Second Saturday at the ArtSpace

The arts come alive this Saturday, July 11, as the Watauga County Arts Council presents its Second Saturday Arts Celebration.

New exhibits, workshops, shopping and more will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Blue Ridge ArtSpace in Boone, with the Main Gallery featuring photography by Dale Forrest.

"Dale's love of nature has kept him passionate about photography for over 50 years," WCAC executive director Cherry Johnson said, "but it's his ability to push the boundaries that has kept his unique style constantly evolving."

According to Johnson, his search for new images always starts with an idea and a location. Whether it's wildlife, landscapes, stars or his latest venture in infrared photography, Forrest will spend weeks — sometimes months — visiting a particular location, studying the way the light illuminates his subject and looking for the smallest of details.

"With all the planning, there is always that moment of spontaneity that reveals itself, and this is where Dale's years of experience give him the ability to capture the photo," Johnson said. "They bring the viewer into the space and place where he was standing, seeing those brief and fleeting moments of time so rare, they almost always go unnoticed had it not been for his camera."

To see some of Forrest's work, visit www.daleforrest.com.

In the Open Door Gallery, the WCAC presents works in the East Asian brush-painting style by Lori Waters.

"There is a gentleness to this style that slows down my world where I can just breathe for a while," Waters said. "For me, painting is very meditative, from grinding of the ink to playing with the different textures of papers and taking the time to get to know the intricacies of every brush.

"The master painters of Asia believed that each painting carried with it the energy or chi of the artist. Each stroke is a defining move that produces just a portion of the painting that can neither be improved upon nor added to. I think there is a freedom in following these ancient traditions. It has taught me that there is beauty in the imperfections of nature, and part of the beauty is not only in what was painted, but also in what was left out."

To see some of Waters's work, visit www.loriwatersfineart.com.

Both Waters and Forrest are co-owners of Framing by Lori, located in the Shoppes at Shadowline in Boone.

In the Serendipity Gallery, artists are saluting our country and summer fun with a show, entitled "Lovin' Summer in Red, White and Blue." Participating artists are Barbara Hinkel, Judy Clarke, William Bass, Sondra Edwards, Kay Morrow, Jean Stillwell, Trudy Muegel, Marsha Holmes and Bernie Edwards.

This Children's Gallery will feature work created by children participating in Watauga County Public Library programming.

All of the galleries of the Blue Ridge ArtSpace are sponsored regularly by Cheap Joe's Art Stuff.

Per Second Saturday tradition, the ArtSpace will also host artists and demonstrations in its various classrooms.

In the Beige Classroom, visitors will find three artists sharing their craft — knitter Donna Leavitt, papier-mâché artist Susan Weinberg and knitter Shirley MacNulty.

In the Blue Classroom, Maryrose Carroll will be signing her newly released book, "Beats Me: Love, Poetry, Censorship, from Chicago to Appalachia."

In the Green Classroom, Ron Pippin of Nature's Jewelry will share the secrets of turning rocks into jewelry.

Also in the Green Classroom, the WCAC will continue the ongoing painting of its community masterpiece to be auctioned off at the Artfull Palette fundraising gala, which will be held Sept. 26.

"Everyone is invited to come pick up a paint brush and put their own mark on this huge painting," Johnson said.

She added that the board and paints were donated by Cheap Joe's Art Stuff, while the overall project was dreamed up and supervised by artist Marion Cloaninger.

In the Lavender Classroom, guitarist David Smith will be playing segments and teasers from his upcoming, free concert, "The Art of Guitar," which will take place at St. Luke's Episcopal Church at the end of July.

The Blue Ridge ArtSpace is located at 377 Shadowline Drive in Boone. For more information, call (828) 264-1789, or visit www.watauga-arts.org.

Source: Second Saturday at the ArtSpace