Seasons of Friendship. Liz Sullivan, artist
In what has become an annual holiday tradition, American Folk Art & Framing (AFA) presents smaller works this month that are perfect to adorn trees and decorate the home with a “funky folk art” seasonal vibe, incorporating lots of color and whimsy. “These unique adornments just can’t be found anywhere else,” says gallery owner Julia Mills, “handcarved and painted ‘critter’ ornaments from Kentucky sculptors Lonnie and Twyla Money; joyful NC state symbols from Sonya Clemons; bright and quirky miniature face jugs from Wayne Hewell, Carl Block and Tim Whitten; gorgeous sculpted ceramic baubles from Ben J. North; light-hearted lucky tokens from Church Goin’ Mule; and seasonal vignette paintings from Liz Sullivan, just the right size to hang from your garlands and greenery.”
The gallery will also feature new work from artists including Trés Taylor, John Sperry, Michael Banks, Shawn Ireland, Kent Ambler, Rosa and Winton Eugene, Cornbread, Jack Klippel and Stacy Lambert.
A Few of Our Favorite Things opens on the website on Wednesday, December 3, at 11 a.m., and in the gallery on Friday, December 5, at 11 a.m., with a reception later that evening from 5–8 p.m. The show runs through Tuesday, December 30.
Mamas Christmas Cookies. Sonya Clemons, artist
Trés Taylor, who has shown his work at AFA for more than 25 years, will be exhibiting smaller pieces that are part of a series he calls Tales from Byrdland. “These paintings are 12” x 12” works painted and carved on tarpaper or roofing felt and mounted on wooden cradles,” Taylor says. “On the front, the story is often about a Monk named William Guadalupe, the patron saint of Birdsongs, Sunflowers and the Broken-hearted. He is the joymaker and can often be seen traveling with his companions Goat and Bird and handing out sunflowers to people that he encounters. On the back are two envelopes with small tarpaper houses and two greeting cards with a little story. One envelope with painting and tarpaper is for keeping, while the other is for sending to anyone that might be having some struggle in their life or to simply say to another ‘I love you and was thinking of you.’ The idea is to spread the connection like ripples in a pond.”
Sonya Clemons, who calls herself the “Artlady,” is relatively new to AFA, and this will be her first holiday exhibition. “In Alabama, one of the things I’m known for is local themed Christmas ornaments,” she says. “This was the perfect opportunity to try some here, and the new and different subject matter was so much fun.” Besides the North Carolina themed pieces, she will exhibit small paintings that reflect holiday traditions in her mother’s kitchen as well as ornaments depicting wildlife.
“From our folk art family to yours…we wish you a very happy holiday season, and hope that you can join us in celebrating A Few of Our Favorite Things in any way you can,” says Mills. “Let’s welcome the new year with art in our hearts!”
American Folk Art & Framing is located at 64 Biltmore Avenue in Asheville. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit AmeriFolk.com or call 828.281.2134.
