ArtSeed, tonight: "Wood and Clay Art Exhibition Opening Reception."

There's an ArtSeed opening tonight, but first, let's review.

ART SEED

ArtSeed is owned and operated by local artists. Exhibits will feature the work of local, regional and international professional artists, and student artists.

The mission of ArtSeed is to support artists, provide a venue for them to live, work, and collaborate with organizations and businesses in our community in a mutually beneficial relationship.

As part of the ArtSeed citywide exhibit program, we are collaborating with multiple galleries to create Friday night gallery openings. The series of exhibits will feature renowned local artists and students artists.

Thank you to our sponsor Tabitha and Jim Sprigler owners of Halo Dash and Conflux Wellness. Exhibit, receptions and lectures are free and open to the public.

For more information, please contact Julie Schweitzer. Check out our website for more information about membership, events and services.

Tonight's opening at 1931 East Spring Street (5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) features four artists, some of whom exhibited at the late and lamented Gallery on Pearl.

Wood and Clay Art Exhibition Opening Reception

Please join us for WOOD and CLAY. Meet our new artists and enjoy the different approaches and mediums. This is the perfect show to pick up a wonderful Father’s Day and/or graduation gift. The participating artists include:

Alan Mason is a box crafter, retired English teacher, and native of Floyd County, Indiana. Mason says, “I find myself listening to what the wood wants to become, and letting what I hear guide me in making boxes….Sometimes I tell the wood what it wants to be, and sometimes the wood tells me… So far, both the wood and I are happy with the process.” Mason, with a nod to his literature background, includes notes and stories with each box inspired by his vision the wood and/or current events. For Mason, “the creative impulse is as natural as breathing, and just as necessary. It will always find a way to express itself in art, literature, music, or even boxes.”

Kimara Wilhite is a second generation, self-taught, New Albany-based photographer. She loves to travel and finds great joy in capturing nature and dramatic light. She is always inspired by dramatic light and loves to capture that in scenes of nature. She has a lifelong love of horses; the horses and solitary trees of the beaches have become a favorite subject.

Carl Degraaf is a Floyd County clay artist and retired Indiana University Psychology Professor. He credits his Dutch heritage for the practicality and functionality of his work. However, he says, “Beyond being utilitarian, less than an extravagance, hand crafted pottery is a modest indulgence to be enjoyed as a luxury on a daily basis”. His work is created on his ninety-six-acre farm, and the beautiful boxes and vessels are clearly influenced by his love of nature.

Floyd Cornet is a Jeffersonville, Indiana native and self-taught sculptor. His influence ranges from whimsical to abstract. He creates oversized functional pocketknives, carved barrel tops, and large totem poles- whatever strikes his fancy. They are all crafted with precision and character.

The reception is free and open to the public.

Thanks to Jim for the reminder -- and here's the bonus: "We're unveiling the Little Free Library down at the office that we built out of the reclaimed lumber from the old carriage house. It's been up most of the week and we've needed to top it off a few times already which is pretty awesome."