Contact:
Karen Mack
Mike’s Art Truck
www.mikesarttruck.com
mikesarttruck@centurylink.net
678-357-2778
“Barely Civilized: Folk Art by Cher Shaffer” showing at the Alexander Dickson House June 23, 2017 through August 24, 2017
Hillsborough, N.C. – The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and Mike’s Art Truck are excited to present a new exhibit of artwork by North Carolina artist Cher Shaffer at the Alexander Dickson House in Hillsborough, NC. “Barely Civilized: Folk Art by Cher Shaffer” is a selection of unique creations by one of our state’s best-loved self-taught artists. The show is on display from June 23, 2017, through August 24, 2017, in the historic building which houses the Hillsborough Visitors Center.
At her home in rural Appalachia, Cher Shaffer draws, paints, sculpts, or assembles art every day, as she has done for more than four decades. When asked, she scoffs at the question of her art education, laughing that she is not only untrained, but in fact “barely civilized.” Over the years, her art has followed her life’s meandering path, growing and changing with her own self-awareness. As a young mother of three, Shaffer first painted rural landscapes in a traditional folk-art style, work that was charming, yet constrained. Gradually, as she and the children grew, her art became more fluid and introspective. Now in her senior years, Shaffer feels liberated and open as an artist, free to express her emotions, and receptive to enlightenment from any source. She works quickly, spontaneously, and relentlessly, completely consumed by creative forces. Though in recent years she is more willing to express darker insights in her work, Cher Shaffer remains a happy and optimistic artist. Infused with humor and a childlike love of animals, Shaffer’s fanciful and oddly-shaped images are much more likely to inspire laughter than deep thought.
The current exhibit consists of artwork chosen by the artist herself especially for this debut show in Hillsborough.
Exhibition artwork is available for purchase directly through Mike’s Art Truck and can be picked up after the conclusion of the show. Contact Mike’s Art Truck for information by email at mikesarttruck@centurylink.net, or visit their website at www.mikesarttruck.com.
The Alexander Dickson House and Hillsborough Visitors Center is located at 150 E. King St., in downtown Hillsborough. Admission to the exhibit is free and open to the public during regular visitor hours. Free parking is available. For more information about Historic Hillsborough, including the Visitors Center, please visit https://www.visithillsboroughnc.com.
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Photos by Karen Mack
Artwork by Cher Shaffer
