From Earth to Sky

Terra cotta pottery vessels by Garry Childs, artistic fine furniture by Pete Rodrigues, watermedia collage paintings by Nancy Smith. In the gallery June 27th through July 23rd. Opening reception during Hillsborough’s Last Friday Art Walk, June 30th, 6-9pm. The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts is owned by 21 local artists featuring painting, sculpture, photography, glass, jewelry, handcrafted furniture, pottery, and mixed media. 121 N. Churton Street, Hillsborough NC. Hours: Monday through Saturday 10-6, Sunday 12 – 4. For more information about the show visit www.HillsboroughGallery.com

From Earth to Sky will be at the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts June 27 to July 23 with a reception in the gallery on Friday, June 30 from 6-9pm.

Garry Childs’ artwork is formed on a potter’s wheel from terra-cotta clay. After the clay has stiffened enough to handle, he applies glazes and carves patterns through the glaze into the damp clay. When completely dry, the pots are fired to 2,100 degrees. “In the past few years I have been applying local clays directly to the pots in a liquid form. These clays are used straight from the ground with all the naturally occurring impurities and organic material to provide interesting surface textures.” Says Childs, “We often refer to parts of pots like parts of the human body. Neck, shoulder, belly, foot and lip are used for both. I see people in the curves of the shapes. Many have what I think of as a feminine form with slow soft curves. Put your arms around one, you’ll see what I mean.”

“I still feel new to the gallery and to the art world as a whole,” says furniture maker Pete Rodrigues. “For the last 25 years, I have created pieces out of wood. Becoming a resident artist in the gallery has allowed me to be more creative, using my imagination and discovering new possibilities.” Rodrigues is excited about his new wall art, “these designs consist of contemporary shapes and are held to the wall with magnets. The magnets give an opportunity for each piece to be hung in any way on the wall, allowing purchasers to continue the creative process. Also in the show are some of my new furniture designs and floating shelves. They’re both beautiful and functional.”

For painter Nancy Smith inspiration for this show did not come easy. “I was going through a major life transition and my creative spirit was on hiatus. The deadline for paintings was looming large and I had started none.” To soothe herself, Smith spent time in nature taking walks in the woods. “Surrounded by trees, I listened to the music of a flowing stream and bird song. I felt peaceful, sustained, and nurtured. Ideas began to take root and grow. The paintings in this show are an expression of my emotional experience while communing with earth and sky.”

About the Gallery

The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts is owned and operated by 21 local artists exhibiting contemporary fine art and fine craft. The Gallery’s offerings include oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, metal sculpture, figurative sculpture, ceramics, photography, montage, digital art, mixed media, jewelry, glass, and handcrafted furniture. 121 N. Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Phone: (919) 732-5001. The gallery’s hours are 10am-6pm Monday–Saturday, 12-4pm Sunday. More information can be found at HillsboroughGallery.com