“With a Handshake in Mind”–the artwork of Marcus Thomas

Let us introduce you to the extraordinary artwork of local artist Marcus Thomas. We are proud to have worked with Marcus and his wife Anne for 24 years, and we continue to be dazzled by his creativity and artistry. His creative expression and exceptional depictions of wildlife and nature give us a glimpse of Marcus’ gift — the natural talent of a true artist.

Stop by the shop — Anne has just restocked some of Marcus’ new prints, and they are sure to impress.

Here are a few examples… see for yourself:

Marcus will be exhibiting his artwork at our 12th annual Art in Autumn festival on Main Street in Weaverville on September 15th. Be sure to stop by his booth — you may just catch him with a brush in his mouth, painting as usual.

More information on Art in Autumn can be found here: https://visitweaverville.com/art-in-autumn/

For more information on Marcus: http://marcusthomasartist.com/

Happy summer to all!

Carla and Bob

Beginner Beekeeping Series June 6th + June 13th

Lecture – June 6 &13
Cost: $75 per person OR $125 for two!

This class will offer a whirlwind of information from hive placement to season-long management. The fee for this class includes 6 hours of lecture as well as a 2 hour Hands-on in the Hive portion. The new beekeeper will find this invaluable in gaining comfort and confidence around a hive.
Call or email the store to reserve your spot in the lecture and hands-on portions.

Please note that the hands-on sessions are capped, so don’t wait to register!

This offering is held at Wild Mountain Bees, 23 Merrimon Ave, Weaverville, NC.

Hands-on Dates:

June 9th 2-4 pm
June 16th 10-12pm
Additional dates TBA!

ARTISANS ON MAIN: LAURIE SULLIVAN

Laurie Sullivan | Multimedia Artist

To say that Laurie Sullivan has an appreciation for the natural world would be an understatement. As an avid hiker, lifelong equestrian and master naturalist, Laurie Sullivan strengthens her connections with nature through multiple art mediums including oil paints, acrylics, watercolors, pastel chalks, inks and graphite pencils. Her work includes pet portraits, equestrian-themed artwork and landscapes.

Laurie Sullivan Commissions

You have been a nature lover your whole life and are an avid hiker, equestrian and naturalist. What is it about nature that you wish to convey with your artwork?

The texture, the light, the feeling of being out in a natural environment is what I endeavor to portray. Some artworks are more realistic than others.

Can you please describe your process, what inspires you and how you go about choosing your next art project?

In terms of process I allow the artwork to evolve from my photographs of being outside, from the smallest flower to the largest landscape view, the different aspects appeal to me. The technical process depends upon the art medium. It is fun to dabble in a variety of 2-D art mediums.

Laurie Sullivan Landscape Art
You work with a number of different mediums including oil, acrylics, watercolors, pastel chalks, inks and graphite pencils. How do you decide which one to use? Which is your favorite to work with and why? 

Frequently the photograph dictates the art medium and it is also fun to combine several in a mixed medium piece. I don’t really have a favorite medium. It is more expressive to use a loose painting style but I am probably known best for my accuracy in the drawing mediums.

What can you tell us about the life size horse you are painting for the Tryon International Equestrian Center and what do you like most about this project? 

The two horses that I painted are completed and are no longer in the studio space at AOM. They are on display in Tryon, NC and also Columbus, NC, both on the main streets for each town. The horses were not specifically created for TIEC; they were commissioned for the project called the Art of the Horse out of Tryon, NC. But one of the horses that I painted does show the variety of equine sport disciplines that will be going on during the WEG. More about the process… Artists submitted designs, and once juried and approved, the artists were then given the fiberglass life-sized horse forms of their choosing to do the paintings on.

Laurie Sullivan Horse

Once completed, the horses were picked up, taken to an auto body shop for a clear coating to protect them, and then positioned in the towns of Tryon, Saluda, Columbus, NC and Landrum, SC. A map is due out any day to show the location of the horses. Once the World Equestrian Games are completed this fall then the horses will be rounded up and taken to an auction in October. The new owners can display them either in private or public locations.

Your commission work is extraordinary! How do you approach your commissions and what should people know about getting a commissioned piece from you?

With animals I like to show the personality or a piece of what makes that animal special to it’s owner/partner. A slice of their life so to speak, and portraits can be from action photographs or casual positioning. Contact me through Artisans on Main for more details. My website can provide more samples www.LaurieSullivanArt.com and I have business cards there if someone prefers to contact me directly. If suitable photographs are provided then the cost is discounted by $50 from the listed prices of $300 (small), $400 (medium) or $500 (large). No framing is provided but artwork is generally created so that clients can choose a standard sized frame if they choose to do that.

Laurie Sullivan Commissions

 

Find out more about Laurie by visiting her website:
Or drop by Artisans on Main at 14 N. Main St. in Weaverville, NC!

Optix is excited to host Artist Denby Dale at the upcoming Art Safari!

The Weaverville Art Safari is just around the corner! Optix is proud to host Artist Denby Dale in our lobby April 28th and 29th 10 am – 5pm in participation with the Art Safari.

Her work was recently featured on the cover of The Laurel of Asheville magazine. She is also currently in the show ‘Form & Function’ at Contemporaneo Asheville in downtown Asheville. That show is on display until June 30th.

Denby will be showing encaustics, mixed media drawings/paintings and small format assemblages in the form of wearable belt buckles and hanging plaques.Denby Dale
Please join us in supporting our talented local artist! We would love to see you on safari!

Optix Eye Care

49 N. Buncombe School Rd. Weaverville, NC 28787

Photo Restoration at Art Accents Frame Shop

Have your old photographs been damaged or showing signs of aging? Besides fire or water damage, photos can deteriorate due to conditions such as light exposure, humidity, acid migration, fungus, mold, uv fading, and emulsion degradation. Bring them by the shop and have Bob scan and restore them back to like-new condition. He can then make new prints, and will give you the digital copy of the restored photo which will then be preserved for a lifetime. Don’t take the chance of losing you old memories! Check out some of his recent restore  projects below.

Press Release: Grand Opening of Main Street Weaverville Real Estate Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Michael Phelan, Vice President of Marketing
Beverly-Hanks & Associates
(828) 712-8320
[email protected]

 

Grand Opening of Main Street Weaverville Real Estate Office

Beverly-Hanks & Associates to celebrate opening of new regional office in Weaverville.

 

February 15, 2018, Asheville, NC—Regional real estate leader Beverly-Hanks & Associates will be celebrating the grand opening of a new office at 62 N Main Street, Weaverville on Thursday, February 22, 2018 from 4:30–6:30pm.

“With our new Main Street location in Weaverville, we are excited to provide great value and service to our customers and clients as part of their community,” said Elaine Ingle, Beverly-Hanks Weaverville office manager. “We hope everyone can come out to officially celebrate our grand opening with us.”

In addition to local residents, clients, and friends, Beverly-Hanks has invited the local community of businesses on Main Street to attend the office grand opening. Weaverville’s mayor, Al Root, town council, and town manager, Selena Coffey, have also been invited. The drop-in event will feature refreshments provided by local Weaverville merchants Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store and Well-Bred Bakery & Café.

“In today’s hot real estate environment, it’s important to work with knowledgeable, local real estate agents,” says Neal Hanks, Jr., President of Beverly-Hanks. “Beverly-Hanks is the experienced, family-owned real estate company that has supported residents across Western North Carolina for more than 40 years.”

For more information about successfully buying or selling a home in WNC, experts at Beverly-Hanks are available to help you Live the Life You Choose. Speak with a Beverly-Hanks real estate agent in Weaverville today at (828) 251-1800.

 

About Beverly-Hanks & Associates

The market leader since 1976, Beverly-Hanks & Associates is a full-service real estate firm offering residential and commercial sales, marketing, and consulting services across Western North Carolina. In addition to these core business platforms, Beverly-Hanks has strategic partnerships in several related industry ventures including mortgage, title insurance, and consumer-facing lead procurement ventures. For more information, visit beverly-hanks.com.

 

XXX

 

Grand Opening of Main Street Weaverville Real Estate Office

Honeybee Raffle at Wild Mountain Bee’s 1/26 Anniversary Party

Did you know we’ve been in our new shop for 1 year already?! Come celebrate with us this Friday Jan 26th 4:30-7:30 at the shop! We will be partnering with Eluvium Brewing for tastings of their beer brewed with honey, and Shanti Elixirs will be slinging up her amazing jun! Also, there’s still time to enter the raffle to WIN 1 PACKAGE OF BEES — $5 to enter + drawing is at 7 pm this Friday during our event (don’t worry, if you can’t make it, we’ll call ya if you win)!

Anniversary Party and January Offerings from Wild Mountain Bees!

 

WILD MOUNTAIN BEES ANNIVERSARY PARTY!
Friday, January 26th 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm

We have just loved our move to downtown Weaverville – what a warm, welcoming community we have come into. Join us to celebrate honeybees, their amazing overwintering journey, our first year at our new location – and YOU, our awesome customers! We will have drinks and snacks as well as raffling off (1) package of bees! A package includes 3 lbs of bees and a queen. To enter the raffle, you can buy tickets at the shop for $5 each! We will be announcing the winner at 7 pm that night. If you do win and are not present, we are happy to give you a call and let you know! We will see y’all there!

Wild Mountain Bees’
Free Talks + Classes

THE MAGIC OF THE HONEYBEE
January 20th, 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Cost: Free!

FIRST STEPS OF BEEKEEPING
January 20th, 2:30 – 4:00 PM
Cost: Free!

BEGINNER BEEKEEPING SERIES
Wednesdays, January 24th + 31st, 5:00pm – 8:30pm

Following the free community offerings, Sarah will offer a Beginner Beekeeping Class Series. This class will offer a whirlwind of information from hive placement to season-long management. In addition to the lecture portion, the fee for this class includes a 2-hour, hands-on, in-the-hive portion when the weather begins to warm in the spring. Hands-on dates are TBA – we will offer multiple dates throughout April and June. The new beekeeper will find this invaluable in gaining comfort and confidence around a hive.
Cost: $75 per person, $125 for two

DIY MEAD MAKING
January 17th, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Cost: $35

As always, thank you for your unwavering support! Looking forward to sharing 2018 with each of you.

 

Artisans on Main: Trish Salmon

Trish Salmon | Claywork by Hand

Trish Salmon is a hand builder. Her clay work is both figurative and abstract and at times a combination of both. Preferring natural-looking surfaces that are layered and multi-fired, Trish loves creating work that has wonderful textures and colors, whether it has a designated function or is purely aesthetic. The use of a hand-crafted item can be different experience than the use of a manufactured item, and Trish hopes to continue building these personal connections she has with the user. We caught up with Trish to find out more about her work, her process and what it is like living in Western North Carolina.

Your clay work is whimsical and playful. How would you describe your work, and where exactly do you find your inspiration for such unique creations? 
Trish Salmon at Artisans on MainI enjoy working with clay because it is so versatile. I can make serious work which is usually based on some natural forms and I can make pieces that are fun and whimsical. Sometimes song lyrics can inspire. I want to make a piece called “Take Your Cheatin’ Hands Off My Red Dress, I Ain’t Wearin’ This Thing For You.” That would be fun. Using traditional handbuilding techniques such as coiling and slab, I create my sculpture as well as my functional pieces. I use a lot of texture that looks like bark or erosion or something timeworn and exposed to the elements. I usually use colors found in nature. I have also enjoyed a collaboration with Leah Baker in supplying some of the lamp bases for her wonderful, unique lamps.

Trish Salmon at Artisans on Main

Can you explain your process and describe what visitors to the gallery can expect to see from you this holiday season? 
I don’t always have a firm plan of what I am going to build. I can start in an direction but am often pulled in a different direction. The thing is to start working. The clay will tell you what to do. Sometimes it says “No” but most times it is an enjoyable dance.

Tell us what it’s like living in WNC as an artist and how that contributes to your creativity. 
After many visits to Penland School of Crafts and spending the day in Asheville on the way home, my husband and I fell in love with the area. Coming from the Atlanta area, the mountain lifestyle with its less frantic pace was very appealing. We have been here ten years and it has been wonderful. I think there must be some kind of vortex here that draws creative people. The amount of culture and art here is amazing considering the size of the population. Life here is good.
Trish Salmon at Artisans on Main
Find out more about Trish by visiting her website:
www.clayworkbyhand.com
Or drop by Artisans on Main at 14 N. Main St. in Weaverville, NC!

MIYA GALLERY HOLIDAY PARTY AND JASON JANOW JEWELRY TRUNK SHOW

You are invited to Miya Gallery’s 2nd Annual Holiday Party 

FEATURING THE JEWELRY OF JASON JANOW

GREAT FOOD, SPIRITS, HOLIDAY GIFTS

This Friday evening during the Candelight Stroll

5-8 p.m  at MIYA GALLERY

20. N. MAIN ST.

WEAVERVILLE