Toe River Arts

Virtual Studio Tour: Amanda Taylor
2020-12-27 11:30 (America/New_York) | NC
December 27, 2020, 11:30AM: Overview of Glass Projects Created During Studio Tour
Live on YouTube
Attend HERE.
It has been great sharing with you my processes that I use to create my work. I will be showing you some of the finished pieces that I started during these live streams today. I want to thank everyone that has joined me on this journey and for Toe River Arts Council for giving us this opportunity during these trying times. I hope you all stay safe and healthy and I look forward to what the future brings for us all.
Amanda Taylor – Burnsville, NC
“My work explores the expressive possibilities of glass through variations in color, texture, light, and atmosphere. By drawing inspiration from nature, I use my kilnformed glass work as a way to create a sense of place and interpret the ever-present beauty that surrounds us all. My hope is that the work will spark a fond memory, and bring a sense of wonder and joy to each viewer.” — Amanda Taylor

Virtual Studio Tour: Amanda Taylor
2020-12-26 11:30 (America/New_York) | NC
December 26, 2020, 11:30AM: Unveiling of Mosaic Tile and Pate de Verre Vessel
Live on YouTube
Attend HERE.
The tada moment! Today I will be showing you the results of the mosaic tile after it has been fired, and also will be demolding the pate de verre vessel (from previous live streams). I will discuss what the next steps will be in order for me to finish these pieces.
Amanda Taylor – Burnsville, NC
“My work explores the expressive possibilities of glass through variations in color, texture, light, and atmosphere. By drawing inspiration from nature, I use my kilnformed glass work as a way to create a sense of place and interpret the ever-present beauty that surrounds us all. My hope is that the work will spark a fond memory, and bring a sense of wonder and joy to each viewer.” — Amanda Taylor

Virtual Studio Tour: Amanda Taylor
2020-12-24 10:00 (America/New_York) | NC
December 24, 2020, 10:00AM: Creating a Pate de Verre Vessel
Live on YouTube
Attend HERE.
During this demonstration I will be using the plaster/silica mold that I created in the previous video and placing glass into the mold using the Pate de Verre technique.
Amanda Taylor – Burnsville, NC
“My work explores the expressive possibilities of glass through variations in color, texture, light, and atmosphere. By drawing inspiration from nature, I use my kilnformed glass work as a way to create a sense of place and interpret the ever-present beauty that surrounds us all. My hope is that the work will spark a fond memory, and bring a sense of wonder and joy to each viewer.” — Amanda Taylor

Virtual Studio Tour: Amanda Taylor
2020-12-22 10:00 (America/New_York) | NC
December 22, 2020, 10:00AM: Moldmaking for Glass
Live on YouTube
Attend HERE.
During this demonstration I will be showing you how I create some of my plaster/silica molds that I use for creating pate de verre pieces, cast glass sculptures, etc. Today I will be making a mold that I will use on December 24 to create a pate de verre vessel.

Amanda Taylor – Burnsville, NC
“My work explores the expressive possibilities of glass through variations in color, texture, light, and atmosphere. By drawing inspiration from nature, I use my kilnformed glass work as a way to create a sense of place and interpret the ever-present beauty that surrounds us all. My hope is that the work will spark a fond memory, and bring a sense of wonder and joy to each viewer.” — Amanda Taylor

Virtual Studio Tour: Connie Karleta Sales
2020-12-20 19:00 (America/Halifax) | NC
December 20, 2020, 7PM: YouTube Premiere with live chat, discussing landscape painting.
Attend HERE.
Connie Karleta Sales – Bakersville, NC
“New miniature pieces will be available through Toe River Arts as well as inviting you into the studio via going live on YouTube and Facebook, as well as Zoom gatherings. I will answer questions, give demos and share my set up, and other interactive ways of connecting within the digital world.”
Keep up with Connie Sales throughout the Tour; click HERE for a full list of Connie’s online events.

Virtual Studio Tour: Amanda Taylor
2020-12-20 11:30 (America/New_York) | NC
December 20, 2020, 11:30AM: Fused Glass Mosaic Tile
Live on YouTube
Attend HERE.
Join me while I work on creating a two-sided fused glass mosaic panel. I will be adding glass pieces to the reverse side of a piece that has already been fused once. This technique gives you a unique layered mosaic piece.

Amanda Taylor – Burnsville, NC
“My work explores the expressive possibilities of glass through variations in color, texture, light, and atmosphere. By drawing inspiration from nature, I use my kilnformed glass work as a way to create a sense of place and interpret the ever-present beauty that surrounds us all. My hope is that the work will spark a fond memory, and bring a sense of wonder and joy to each viewer.” — Amanda Taylor

Virtual Studio Tour: Amanda Taylor
2020-12-18 10:00 (America/New_York) | NC
December 18, 2020, 10:00AM: Part 2 Glass Powder Wafer Landscape
Live on YouTube
Attend HERE.
Amanda Taylor will be demonstrating how she coldworks (grinding of the glass) her glass wafer landscape and will then be mounting it onto another piece of glass. It can then be hung on a wall.
Amanda Taylor – Burnsville, NC
“My work explores the expressive possibilities of glass through variations in color, texture, light, and atmosphere. By drawing inspiration from nature, I use my kilnformed glass work as a way to create a sense of place and interpret the ever-present beauty that surrounds us all. My hope is that the work will spark a fond memory, and bring a sense of wonder and joy to each viewer.” — Amanda Taylor

Virtual Studio Tour: Connie Karleta Sales
2020-12-12 15:00 (America/Halifax) | NC
December 12, 2020, 3PM: Zoom Hang Out – Free, but registration is required. Only five spots available.
Register HERE.
Connie Karleta Sales – Bakersville, NC
“New miniature pieces will be available through Toe River Arts as well as inviting you into the studio via going live on YouTube and Facebook, as well as Zoom gatherings. I will answer questions, give demos and share my set up, and other interactive ways of connecting within the digital world.”
Keep up with Connie Sales throughout the Tour; click HERE for a full list of Connie’s online events.

Virtual Studio Tour: Connie Karleta Sales
2020-12-11 12:00 (America/Halifax) | NC
December 11, 2020, 12PM: Zoom Hang Out – Free, but registration is required. Only five spots available.
Register HERE.
Connie Karleta Sales – Bakersville, NC
“New miniature pieces will be available through Toe River Arts as well as inviting you into the studio via going live on YouTube and Facebook, as well as Zoom gatherings. I will answer questions, give demos and share my set up, and other interactive ways of connecting within the digital world.”
Keep up with Connie Sales throughout the Tour; click HERE for a full list of Connie’s online events.

Virtual Studio Tour: Connie Karleta Sales
2020-12-06 19:00 (America/Halifax) | NC
December 6, 2020, 7PM: YouTube Video Premiere with Live Chat discussing Resilience and Flowers series.
Attend HERE.
Connie Karleta Sales – Bakersville, NC
“New miniature pieces will be available through Toe River Arts as well as inviting you into the studio via going live on YouTube and Facebook, as well as Zoom gatherings. I will answer questions, give demos and share my set up, and other interactive ways of connecting within the digital world.”
Keep up with Connie Sales throughout the Tour; click HERE for a full list of Connie’s online events.

Virtual Studio Tour Kickoff: Dori Settles
2020-11-29 14:00 - 18:00 (America/Halifax) | NC
November 29, 2020, 2 – 6PM
Register to attend HERE.
Dori Settles – Spruce Pine, NC
Join Dori Settles in her studio for a private tour. See where she works, as well as some of her glass paintings and sculptures.
“I am multi-passionate artist working primarily with salvaged (recycled) materials to bring awareness to the environment and encourage others to make small changes to create a positive impact. I work predominantly with glass, and enjoy the process of discovery, both in applying and merging techniques, as well as challenging my own limitations. My favorite techniques are rooted in both texture and depth—bas relief, pâte de verre and multiple layered vitreous enamel painting.” – Dori Settles

Virtual Studio Tour Kickoff: Dori Settles
2020-11-28 14:00 - 18:00 (America/Halifax) | NC
November 28, 2020, 2 – 6PM
Register to attend HERE.
Dori Settles – Spruce Pine, NC
Join Dori Settles in her studio for a private tour. See where she works, as well as some of her glass paintings and sculptures.
“I am multi-passionate artist working primarily with salvaged (recycled) materials to bring awareness to the environment and encourage others to make small changes to create a positive impact. I work predominantly with glass, and enjoy the process of discovery, both in applying and merging techniques, as well as challenging my own limitations. My favorite techniques are rooted in both texture and depth—bas relief, pâte de verre and multiple layered vitreous enamel painting.” – Dori Settles

Virtual Studio Tour Kickoff: Amanda Taylor
2020-11-28 11:30 (America/New_York) | NC
November 28, 2020, 11:30AM: Fused Glass Xmas Ornaments
Live on YouTube
Attend HERE.
Amanda Taylor will be demonstrating, with one of her students, how she creates some of her Xmas ornaments.
Amanda Taylor – Burnsville, NC
“My work explores the expressive possibilities of glass through variations in color, texture, light, and atmosphere. By drawing inspiration from nature, I use my kilnformed glass work as a way to create a sense of place and interpret the ever-present beauty that surrounds us all. My hope is that the work will spark a fond memory, and bring a sense of wonder and joy to each viewer.” — Amanda Taylor

Virtual Studio Tour Kickoff: Connie Karleta Sales
2020-11-27 15:00 (America/Halifax) | NC
November 27, 2020, 3PM: Live on YouTube
Attend HERE.
Connie Karleta Sales – Bakersville, NC
“New miniature pieces will be available through Toe River Arts as well as inviting you into the studio via going live on YouTube and Facebook, as well as Zoom gatherings. I will answer questions, give demos and share my set up, and other interactive ways of connecting within the digital world.”
Keep up with Connie Sales throughout the Tour; click HERE for a full list of Connie’s online events.

Virtual Studio Tour Kickoff: Connie Karleta Sales
2020-11-27 12:00 (America/Halifax) | NC
November 27, 2020, 12PM: Live on Facebook
Attend HERE.
Connie Karleta Sales – Bakersville, NC
“New miniature pieces will be available through Toe River Arts as well as inviting you into the studio via going live on YouTube and Facebook, as well as Zoom gatherings. I will answer questions, give demos and share my set up, and other interactive ways of connecting within the digital world.”
Keep up with Connie Sales throughout the Tour; click HERE for a full list of Connie’s online events.

Virtual Studio Tour Kickoff: Amanda Taylor
2020-11-26 10:00 (America/New_York) | NC
November 26, 2020, 10AM: Landscapes in Glass, Part 1
Live on YouTube
Attend HERE.
Amanda Taylor will be demonstrating how she creates her landscapes in glass. In Part 1 she will be showing how she creates some of her components and backgrounds.
Amanda Taylor – Burnsville, NC
“My work explores the expressive possibilities of glass through variations in color, texture, light, and atmosphere. By drawing inspiration from nature, I use my kilnformed glass work as a way to create a sense of place and interpret the ever-present beauty that surrounds us all. My hope is that the work will spark a fond memory, and bring a sense of wonder and joy to each viewer.” — Amanda Taylor

Virtual Studio Tour Kickoff: Page Pottery
2020-11-25 18:00 (America/Halifax) | NC
November 25, 2020, 6PM: Instagram Live
Attend HERE.
JR & Kristen Page – Burnsville, NC
Join in on Instagram Live to celebrate the Virtual Tour and our community of artists! Tune in for a throwing and handbuilding demo with JR & Kristen Page in their Burnsville studio.
Kristen and JR Page are husband and wife artists and craftspeople living in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
“Pottery for us is a way of life. A lifestyle we cherish greatly. We strive to make each final piece the best it can be. Taking great care and consideration to each material, process, tool and technique that we use. We give our all into our craft and in doing so some part of us goes into the work as well.” – JR & Kristen Page

Virtual Studio Tour Kickoff: Amanda Taylor
2020-11-24 10:00 (America/Halifax) | NC
November 24, 2020, 10AM: Live on YouTube
Attend HERE.
Join Amanda Taylor for a live glass studio tour where she will be showing you around her mountain top kilnformed glass studio.
Amanda Taylor – Burnsville, NC
“My work explores the expressive possibilities of glass through variations in color, texture, light, and atmosphere. By drawing inspiration from nature, I use my kilnformed glass work as a way to create a sense of place and interpret the ever-present beauty that surrounds us all. My hope is that the work will spark a fond memory, and bring a sense of wonder and joy to each viewer.” — Amanda Taylor

Virtual Studio Tour Preview Exhibition
2020-11-24 - 2020-12-31 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
Virtual Studio Tour Preview Exhibition

The Toe River Arts Studio Tour is a free, self-guided tour of artists’ studios typically held on the first weekends of June and December in North Carolina’s scenic Mitchell and Yancey counties. In response to the pandemic, this popular event is going virtual from Monday, November 23 through Sunday, December 27, 2020. The Studio Tour is a showcase for local artists to feature their work, processes, and studio spaces.
For the last 28 years, the Toe River Arts Studio Tour has been a way for the community to experience the richness and diversity of the landscape and the visual arts of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just forty minutes northeast of Asheville, NC. This year the event is entirely online, making the studios and artwork accessible from the region and beyond.
This online format not only assures the safety of our artists and visitors, but also provides an opportunity to view far more art than would be feasible in person. Visitors in previous years have driven from studio to studio, not always stopping to see every artist on their list due to distance and time constraints. This year visitors of the Virtual Tour may see every artist on the Tour, regardless of location. And now with more than just a weekend to shop, visitors can check back with their favorite artists for more inventory as the holiday season approaches. The 2020 Virtual Studio Tour will begin on Monday, November 23 when art pieces for sale from 64 local artists and craftspeople will premiere on the Toe River Arts website and Toe River Artists’ e-commerce platforms.
A Virtual Studio Tour Preview Exhibition at the Toe River Arts Spruce Pine Gallery will accompany the tour from November 24 through December 30.

To view this exhibition, click HERE.

Virtual Studio Tour Kickoff: Connie Karleta Sales
2020-11-23 19:00 (America/Halifax) | NC
November 23, 2020, 7PM: Process demonstration on YouTube Premiere with live chat
Attend HERE.
Connie Karleta Sales – Bakersville, NC
“New miniature pieces will be available through Toe River Arts as well as inviting you into the studio via going live on YouTube and Facebook, as well as Zoom gatherings. I will answer questions, give demos and share my set up, and other interactive ways of connecting within the digital world.”
Keep up with Connie Sales throughout the Tour; click HERE for a full list of Connie’s online events.

Virtual Studio Tour Kickoff: Claudia Dunaway & John D Richards
2020-11-23 10:00 (America/Halifax) | NC
November 23, 2020, 10AM: Facebook Live
Attend HERE.
Claudia Dunaway & John D Richards – Burnsville, NC
Join Claudia and John of Yummy Mud Puddle for a virtual studio visit.
John was born in 1936 in Fon duLac, Wisconsin. He was raised in Chicago, Illinois; Pilot Knob, New York; St. Just, Puerto Rico; and other assorted places of rare beauty. He received an education at Union College, in Schenectady and Pratt Institute, in Brooklyn, but seems to have misplaced it due to careless living. In 1963 John left his last honest job—teaching—and has been creatively unemployed ever since. John makes art in many media including plaster, pewter, plastic, wire, paper, and of course, the ever ubiquitous trash.
From 1974-2018 Claudia Dunaway was a full-time potter working primarily in stoneware and porcelain, with a focus on carving and drawing on the surface of her pots through colored slips, a process called sgrafitto. In 2018 Claudia received a scholarship to Penland School of Craft for a woodblock printmaking class taught by Master Printmaker Keijo Shinohara. This experience shifted her focus to printmaking. Claudia has participated in exhibits with the Asheville Printmakers, Blue Ridge Fine Arts Guild, and is a founder member of Mica, a cooperative gallery of fine contemporary art, located in Bakersville, North Carolina.

Introduction to Fused Glass with Amanda Taylor
2020-11-07 10:00 - 17:00 (America/Halifax) | NC
Introduction to Fused Glass with Amanda Taylor
Join Amanda Taylor in her new light-filled O-AT-KA glass studio in Burnsville, NC to design and create a one-of-a-kind fused glass window or panel. Bring a photo or drawing for inspiration and prepare for a fun and creative day out of the house. Taylor will fire the pieces, to be picked up at a later date or shipped for an additional fee. The class fee includes all materials and tool rental.
Class cost varies between $75 and $250, depending on the size of the finished piece.
When: Saturday, November 7, 10AM – 5PM
Where: O-AT-KA Studio
Amanda Taylor is a kiln-formed glass designer, crafter and instructor. She is passionate about teaching people of all ages the joys and creative freedom of kiln-formed glass.
To register for any of these workshops, contact Community Outreach Coordinator Melanie Finlayson at 828.765.0524 or melanie@toeriverarts.org. Participants must wear cloth face coverings over the nose and mouth and properly socially distance during workshops.

BIG INK Printmaking Workshop
2020-10-23 - 2020-10-24 | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
Twenty local artists and students will participate in a printmaking workshop with BIG INK to be held in the Owens Gallery in Spruce Pine, October 23 and 24. Participants have been carving woodblocks up to 3 x 4 ft leading up to this workshop. Each participant has carved their own block as well an additional block that will be combined with the others’ to create a collaborative print.
While very limited public attendance will be enforced in coherence with social distancing restrictions, the workshop will also be streamed on Instagram Live by BIG INK, @biginkprints.
Click here for more information.

Artist Support Grant Applications Due at 4:30PM
2020-10-05 | NC
The Artist Support Grant was created to provide direct support to individual artists during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative will fund professional and artistic development for emerging and established artists to enhance their skills and abilities to create work or to improve their business operations and capacity to bring their work to new audiences. Artists representing visual, craft, performing, traditional, and interdisciplinary art forms are encouraged to apply.
Find more information here.

EXHIBITION: Blue Ridge Fine Arts Guild | Full Spectrum
2020-09-26 10:30 - 17:00 (America/Halifax) | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States

EXHIBITION: Think BIG Prints
2020-09-11 10:30 - 17:00 (America/Halifax) | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
Think BIG Prints is an exhibition of works by artists that have participated in past BIG INK printmaking workshops. This exhibition features 37 artists from around the United States, including ten artists from North Carolina. The prints range in size from 2 x 3 ft., up to 4 x 8 ft. This exhibition is in conjunction with our own BIG INK workshop that will be held October 23rd and 24th. Visit us in Burnsville as well, we have some big prints there too.
Click here for more information.

Artist Support Grant Workshop
2020-08-24 14:30 - 15:30 (America/Halifax) | NC
A workshop for artists interested in applying for the Artist Support Grants will be offered on Zoom August 24, 2:30 – 3:30 PM. Please contact Melanie Finlayson at melanie@toeriverarts.org or 828.765.0524 for more information or to register. The Zoom workshop will have limited availability but will be made available for all to watch on our websites a few days after the workshop.
Interested artists may also set up individual workshop or consultations at Toe River Arts or Madison County Arts Council from August 1 – October 1, 2020.
If interested in this option, please use the contact information below:
Toe River Arts:
Melanie Finlayson: melanie@toeriverarts.org or 828.765.0524
Madison County Arts Council:
Erich Hubner: madcoarts@gmail.com or 828.649.1301

EXHIBITION: Beyond Prison Artist Alliance | Emotional States
2020-08-05 10:30 - 17:00 (America/Halifax) | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
Toe River Arts announces the opening of Emotional States, an exhibition of works by artists in the Beyond Prison Artist Alliance, at its Spruce Pine Gallery August 5 – September 12.
The Beyond Prison Artist Alliance is a community of artists incarcerated at Avery Mitchell Correctional Institution (AMCI) and artists affiliated with the Penland School of Craft and Appalachian State University networks, who joined to facilitate short and long form workshops within the prison.
View the exhibition online here.
Image: Robert G. Reid
Transition
Micro pigment ink on paper

EXHIBITION: Zac Trainor | Beyond Psyche & Matter
2020-08-05 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Halifax) | Toe River Arts Gallery – Spruce Pine, 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777, United States
Toe River Arts announces the opening of Between Psyche and Matter, an exhibition of works by Zac Trainor, in the ARC Gallery at its Spruce Pine location August 5 – September 2.
Zac Trainor presents a confrontation with the unconscious in an effort to capture or access a glimpse beyond the veil and into the realm of the soul. “The processes taking place in our conscious and unconscious, the conflict of desire versus necessity, the struggle to obtain a sense of place, and the impermanence of our existence are just some of the underlying philosophies and inspiration in the works,” describes Trainor.
View the exhibition online here.
Image: Zac Trainor
Nomo Lisa
20H x 20W in
Mixed media on canvas

2021 Exhibit Proposals Due by 5pm
2020-06-06 | NC
Toe River Arts has a large exhibit space in the Spruce Pine Facility, 269 Oak Avenue. Throughout the year we offer five annual exhibits; two Studio Tour Preview exhibits, the Annual Blacksmith exhibit, the Student Showcase and our Annual Juried exhibit. This leaves openings for 2 proposed 4-6 weeks exhibits.
Please visit the Spruce Pine gallery to familiarize yourself with the space before submitting your proposal. We feature both local and nationally recognized artists in our exhibit space. Shows generally run 4-6 weeks. Toe River Arts exhibits can feature one or more artists, or an arts organization. Cooperative exhibits that also include 2D and 3D work are encouraged.
View the application here.
