Meet the Neighbors by Kent Ambler
American Folk Art and Framing’s (AFAF’s) annual Wish List Celebration continues through December 30. Featured in the gallery are works for sale—just in time for gift giving—by artists who paint, create pottery, work in wood and sculpt.
Owner Betsey-Rose Weiss says that she and her staff are poised to help with holiday shopping. “Having 15 years of holiday experience under our belts, Morgan, Taylor and I enjoy helping to match a perfect gift with a perfect recipient,” she says. “We make it fun.” The gallery offers carefully curated work created by 40 southern folk artists.
North Carolina potter Shawn Ireland has been represented by AFAF since its opening in 2001. A Pennsylvania native, he studied at Penland School of Crafts and has nearly 20 years of experience as a fulltime wood fire potter.
King of the Barnyard by Lonnie and Twyla Money
Ireland’s eclectic pots are both functional and sculptural. “They are made from various local materials,” he says, “which keeps them lively, unpredictable and connected to the natural world.” He mixes local soils and minerals such as feldspar into his clay. “Folks who use my pots have said they are both ‘rustic and modern.’ If I can pull that off, then I’m satisfied.”
Kentucky artist Twyla Money shares life and art with her husband Lonnie. “We have been working as a team going on 32 years,” she says. Their hand-carved and hand-painted wooden pieces, including ornaments, have graced the gallery at AFAF for years.
The creative couple is inspired by their surroundings and nature. “It is exciting to see what Lonnie has created,” says Money. “I never know what he will come up with. It is my job to bring it to life with a paintbrush.”
Custom frames are the other half of the business at AFAF. “A wonderful personal gift,” says gallery director Morgan Ford, “is choosing a photo frame made here at the gallery and putting in a photograph to commemorate a shared moment in time.”
American Folk Art and Framing is located at 64 Biltmore Avenue in Asheville. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 A.M. to 6 P.M., and Sunday, noon to 5 P.M. For more information, visit amerifolk.com or call 828.281.2134.
