Collection of a Lifetime - Max Tharpe Photography
October 31, 2008

STATESVILLE — Iredell Museums proudly presents Max Tharpe Photography. The exhibit, representing a lifetime of work, will be held at the Court Street Gallery, 134 Court Street, in downtown Statesville from November 14 through February 28. An opening reception will be held Friday, November 14 from 6:00-8:00 pm. The exhibit will be open Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00-5:00. Admission is free of charge.
    Max Tharpe produced thousands of photographs that feature youth, family life and scenic beauty in Statesville and other western North Carolina communities during the 1940s, 50s and 60s.
   One community member recalls, “Max was everywhere with his camera: schools, churches, the local swimming pool, parades – wherever he could capture residents just being themselves. Many remember feeling a sense of excitement as Max came down the street with multiple cameras swinging around his neck."
    Tharpe’s poignant photographs have graced local, regional and national publications such as North Carolina Education, Popular Mechanics, Photography, Popular Photography, The State (now called Our State) as well as newspapers across the nation. Throughout his career, Tharpe was the recipient of numerous awards and distinctions. He was chosen “Photographer of the Year” by a panel of judges from Life magazine and Encyclopedia Britannica and other publications at the Southern Course in Press Photography in 1952.
    This exhibit marks the first time that Tharpe’s body of work has been assembled in a museum or gallery setting. Over 200 images will be featured from the Tharpe Collection at Mitchell Community College, Statesville. The exhibit will also include personal stories of individuals depicted.
   Max Tharpe Photography is made possible through the generous support of: Barbara & Eric Carle, Davis Regional Medical Center, Digital Celebrations, Iredell Arts Council, Iredell County Community Foundation, Piedmont Bank, Raymer Oil Company, Vallereux’s Photographic Art, Walker-Robinson-Clark Insurance and The Wilson Foundation.

Art from the Environment
September 2, 2008

STATESVILLE - Iredell Museums will present the work of Judy McNeill of Statesville, NC in an exhibit to be held at the Court Street Gallery, 134 Court Street, in downtown Statesville from September 12 through October 24.
    The opening reception for the artist and the kick-off party for the Downtown Statesville ART CRAWL will be held on Friday, September 12, from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. The reception is open to the public, free of charge. The Gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is free.
   McNeill, a painter and potter, has often stated "life gets in the way" when speaking of her artwork. McNeill utilizes a versatile water media technique that allows her to either work quickly or walk away for lengthy periods of time as she creates in the midst of her rich life. The exhibit will feature abstract paintings that were created over the last year while she balanced running a business and a household with serving as a primary caregiver.
   McNeill has studied various art forms at the Arrowmont School of Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN; Penland School of Crafts, Spruce Pine, NC; as well as Caldwell Community College and Mitchell Community College in North Carolina. Her works have been included in group exhibits throughout Western North Carolina and are included in collections such as the Asheville Museum of Art, the Cameron Art Museum, the Hiddenite Center and in private collections across the United States.

Art from the Environment
July 2, 2008

STATESVILLE - The works of David Hicks of Union Grove, NC, will be presented in exhibit at the Court Street Gallery in downtown Statesville from July 18 through August 22. The opening reception for the artist will be held on Friday, July 18 from 6-8 pm.
   Hicks, who has an organic need to be surrounded by art and beauty, creates from the environment in which he lives. Using found wood along, with reclaimed nails and hinges, Hicks creates one-of-a-kind furniture pieces from items found in his North Iredell County surroundings.
   The exhibit will feature not only unique furniture, but also paintings, pottery, photography and sculpture and will mark the first time that Hicks' body of work will be assembled in a one person show.
   Hicks has studied various art forms at the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA, the MOMA and the Art Student League in New York City and at Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC. His works have been included in exhibits in Atlanta, New York and San Francisco and are included in private collections across the United States as well as in Canada, Germany and Japan.
   Hicks recently completed a commission for Little Joe's Chapel at Barium Springs Home for Children, Barium Springs, NC that included a lectern, cross, communion table and two offering tables constructed from wood from the old bleachers at the Home.
   Proprietor of Jennings Store in Union Grove, NC since 1982, Hicks is dedicated to preserving local heritage and supporting local artists. To view more of his work, visit: www.iredellarts.org/davidhicks/

Visual Journeys of Janet Burgess
May 21, 2008

STATESVILLE - A collection of "Reflections" will feature the paintings and mixed media works of Janet Burgess at the Court Street Gallery from May 30 through June 27.  An opening reception for the artist will be held Friday, May 30 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
    Burgess, who shares time between Statesville, NC and Ontario, Canada, is an explorer at heart who probes emotions and ideas through her work. Her paintings and mixed media installations serve as reflections, or visual journeys, documenting her search for understanding. Her "Reflections" exhibit explores topics which many share — orthopedic conditions, social histories and raw emotions.
    Burgess received a BA from Western Carolina University and an MA from Columbia University. She has exhibited throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Hungary and Japan. Her works are included in North Carolina collections such as the State Department of Human Resources, Sandhills Arts Council and Western Carolina University, along with collections in Florida and Hungary.
    To view other works by Burgess, visit www.janetburgess.com.

Art in Bloom Goes Green With Organic Flower Arrangements
March 18, 2008

STATESVILLE - , Iredell Museums will hold it's annual Art in Bloom spring fundraising event on Thursday, April 3, 2008 from 9:00am until 1:00pm at the Statesville Civic Center, 300 North Center Street, Statesville, NC.
    The featured speaker will be Marjorie Imus of MingleWood in Winston-Salem. Imus' passion for flowers blossomed after fifteen years in the organic farming business with her husband Bill. What began as MingleWood Farms, a supplier of produce and flowers to area restaurants and active participant in the local farmers market, naturally progressed into the flower business. As the demand for flowers became equal to the demand for produce, MingleWood Farms began supplying organic flower arrangements to area restaurants and businesses.
    "We are excited to have a local organic farmer featured at our spring fundraising event," says Theresa Golas, Executive Director of Iredell Museums. "Marjorie has so many tips to offer that will not only help us learn how to make unique table arrangements, but will also help us to cultivate our own gardens."
        Imus is a graduate of Haywood Community College in Clyde, NC. She lives on her farm in Westfield, NC with her husband and two children. MingleWood Flowers, Plants & Gifts opened to the public in October 2006. Now, well established in the greater Triad area, MingleWood specializes in unique flower arrangements and planters, special events and gifts for the garden lover.
    Art in Bloom began in 1994 when the late Amy Steele, a tireless volunteer and passionate advocate of the arts, conceived of an event to raise funds for the former Iredell Museum of Arts and Heritage. Fourteen years later, the idea has grown into not only the premier fundraising event for the merged Iredell Museums, but also a much-anticipated annual program. Built around a knowledgeable and entertaining guest speaker with expertise in floral design and arrangement, the event also includes a bake and gift sale and a silent auction featuring original works of art, boutique items and special personal services.
    The ticket price of $35 includes admission to the event, morning refreshments and a catered lunch. Tickets can be purchased at Iredell Museums.
    Members of the Art in Bloom committee include Susan Bellingham, Lisa Bograd, Sandra Campbell, Theresa Golas, Anna Gordon, Becky Hill, Janis Hilton, Louise Hunter, Re Johnston, Teresa Kutteh, Alyson McCall, Shelly McElwee, Tammy Pressly, Kathi Rankin, Michelle Rokes, Rebecca Wade, Sue Walser and Michelle Warren.

Unconstrained and Unconventional Work of Landianne Mandel
March 3, 2008

STATESVILLE - Iredell Museums will present the multi-media work of Ladianne Mandel of Cornelius, NC. The exhibit will be held at the Court Street Gallery, 134 Court Street, in downtown Statesville from March 14 through April 11, 2008. The opening reception for the artist and the kick-off party for the Downtown Statesville ART CRAWL will be held on Friday, March 14, 2008, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The reception is open to the public, free of charge. The Gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is free of charge.
   Ladianne Mandel is an artist unconstrained by either conventional thought or materials. Explosively creative, and almost obsessively driven to work, Mandel has exhibited in North Carolina, New York and Ohio. She has created a diverse body of artwork including films; paintings on both canvas and paper; drawings; vitreographic prints; and sculptures.
   The exhibit will include detailed abstract works on paper which range in size from one inch in length to more than 85 inches in length. Additionally, the exhibit will include a sculptural piece entitled "Artemis," a work which took Mandel 13 months to create by painstakingly applying thousands of beads with tweezers.
   Also a writer, Mandel has written one play entitled "Undone" and is currently working on her second. In 2006, Mandel was awarded the North Carolina Wisteria Prize for Poetry and her collection of poetry, "Play Them Bones," was published by The Paper Journey Press of Chapel Hill, NC. Additional works of fiction and poetry have been included in various anthologies.
   Mandel blogs on her website at www.Ladianne.com

Art Crawl Applications Available
January 18, 2008

STATESVILLE - Downtown Statesville Development Corporation is accepting applications from artists who wish to participate in the Friday, March 14, 2008 Downtown Statesville Art Crawl which will be held from 5-9 pm. The deadline for applications is February 19th. Applications are available by CLICKING HERE.
   Artists must submit digital images of their work, along with the application and specify the medium they use. All work must be original and attributed solely to the participating artist. The Artist Fee for this event is $20.00 and artists are responsible for all items required to display artwork in their assigned location.
   This event is brought to you by Downtown Statesville Development Corporation and sponsored by the Iredell Arts Council, Iredell Museums and the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce.
   For more information about this event, contact the Downtown Statesville Development Corporation at 704-878-3436 or email: info@downtownstatesvillenc.org.

Addie James Thinks Happy
January 9, 2008

STATESVILLE -As part of its mission to preserve, promote and provide learning experiences in culture, heritage, and the arts, Iredell Museums will present the folk art paintings of Addie James of Statesville, NC.
    The exhibit will be on display at the Court Street Gallery, 134 Court Street, in downtown Statesville from January 18 through February 29, 2008. An opening reception for the artist will be held on Friday, January 18, 2008, from 6 pm to 8 pm.
   Although she has experienced a fair amount of pain in her life, Addie James' work is a colorful display of the joys of life. From images painted on old chairs and purses to book bindings and windows, the bright colors featured in Addie's work can, in her words, "make you think happy instead of down." Most renowned for works centered on her belief that there is an angel for everyone, Miss Addie's drawings and paintings also depict images of most anything that crosses her mind. Over 40 works in the exhibit depict not only images of angels, but also flowers, women dressed in their "goin' out on the town" clothes, a couple expecting a baby, children playing, and women doing domestic chores. Many of the works include Addie's handwritten signature as well as the pictorial signature of "Little Addie."
   Born in Anderson, SC in 1943, Addie James was raised in Statesville, NC. A self-taught artist, Miss Addie has been drawing for as long as she can remember on whatever she can find. Her work has been featured in exhibitions in Davidson and Asheville, NC, Washington D.C., New York, and San Francisco and is included in private collections throughout the Eastern U.S. as well as in Paris and Barcelona.
   The Addie James Exhibit is funded in part by the N.C. Arts Council's GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM through the Iredell Arts Council. The exhibit is part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration - Many Cultures, One Community organized by partners American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont, IMPACT, Iredell Museums, Mitchell Community College, Mi Familia Institute, Mt. Pleasant A.M.E. Zion Church, Priority House, Statesville Branch NAACP, Statesville Chamber of Commerce, Statesville Housing Authority, Statesville Human Relations Council, Statesville Skills Center, Teen Health, Weed & Seed, WHEEL Inc., and the YMCA of Iredell County.
    The Gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, but will be closed on Monday, January 21, 2008 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday. Admission is free of charge. The reception is also open to the public, free of charge.

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