Cutting Boards by Dennis Reynolds of East Bernstadt.
Seventeen juried members of the Mountain Heritage Artisans Guild are showcasing their creative talents in a new art exhibit on display at The Center for Rural Development.
The exhibit features paintings in oil, watercolor and acrylics, drawings in charcoal, nature photography, wall baskets woven of reed, turned and carved wood pieces, forms made from twisted wire or ribbons of paper, re stoneware platters and stoneware mosaics.
The exhibit—which represents artists from five Southeastern Kentucky communities—includes a variety of media and a wide range of subject matter. Somerset artist Tom Nichols captures the beauty of “The Last Supper” in a hand-carved work of intarsia created from 350 pieces of wood from 22 species. There are also whimsical creations, like the colorful fish, created by folk artist Lonnie and Twyla Money of East Bernstadt.
Several of the pieces portray stories about Appalachian Kentucky. Williamsburg artist Wayne Hensley has three large charcoal drawings of miners waiting for their ride to go home after a hard shift and an oil canvas painting of equipment used by miners. Another painting by Barbara Willingham of London takes a step back in time depicting the delivery of mail on horseback in Eastern Kentucky mountains.
Some pieces are unique and one-of-a-kind creations. Richard Adams of London turns a beautiful piece of English elm into a wall medallion. The artwork is called the “English Waterfall,” because the grain in the turned piece resembles a waterfall. Teresa Reasor of Corbin uses the art of quilling with paper to celebrate flowers and beautiful geometric patterns.
Other artists whose work is featured in the exhibit include Meagan Watt, Corbin; Kathy Walker, Linda Stahl, and Dennis Reynolds, East Bernstadt; E. Pearl Anderson and Judith Ridings, Richmond; Jerry Howard and Teresa Day, London; and Pam Marrinan and Charline Marrinan of Somerset.
The Mountain Heritage Artists Guild, a nonprofit corporation based in London, promotes fine art, folk art, and original handcrafted crafts. Through community exhibits and educational program, members of the guild seek to inspire creativity and heighten the awareness of the rich talent that is present in the Cumberland Valley region.
The exhibit will remain open to the public through Nov. 13. Some of the pieces are for sale and listed in a brief description beside each artwork.
For more information about the Mountain Heritage Artisans Guild, visit artmhag.org or contact guild president Linda Stahl at 502-314-8353.
