collages. According to the artist he uses collage to expose visual storytelling while addressing the human figure as an entity of change in theatrical narratives. These chronicles are inspired by African-American, Biblical references, art history, and pop culture . . . yet, at the core, are McRay’s familial relationships. This continuum searches for personal and universal experiences.
McRay says, “Collage, one of the major innovations of modern art, is an artist inserting pieces of the real world into a constructed one.” He injects impromptu invention in the constructions of his collages, which include such materials as reproductions of his previous works, painted papers, photographic reproductions, snippets of photography, scraps of fabric, elements from magazines, and more. The different materials of everyday existence are edited, sliced, and reassembled into new images on paper, board, or canvas. These constructed worlds pull the viewer into a new reality. Collage empowers McRay to push the boundaries that allow the real world to infiltrate a painting, dissolve the conventions that separate art and life, high art and popular culture.
McRay’s artistic career has been featured on TV and radio programs, and in numerous newspapers, magazines and websites. The Raleigh News & Observer named him one of the “Artists to Watch”. Numerous times he has been listed among the “Best Local Artist” and “Favorite Local Artist”. McRay has received feature articles in Fortune Small Business, Art Business News, Our State Magazine and Southern Living Magazine.
Southern Comfort runs through August 31. We hope to see you here! Click here to watch Eric’s interview with the North Carolina Museum of Art.
Join us for another evening of fine tunes and good company in the artistic atmosphere you can only experience here at Sunset River Gallery. AfterHours is a local band of seasoned jazz musicians. The popular ensemble brings their musical stylings to the gallery for two hours of jazz standards and the Great American Songbook. Jazz Night is held from 5 – 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Mark your calendars and plan to stop by! Sunset River Gallery is located at 10283 Beach Drive SW (NC 179) in Calabash, NC. Telephone number is 910.575.5999. Look for updates on the gallery’s Facebook page. (Image: detail, Cool Jazz by Yuriy Petrov)
Coffee With the Authors
Thursday, May 9, 11 am – 12 noon
E.L. Boyer (“A Lie More Real than Truth”)
Liz Boyer worked as a registered nurse for 25 years before turning to literary pursuits. This is a work of fiction, however, the author’s curiosity about missing people spurred her to examine the possibility that a person could disappear and make a new life for herself.
Author Statement:“I attended Georgia State College as an English major. But medicine was my calling and I am very happy I had all of those years as a nurse. For five years I worked for a medical management company and was director of operations for three years. Then my husband retired and we moved to the coastal Carolina area. I enjoy playing golf, Mah Jongg, but most of all reading. I served as secretary for the local art council for 7 years and really enjoyed getting to know more about the art community. There are many artists and writers in the area I live in and they are extremely talented. The coastal area brings out one’s creativity. In 2020, I developed a syndrome known as Burning Mouth. It is exactly what it is named, the mouth burns constantly. I am in a couple of Facebook groups about it and the stories are sad but informative. I pray for all of those that are suffering with this syndrome. The hope is there will be a cure one day but there are so few people with it that it does not get the funding other more serious diseases receive and deserve. Writing helps divert my attention from this malady and I find comfort in creating characters and scenarios.”
Coffee with the Authors is a free event at Sunset River Gallery in Calabash, NC, but seating is limited. Please RSVP to 910.575.5999. Coffee, tea, and breakfast treats will be served.
The course will begin with examination of reference photos and things to be aware of in your photos. We will learn how to see the important areas of your photo to help develop a likeness.
