An Artful Life

Running by Monika Teal
Running by Monika Teal

An Exhibition of Master Artists at the AAAC

An exhibition at the Asheville Area Arts Council’s art gallery features seven master artists.

This exhibition is part of the Asheville Area Arts Council’s program “Point of View: Artists Curate Artists,” which was founded in 2013. The show will run from Friday April 8 through Saturday May 14. The public is invited to a free reception on Friday evening April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. At the reception, you’ll see selections from each of the artists’ collections, be provided refreshments, and enjoy live swing music.

The theme of the show is “An Artful Life,” which focuses on honoring, recognizing, and showcasing some of our area’s lifelong artists. The seven contributing highly accomplished master level artists in this show are Diane LaRose, Bob Martin, Jean Wall Penland, Bernie Segal, and Monika Teal with the co-curators Nadine Charlsen and Fleta Monaghan.

The Geezer Gallery, a new program at the Council on Aging of Buncombe County, is producing this exhibition of local master artists. The program provides a free 10-week creative arts program to low income older adults and creates opportunities for area senior artists to exhibit and sell their work. This show marks the program’s first annual exhibition of Master Level visual artists.

Dr. Turner Goins, the Program Director, stated, “We live in an amazing arts community; our program takes advantage of this, honors lifelong artists and brings creative arts to more older adults. When we first approached the Arts Council a little over a year ago, they expressed a strong interest in supporting this project. We could not be more pleased about this partnership with the Asheville Area Arts Council and to have these exceptional artists exhibiting. It is thrilling to sponsor this show, and be a part of the joining of missions between our two Buncombe County nonprofits.”

Painter Diane LaRose commented, “New and unique, everything today is about young and new. So it’s a constant struggle for an older artist to appear old and relevant. The Geezer Gallery is providing an opportunity to show my work, that’s why I paint, to share my vision, and the Geezer Galley is giving me the venue to share my work.”

Bernie Segal, an accomplished sculptor commented, “…it means that I’m getting the recognition that I deserve and you can do anything you want. …it’s always good to be chosen.”

www.geezergallery.com

If You Go: An Artful Life, opening reception, Friday, April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. On display at the Asheville Area Arts Council’s art gallery, 1 Page Ave., #144, in the historic Grove Arcade. Visit ashevillearts.com for more information.