Haywood Professional Crafts 2006 Graduate Exhibition at ARTS & Heritage Gallery at Grove Arcade; March 25 – May 7, 2006

The graduating class of Haywood Community College’s Professional Crafts department will show their best work in an exhibition at the Grove Arcade ARTS & Heritage Gallery. The exhibit opens March 25 with a reception. The show runs through May 7.

The juried exhibit includes work from 21 graduates. It features sculptural, utilitarian and decorative objects in textiles, metals, wood and clay. An opening reception will take place on Saturday, March 25, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Graduate Exhibition has become an eagerly anticipated regional event that offers the students practical experience in preparing for a public exhibition and provides visitors the opportunity to appreciate the work of emerging artists. It is the professional debut for many exhibiting craftspeople and the college makes involvement in the installation, organization and publicity of the exhibit part of the coursework for the professional crafts students. Catharine Ellis, Haywood Community College fiber instructor, says, "For some of our students, this exhibit is their first chance to show their best work on a professional level. The students have been working diligently to get ready for this show."

Flyswatters by Robb Helmkamp

About the Artists
Participating artists include fiber artists Louise Grenell and Johnetta Heil; metalsmiths Una Barrett, Erin Goode, Lynn Lovell and John Walker; wood artists Arnold Adams, Jacque Allen, Erin Griffin, Robb Helmkamp, Lucas Hundley, Chris Schwab and Jim Thomson; and potters Shawn Bossel, Kathleen Clarke, Linda Falcone, Trista Hudzik, Marie Judy, Kathie Kline, Mindy McCormick and Maria Morgan.

About the Gallery
The Grove Arcade ARTS & Heritage Gallery offers free public programs and demonstrations in a recently-opened, adjacent education space. The following students will demonstrate during the run of the exhibition: weaver Johnetta Heil; metalsmiths Lynn Lovell, Una Barrett and Erin Goode; potter Kathy Clarke; and wood artist Chris Schwab. Former Haywood graduates Neal Howard and Doug Smith, among others, will also take part in the educational programs. Demonstrations take place each weekend; Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. A schedule can be found at www.grovearcade.com.

About Haywood Community College
Haywood Community College is located in Clyde, NC. The Professional Crafts Program, now in its 29th year, is a two-year commitment, focusing on all aspects of becoming an independent craft professional. In addition to sharpening their technical and artistic skill in their chosen medium, students also create a marketable line of production work, plan a studio and become familiar with the craft market. Mandatory coursework includes photography of finished pieces for gaining entrance into craft shows, creating a business plan and designing and building a studio tailored to fit production needs. 

Classes are small with about 60 students in the consolidated program. Students enroll with or without experience in their chosen discipline. They come from the local community and across the United States as well as from other countries. They represent a broad range of ages and a variety of life experiences, with many pursuing crafts as a second or third career. The program of study is challenging and students spend the majority of their time concentrating on the work in the studios.

The program began in recognition of the strong heritage of craft in the region. The pottery studio was the first to open in 1974; the entire program was fully operational by 1977. The program is unique in the state of North Carolina as well as nationwide. For more information about the college, click here.

Gallery Hours
The Grove Arcade ARTS & Heritage Gallery, located in Suite 115 on O. Henry Avenue, is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5:00 p.m. For information about the gallery visit www.grovearcade.com or call 828-255-0775.

The Grove Arcade is located at One Page Avenue at the heart of the Battery Hill neighborhood of downtown Asheville and offers unique shopping, dining, fresh foods and regional crafts in one of Asheville’s architectural jewels.

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