Artist Kenny Pieper
Titled “Luminous: Glass and Painting,” the 2016 summer invitational exhibit at Mica gallery, located at 37 N. Mitchell Avenue in Bakersville, features elegant glass by artists Kenny Pieper and Pablo Soto, and rich paintings by Tim Turner. The show runs from July 1 to September 5, and there will be an opening reception from 5–8 p.m. on Saturday, July 9.
Kenny grew up in the mountains of North Carolina and began working with clay and then glass at Penland School of Crafts while still in high school. After spending several years blowing glass in California, he returned to manage the glass studios at Penland and to build his studio in nearby Celo. “I relish the dance of working with fire and glass in its liquid state—creating goblets, vases, and bowls that convey elegance, harmony, and beauty,” say Kenny.
Pablo spent his childhood in Texas and began throwing pots when he was just three years old with the help of his ceramic artist parents. At age five, he watched transfixed as he saw somebody blowing glass. He later studied ceramics and glass at Alfred University in New York where he had the opportunity to help several noted glass artists. “I stand on the shoulders of many great artists,” says Pablo. He lives and works in Penland.
As did Kenny and Pablo, Tim began as a potter, studying at Penland and Appalachian State University. While he still makes pots today, he says, “In 1996, after the Watauga River had washed through my studio for the third time, I decided to take a hiatus from pots and concentrate on painting, which I had also been doing in my ‘spare time,’ and which could easily be done on higher ground.” He says his paintings, which glow with layers of color and texture, are inspired by a variety of things, including music, poetry, and images of daily existence.
Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. To learn more, visit micagallerync.com or call 828.688.6422.
