Waynesville’s Gallery 164 has added two new artists to its roster: watercolor artist Margaret Pennington Roberts and utilitarian potter Jennifer Mecca.
Striped Vase. Margaret Roberts, artist
A native of southern Virginia, Roberts has a BS in Art from Radford University and a graduate degree in Adult Education from the University of Missouri. She has a signature style of three-dimensional watercolor collage characterized by unique patterns and textures. “I feel that my work is an extension of my personality,” she says. “I’m so very happy when I paint and I feel it transfers to the finished work.”
Gallery owner Jerry Jackson admires the emotional depth and technical skill in Roberts’ pieces. “The interplay of her details, carefully chosen palettes and spatial illusions pulls us into a dialogue with her work,” he says. “This aligns seamlessly with Gallery 164’s emphasis on storytelling and community connection.”
Mecca draws inspiration from her family traditions of shared meals and fanciful table settings. “Both my parents’ mothers had elaborate dishes and serving pieces that they enjoyed using for various weekend and holiday meals,” she says. These experiences sparked her passion for creating pottery that is at once functional and elegant.
Jennifer Mecca, artist
Mecca met Jackson years ago while they were both studying at East Carolina University, where Mecca earned her MFA in Ceramics. “Jennifer’s dedication to craftsmanship and detail mirrors the gallery’s celebration of handmade artistry,” says Jackson. “Her ability to balance structural integrity with organic, decorative elements showcases her mastery as a potter.”
Roberts and Mecca join an eclectic mix of artists in Gallery 164, where visitors can find traditional and contemporary works in a variety of media including painting, photography, ceramics, wood, glass and metals.
Gallery 164 is located at 164 South Main Street, Waynesville. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment. For more information, visit Gallery164.com.
