Community News

Here are the artists selected for this year's ArtScape banner exhibit

ArtScape banners hang on Main Street and Seventh Avenue East. [LIGHTNING FILE PHOTO]

By Lightning Reports, Published: February 20, 2020

Forty artworks by adult artists and eight pieces by young artists were recently chosen by a distinguished juror for the upcoming 2020 ArtScape Banner Project. The current outdoor exhibit of art banners on light posts in downtown Hendersonville and the Historic Seventh Avenue District will come down next month to be replaced by the recently-chosen artists’ works.

The juror, M.E. “Mike” Bailey, chose the collection of new works from 280 submissions by 99 local artists in various mediums – from oil and acrylic paintings, to 3-D sculpture, quilting, mixed-media, and more. More than 15 young artists living and studying in Henderson County applied in the young artist categories. The number of submissions was the largest since ArtScape began four years ago. The new show will hang along streets and avenues from April this year to March 2021. Each banner has been sponsored by an individual, business, or organization, making Hendersonville’s ArtScape Banner Project a thoroughly community-sponsored public outdoor art gallery.

Bailey has served as juror for numerous national art exhibitions around the country. His own work has received national and international recognition via awards, magazines and books and international exhibitions. A member of the American Watercolor Society and National Watercolor Society, Bailey is also a past president of NWS. His paintings are held in private and corporate collections in the U.S., Europe and Australia.

Artists selected were Cynthia Moser, Kathy Anspacher, Marcia Rieff, Gary Cooley, Richard Labunski, Tina U. Duncan, Gladys Shelton, Alice Greko, Ken Weaver, Amy Casteel, Lois Collier, Joel Hunnicutt, Laurie Adams, Tim Johnson, Sharon Richmond, Edward D. Morris, Cheryl Grace, Tommy Davis, Jean Greeson, Anne Allen, Kathy Wolfe, Travis Berning, Tim Ellmers, Phyllis Vaughn, Susan C. Brooks, Julie Wilmot, Sophia Allison, Jill Hsieh, Al Junek, Walt Cottingham, Clark Walker, Diane Dean, Ruthie Rosauer, Elisa Devera, Laura K. Bell, April Johnson, Alec Hall, Barbara Jones, Kate Stockman and Nancy Smeltzer.

Youth Artists selected were Chloe Davidson, Susanne Thomas, Seth Kim, Christina R. Maniscalco, Kenly Brand, Hannah Ray, Wren Seagle and Dean Patrick Wheless.

A celebration, reception and sale of artists’ work will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at a “Chocolate and Champagne” reception in the new facility at the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County, 1304 Ashe St. Selected artists and their original pieces will be on display in the lobby of the new facility. Music will be provided by the Dan Keller Trio. Chocolates, champagne, fresh fruits and non-alcoholic beverages will be served. A continuous slide presentation of artists, their selected work, and the banners hanging about town will be on view. Sponsors of banners in the 2019 ArtScape Banner Project will receive the banners they sponsored in last year’s exhibit during the reception.