October First Friday Opening!

 Please Join us for our October First Friday Event:

“Drama from the Garden”

Ceramics and Mosaics

By Terry Askey-Cole

 "Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree." Emily Bronté

                   Friday, October 5, 6-9pm

Meet the artist and join us for beverages and snacks!

A Visit with Terry



Terry holding one of her beautiful leaf platters!

Terry Askey-Cole is one of the fine ceramic artists at Gallery 54.  A visit to Terry in her studio really illustrates the layers of creativity and talent that are part of her life.  Terry’s  artistic endeavors began with painting the walls of her bedroom as a child.  She later studied architecture for 2 years at Kent State University in Ohio.  Terry worked as a draftswoman in a firm and as a technical illustrator while finishing her degree in graphic design and illustration. 

Today, Terry runs her own business, Askey Design and Illustration, www.askeydesign.com.   Terry designs printed material for several companies and individuals in addition to being an accomplished ceramicist and painter.  She attributes her love of ceramics to the appreciation for 3-D work that she developed through architecture.  This combined with her love of nature is reflected in all of her work.  Her first ceramics class was with Lauren Ritchie, also a Gallery 54 artist!

Terry’s leaves are one of her most popular designs.  She started making them as a way to test glazes and they have evolved to include details, spirals, and many beautiful combinations of color. She uses redbud, oak, maple, and hosta leaves as models to imprint her work, all of which she picks in her garden.  

Terry at work on a mosaic, plus a close up of a one of her finished pieces!                            

In the future Terry looks forward to further developing her mosaics and sees this as a means to translate her painting into her pottery.  She enjoys telling a story through her work.  Her mosaics can take an afternoon or many days, even months to complete.  She uses shards from broken pieces, but will also sometimes make a piece specifically to use in a mosaic.  She incorporates broken pieces from other potters as well, which add variety to her work.  She will frequently have multiple pieces going at a time.

Terry loves being part of a gallery in order to have a home and audience for her work.   Because she runs her design business full-time, she appreciates that the gallery enables her to show her work without having to do shows.  You’re invited to meet her and visit her work at Gallery 54!

September First Friday Event!!

You’re invited to our September First Friday Event

          “The Tall and Short of It”            

Featuring:

Pottery by Jim Burke and

Paintings by Lisa Noviasky

                      Friday, Sept 7, 6-9pm

Meet the artists and join us for beverages and snacks!

                                        We hope to see you there!            

New at Gallery 54: Jo Krajci Papercutting

We are pleased to introduce work by a new artist, Jo Krajci.  Each of Jo’s original fine papercuttings begins as a pencil drawing on silhouette or parchment paper.  They are then carefully hand cut using scissors or craft knives.  Jo “handgrains” each of her wood frames as well using paint and oil glaze.  She has been working at her craft since the 80’s and is a recognized member of the Guild of American Papercutters.

Precious Hues

 You’re invited to our August First Friday Event

“Precious Hues” 





Featuring:

Fabric Art by Sharon Bottle Souva and

Jewelry by Dana Blythe Stenson

                   Friday, August 3, 6-9pm

Meet the artists and join us for beverages and snacks!

We hope to see you there!  

FIRE AND WATER

Please Join us at our July First Friday Event

"Fire and Water”

Featuring Vibrant New Paintings by

Kathleen Schneider

And Scultural Glass Jewelry by

Heather Hennigan

                    

Opens Friday, July 6, 6-9pm

Enjoy complimentary beverages and live Electric Blue Harp music by Christopher Molloy!!

Rain

It seems that we are back to spring momentarily. Today the weather has turned chilly with rain most of the day. Still a few brave souls have come to Gallery 54, some new to us while others are returning. The comment I hear from nearly everyone is “you have a beautiful shop” and “everything is fantastic - I keep finding one great thing after another”.

Dragonfly tile by Gary Quirk

One thing I overheard today was regarding the front window…….. which by the way is mostly the brilliant effort of Donna Smith, one of the owners. There are words painted on the glass that read “Fine Art – Locally Made.” This is such an important feature of Gallery 54. We jury in every artist’s work for quality, visual impact and marketability. In addition we make sure there is little overlap, making each piece of art is unique and well made....AND all from the region. Where else can you go for one-of-a-kind art and fine craft that is high quality and locally made?



Tree tile by Gary Quirk

Shop local…………………shop often!