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ZOOM PROGRAM

Jennifer Halvorson, Thirst I, Cast glass and cast bronze, 2-1/4 x 5 x 3-1/2 inches

Jessica Calderwood, Jennifer Halvorson, and Casey Roberts are featured in a three person exhibition in our North Gallery. These artists create clever and emotive work that tells a story of domestic life.  Cyanotype paintings relate to cast glass and mixed media sculpture, depicting still lifes, figurative subjects, and animals engaged in lighthearted and occasionally mysterious situations. All of these artists have a thoughtful approach to the work they create, often imbued with warmth and subtle messages.      

Please join us as we welcome these artists to Momentum Gallery, located at 52 Broadway in Downtown Asheville, on Saturday, August 7th, from 4-6pm.          

Jessica Calderwood, Public and Private, Copper, electroplated enamel, porcelain, milk paint and steel, 7 x 13 x 4 inches

Casey Roberts, Cat on a Rug with a Ball, Cyanotype Painting on Paper, 60 x 60 inches

Chakaia Booker, UNTITLED, 2013, Chine collé monoprint with woodcut and hand painted elements, 33-3/4 x 28 inches

Phil Sanders, Master Printer, Author of Prints and Their Makers, and the curator of Momentum Gallery's Picture That summer printmaking exhibition will be in attendance for two special in-gallery events. Picture That features artists Chakaia Booker, Will Cotton, Timothy Cummings, Joseph Hart, Tom Lieber, Raymond Pettibon, Gustavo Rivera, Sara Sanders, and Chuck Webster.

On Sunday, July 25th at 11am, Momentum Gallery will host a light brunch with Phil as he discusses the work and the artists featured in the exhibition.

Additionally, on Thursday, August 19th at 5pm, please join us in welcoming Phil and learn about his various printmaking processes and experience helping renowned artists from across the world achieve their vision. 

All are welcome! These events are free and open to the public. We look forward to seeing you!

Sara Sanders, CHAIR IV, Lithograph , 10 x 8 inches

Will Cotton, DOMINO, Lithograph, 37-1/2 x 28 inches, Edition of 25

The gallery enjoyed some coverage recently in Voyage ATL and Asheville Made.  If you didn’t see them, you can read the articles by clicking the links below.

Voyage ATL

Asheville Made

Momentum Gallery proudly opens its new space presenting a solo exhibition of masterful trompe l'oeil works by Ron Isaacs.  Visitors are regularly amazed to learn everything in Isaacs' work is made from painted plywood.  Clothing and nature are favorite subjects Isaacs returns to and many of his works address that relationship between man and nature.  Ron Isaacs' exhibition continues through May 31st.

The artist visits Momentum Gallery Friday, April 30th.  Join us in welcoming Ron for a casual reception at the gallery from 5-7 p.m.  If you are interested in attending, please call the gallery at 828-505-8550 to make a reservation. Masks must be worn at all times during this event. We will have limited capacity due to COVID protocols.

Momentum Gallery is 15,000 square feet and has incorporated various safety features for the health and well-being of our staff, artists, and patrons, including a fully touchless experience (our doors are automatic, just wave them open!) and we have UV light "air scrubbers" in our new HVAC system. 

 Ron Isaacs, Glitch, acrylic on birch plywood construction, 27-3/4 x 42 x 4-1/2 inches. 

Human/Nature, a nicely produced 140-page book on Ron Isaacs' work, accompanies the exhibition and is available through Momentum Gallery for $30.  The book features an array of impressive works created over the past decade, a current artist statement, and a sequence of process images showing the construction of one of his pieces the show, Polka Oaks.  

For additional reading, please enjoy this nicely written interview and article on Ron Isaacs from a recent issue of Chevy Chaser magazine.  The article begins on page 7. 

Ron Isaacs interview 

Momentum Gallery is honored to present Crystal Gregory at our first in-person event in our new location, 52 Broadway Street, in downtown Asheville on Saturday, April 24th, from 3-5 p.m. Gregory's textile and concrete work is featured in a solo exhibition on the gallery's first floor through May 31st.

Please call the gallery at 828-505-8550 to make a reservation. Masks must be worn at all times during this event. We will have limited capacity due to COVID protocols.

Momentum Gallery is 15,000 square feet and has incorporated various safety features for the health and well-being of our staff, artists, and patrons, including a fully touchless experience (our doors are automatic, just wave them open!) and we have UV light "air scrubbers" in our new HVAC system. 

For those who are unable to attend, check out this interview we did with the artist –Interview with Crystal Gregory

Thanks to Luxe Lifestyle Magazine for this article on the Momentum Gallery! 

From the article:

In 2017 Ahlers took the leap and opened his own gallery in downtown Asheville. Regarding his newest venture, Momentum Gallery, Ahlers comments,"I wanted to continue to raise the bar for the local art scene and provide a venue that introduces museum-quality work from around the country while simultaneously showcasing the best of this region. We are passionate about elevating the Asheville community as an Arts Destination, propelling our artists' careers, and promoting their work to national and international audiences." Momentum Gallery presents a highly-curated collection of some of the finest artwork being made in the country. Ahlers says impeccable craftsmanship plays a role in the works he selects, as the gallery celebrates material-based traditions rich in the area and reflects a contemporary aesthetic in harmony with natural surroundings. 

Momentum Gallery currently features about forty artists' work, several of whom Ahlers has worked with for nearly twenty years.  "It's a privilege to have that kind of longevity with an artist, to witness larger arcs in their career or see a relationship between ideas they're working through now and something they may have explored a decade or more ago."  

Ahlers cites the collection at Momentum is constantly evolving with incoming works, curated exhibitions which typically run for two months, visiting artists, and more.  The gallery offers considerable diversity, showing paintings, original prints, sculpture (both wall-mounted and freestanding), and unique studio furniture pieces. 

In conjunction with our exhibition of Maltby Sykes' (1911-1992) work, Momentum Gallery is pleased to welcome Marilyn Laufer, Director Emerita of the Jule Collins Smith Museum at Auburn University, Saturday, March 7 at 2:00 pm, for an in-gallery reception and informative talk on Maltby Sykes' work at our 24 N Lexington Avenue location in downtown Asheville.

This event is free and open to the public.

Ivy Jacobsen, All in Time, Oil on wood panel, 48 x 72 inches.

As spring unfolds and bare winter branches give way to budding blooms, Momentum Gallery presents Emergence, a collection of recent works by three artists that reveals the magic and mystery of the season. Artist, archeologist, and anthropologist Alysia Fischer incises intricate leaf patterns into rubber innertubes, upcycling them into draping wall pieces and freestanding stitched sculptures that reference seed pods and chrysalides.  Vicki Grant’s architectural compositions of textured and painted porcelain integrate with actual seed pods, mineral specimens, and live-edge sections of wood evoking the surface of stone and tree bark.  The exhibition features new works from Grant’s ongoing Botanical, Windows to the Earth and Quilted Whimsey Series along with elongated cylindrical Spirit Sticks and the debut of the NC artist’s latest 16 x 16 inch wall sculptures, Woodland Harmonies, that sandwich Grant’s textural clay between spalted maple boards. Ivy Jacobsen’s moody and atmospheric paintings of trees, wildflowers, and hanging gardens offer an unexpected look at flora and the drama and beauty of her botanical subjects. Rendering space through layers of veiled elements, Jacobsen’s paintings evoke a sense of calm and wonder.

Emergence continues at the gallery’s 24 N Lexington Avenue location through May 2020. 

Alysia Fischer, Daisy Chains, incised rubber.

Vicki Grant, Woodland Harmonies - 20005, Spalted maple, porcelain and mixed media, 

18 x 18 x 4 inches.

Alysia Fischer, stiched rubber

Ivy Jacobsen, Noon Drops, Oil and resin on wood panel, 20 x 20 inches.

Vicki Grant, Windows to the Earth, Porcelain & mixed media on slate, 12 x 12 x 2 inches.

 Maltby Sykes (1911-1992), Spruce and Moon, original lithograph, 18 x 22 inches.

Momentum Gallery, located at 24 North Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville, hosts an opening reception for its first exhibition of the new year - Maltby Sykes (1911-1992) - Thursday, February 13, from 5-8pm. Light refreshments will be provided.  All are welcome. 

This solo exhibition features a collection of original lithographs and mezzotints printed in the 1950s and 60s by southern modernist Maltby Sykes. Sykes (1911-1992) enjoyed a robust life of world travel and rich experiences learning with noteworthy artists. Having trained with John Sloan in New York, Diego Rivera in Mexico, and André Lhote and Fernand Léger in Paris, Sykes learned about painting and mastered numerous printmaking techniques. Revered by generations of students, Sykes openly shared the knowledge he gained from these masters and retired Professor Emeritus at Auburn University where he taught for many years. 

Maltby Sykes (1911-1992), Sunset, Watercolor on paper, 17-1/2 x 23-1/2 inches. 

In conjunction with this exhibition, Momentum Gallery is pleased to welcome Marilyn Laufer, Director Emerita of the Jule Collins Smith Museum at Auburn University, Saturday, March 7 at 2:00 pm, for an in-gallery reception and informative talk on Maltby Sykes' work at our 24 N Lexington Avenue location in downtown Asheville. This event is free and open to the public.

Maltby Sykes' sophisticated, mid-century modern prints are often monochromatic with bold and graphic subjects inspired by his travels, mythology and religion, and world events during his lifetime. Momentum Gallery is pleased to present this collection acknowledging the importance of Sykes' contributions in the field of printmaking and his legacy. Sykes once stated that "artists are witnesses of their time." The power of these words cannot be overstated as Sykes presented works representing lunar expeditions, Asian, Cuban and American landscapes, and other pieces relating to the time period he lived. Sykes was the recipient of a NEA grant (1967) and his works are in the permanent collections of a number of museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA; the Smithsonian American Art Museum, DC; and Asheville Art Museum, NC.

Twenty-five rarely seen original prints and paintings by Maltby Sykes are presented along with a select group of sculpture and studio furniture pieces by gallery artists. This exhibition continues at Momentum Gallery's 24 N Lexington Avenue location through Saturday, March 28th.

Maltby Sykes (1911-1992), Fireworks, Lithograph, 11 x 13-1/2 inches.

Momentum Gallery’s construction at 52 Broadway continues to unfold – we seem to have really turned a corner with the project!  Most of the structural work is complete, the sprinkler system and plumbing have been installed as the front awning begins to emerge.  Contractors have started framing, and the gallery is quickly beginning to take shape beyond the wide-open space it’s been the past few months. There are a lot of exciting things in store for our new space and a number of new artists we’re planning to bring in! Momentum Gallery will reopen on Broadway this summer – please stay tuned!

Wendy Maruyama

This year, Wendy Maruyama was honored with a USA fellowship. It is an annual award of $50,000 to distinguished artists of varying disciplines. We are so happy to congratulate Wendy on this achievement and incredibly proud to represent her at Momentum Gallery! 

Wendy Maruyama, Tule Lake, Wood, steel, ink, plant material, 48 x 20 x 15 inches.

Wendy Maruyama is a furniture designer, installation artist, and professor emeritus of woodworking and furniture design at San Diego State University. After studying for two years at Boston University, Maruyama went on to complete her MFA from the Rochester Institute of Technology. She was one of the first women to graduate from the program. Although best known for her work in designing furniture pieces that verge on the conceptual, Wendy has worked for decades working with numerous mediums.  She frequently explores themes that stem from her Japanese heritage, as well as feminism and social practice.

 Wendy Maruyama, Fractured, Tarpaper, nails, oak (reclaimed from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello Estate) 12 x 85 x 14 inches.

Maruyama has exhibited around the world and has work within many public and private collections, including at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, The Museum of Arts and Design in New York, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Mint Museum of Art + Design, North Carolina. Maruyama was elected a Fellow of the American Craft Council in 2008.  She is the recipient of several prestigious awards including the 2010 California Civil Liberties Public Education Grant; the Japan/US Fellowship; several National Endowment for the Arts Grants for Visual Artists; and a Fulbright Research Grant to work in the United Kingdom.

Our annually curated collection of intimately-scaled works perfect for holiday gifts, SMALL WORKS | BIG IMPACT, begins with an Opening Reception this Thursday, November 14th, from 5-8pm at our downtown Asheville art gallery, located at 24 N Lexington Avenue. During the reception, we will be hosting Momentum Gallery's first ever HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY!  For every guest at the Opening Reception on November 14th, we will donate $1 to Make A Wish Foundation that creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illness! Help us give generously to Make A Wish and you might win a gift too! We are delighted to share that all attendees will be eligible to win a gift from Momentum Gallery!  One lucky visitor will be the recipient of an original piece of art by one of our thoughtful makers! We are excited to show you the newest work arriving to the gallery, and we look forward to giving someone a gift of original art! We hope you'll join us this Thursday – your presence is the best present! We are grateful for your support and this is just one way we are giving back! 

For more information, please visit our Facebook event! We look forward to seeing you!

We just returned from SOFA Chicago and enjoyed an enthusiastic reception to our artists' work at the 2019 installment of the international art fair!  It was great visiting with our collectors from year's past and meeting so many new people. Highlights included giving a tour to the Smithsonian Women's Group, spending time with our artists and clients, placing work for several new artists, and sharing information about the incredible artwork and studio furniture we brought to Chicago!  We exhibited works by eighteen different artists. It was all incredibly well-received – each one garnered attention for their thoughtful creations.  Below are some images from the fair.  Enjoy!

Momentum Gallery, in downtown Asheville, hosts an opening reception for its fall group exhibition – 

A New Leaf, Thursday, September 12, from 5-8pm.  

Linda Ethier, A Thing So Small, pâte de verre, 16 x 16 x 5 inches.

A New Leaf is a sophisticated collection of original works celebrating the charm and beauty of one of nature’s great wonders – foliage. From atmospheric photography to glass sculpture, trompe l’oeil relief paintings, and eye-popping infinity mirrors, exquisite works are cast or constructed from actual leaves while others imitate their natural counterparts.  Coinciding with leaf season in the mountains, this exhibition continues at 24 N Lexington Avenue through Saturday, November 9. 

Ron Isaacs, Hide and Seek, acrylic on birch plywood construction, 23-1/2 x 24 x 3-1/4 inches.

Demetra Theofanous collaborates with her partner Dean Bensen to compose arrangements of remarkably detailed, cast glass leaves into cascading, wall-mounted arrangements that appear as if they’re being blown by the wind.  Painted birch plywood constructions by Ron Isaacs cleverly replicate clothing and foliage, fooling the eye and prompting viewers to question the subject's reality. Artists Jo Stealey and Hillary Waters Fayle utilize actual foliage in their imaginative works. Fayle deftly arranges and embroiders leaves to make intricate mediations, while Stealey fashions tonal wall-hangings with bold geometric patterns reminiscent of layered tapestries.  

Jeri Eisenberg, Seeking Shelter, No. 6, archival print on Kozo with encaustic, 36 x 45-1/2 inches.

Other artists participating in A New Leaf include: Elizabeth Busey, printmaking; Jeri Eisenberg, photography; Linda Ethier, cast glass; Amy Gross, mixed media; Kit Paulson, lampworked glass; Sandy Rothberg, photography; Jim Sams, wood sculpture; and Tim Tate, mixed media.

Thanks to Asheville Made for featuring us in August's Gallery Watch! Check it out! 

Join us at 24 N Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville, Thursday, May 2nd, from 5-8 pm, for an Opening Reception with artists Seth Clark and Jason Forck. Their collaborative show, Dissolution, explores what becomes of architecture with the passing of time. Jason and Seth present works they collaborated on as well as pieces created independently. Original collages are featured along with freestanding sculpture and wall installations made from glass and wood. Detailed architectural formations, in various sizes, play a significant role in the cohesive collection, with shingles made from glass and exposed beams and interior bracing lending to the works' authenticity. 

Clark and Forck came together through a mutual interest in Americana landscape and the concept of abstraction through decay. They are attracted to the aesthetics of buildings and architectural systems that are dissolving and dissipating. Dissolution describes their work formally in terms of architecture in collapse, but it also describes their collaboration in terms of disassembling ideas and then bringing them back together. Supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Dissolution is a result of a one-year, Idea Furnace residency at Pittsburgh Glass Center that pairs glass and non-glass artists for explorations in material, content, and process.

Detailed architectural formations, in various sizes, play a significant role in the cohesive collection, with shingles made from glass and exposed beams and interior bracing lending to the works' authenticity. About the work, Seth Clark comments, “I see an inherent honesty in the face of my subject. Among all of the clutter—the shards of wood and layers of rubble—there remains a gentle resolve. The buildings, often on the brink of ruin, have something very energized and present trying to escape from their fragmented reality.”

Momentum Gallery is pleased to bring these artists and their dynamic body of work to Asheville for the first time. A strong collection of two- and three-dimensional work by two artists speaking in one voice—the Jealous Curator comments about Dissolution, “Perhaps one of the most amazing collaborations I’ve ever seen! They truly figured out how to blend their artistic skills and talents to create something beautiful.” Dissolution opens with an artist reception Thursday, May 2nd from 5-8 pm and continues at the downtown gallery’s Lexington Avenue location through Saturday, June 22nd.

We love seeing Momentum in clients' homes! Check out this cool profile in the latest issue of Carolina Home + Garden and try to spot works by the following Artist Partners – Mariella Bisson, Christian Burchard, David Ellsworth, Brian Fireman, Drew Galloway, and Ron Isaacs! Thanks to Carolina Home + Garden, Samsel Architects, David Dietrich Photography, and of course our North Asheville clients for loving our artwork! 

Momentum Gallery is proud to announce our return to Miami Art Week in early December! We look forward to seeing the many collectors and friends that we met at the last two Miami art fairs and in our downtown Asheville art gallery over the past few months. We have enjoyed participating in Miami's dynamic and cosmopolitan art market, and it's an honor to have been selected to join CONTEXT Miami, December 4-9th, 2018.

We are bringing incredible new work by six Momentum artists to the celebrated contemporary art fair – this one is not to be missed!  We are excited to represent Asheville in Miami's prestigious, international art event with dramatic new works by Samantha Bates, Hoss Haley, Ron Isaacs, Anne Lemanski, Michael Enn Sirvet, and Tim Tate. If you can't make it to Miami, be sure to keep an eye out on our Instagram page in December. If you would like complimentary tickets to CONTEXT, please call the gallery at 828-505-8550 or email alison@momentumgallery.com – we are happy to assist you.

Momentum Gallery is thrilled to return to SOFA Chicago at Navy Pier, November 1-4! We are eager to connect with artists, collectors, and friends new and old. The gallery is assembling a stunning collection of sculpture and furniture in a variety of media by fifteen artists for the international fair which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year! Several Momentum artists plan to attend, and we'd love to see you there! If you are interested in attending SOFA, please call the gallery at 828-505-8550 or email alison@momentumgallery.com so we can provide you with complimentary tickets! 

Additionally, Momentum Gallery is proud to announce our return to Miami Art Week in early December! We look forward to seeing the many collectors and friends that we met at the last two Miami art fairs and in our Asheville gallery over the past few months. We have enjoyed participating in Miami's dynamic and cosmopolitan art market, and it's an honor to have been selected to join CONTEXT Miami, December 4-9. We are bringing incredible new work by six Momentum artists to the celebrated contemporay art fair – this one is not to be missed!  If you can't make it to Miami, be sure to keep an eye out on our Instagram page in December. If you would like complimentary tickets to CONTEXT, please call the gallery at 828-505-8550 or email alison@momentumgallery.com – we are happy to assist you.

We are thrilled to announce that Andy Farkas has a new moku hanga print available! His latest print, titled, Strength of No Force, comes with an original chat book by the artist, Magic, which beautifully compliments his editioned image. Farkas tells a tale of the grey wolf who finds himself in a lush garden in this eloquent short story. The handset letterpress type on this piece reads: "Failing the challenge illuminated the choice he never realized he had, the strength of no force."

Followers of Andy's work often ask about the stories that each print comes from -This is your opportunity to acquire his newest print and the story related to it (as a special bonus)! 

Andy Farkas will be in attendance at our upcoming Artist Reception on Friday, October 5th, from 5-8pm at our downtown Asheville art gallery at 24 N Lexington Avenue. Come meet the artist and have a drink with us! We look forward to seeing you!

We are privileged to represent Andy Farkas and look forward to sharing his newest print and chat book with you! Please call the gallery to reserve your personal copy of this special release orginal woodblock print and accompanying chat book at 828-505-8550.

 Andy Farkas, More than enough, Moku Hanga, 14-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches, Edition of 51

TWO MULTIMEDIA, NATURE-THEMED EXHIBITIONS 

OPENING at MOMENTUM GALLERY on AUGUST 30th

On Thursday, August 30^th, from 5-8pm, Momentum Gallery invites you to the Opening Reception for the group exhibition, Transformation: Earth, Water & Wood along with a collection of new paintings and textile works by Samantha Bates. Artists Ron Isaacs, David Ellsworth, Vicki Grant, and Samantha Bates, along with other Momentum Gallery Artist Partners, will be in attendance! We are so pleased to be showing such innovative work at our downtown Asheville art gallery! The reception takes place at the gallery's 24 N Lexington Avenue location and is free and open to the public. All are welcome. These exhibitions continue through October 31^st. 

Ron Layport, Return to Gardens, Turned, sculpted, and pigmented Maple, 10-1/2 x 6-1/2 inches

The group exhibition, Transformation: Earth, Water & Wood features recent work by five Momentum artist partners: Mariella Bisson, oil painting with collage; David Ellsworth, wood; Vicki Grant, porcelain and mixed media; Ron Isaacs, trompe l'oeil painting on wood; and Ron Layport, wood. New York painter Mariella Bisson turns her attention to our regional waterfalls, depicting dramatic scenes of stone, water, and woods in her signature style. Bisson deftly delineates the sculptural planes of her subjects and often selects scenes that represent metaphors for adaptation and change. Trompe l'oeil master Ron Isaacs refers to his work as being "exactly halfway between sculpture and painting." His birch plywood constructions, painted with acrylic, often portray the illusion of shirts or dresses (representing the figure) in the midst of a state of metamorphosis into foliage and branches. 

Ron Isaacs, Little Sister, Acrylic on Birch plywood construction, 32 x 22-3/4 x 3 inches

Vicki Grant has developed an exciting new body of free-standing sculptural totem forms inspired by an intersection of nature and literature. Maurice Sendak and Edgar Allan Poe are some of the writers Grant cites as influencing the direction of her most ambitious project to date.  Towering individual forms installed as modular trios and larger ‘families’ evoke the idea of a whimsical forest. Highly-textured ceramic serves as the jumping-off point for imaginative columns embellished with found natural objects, carved wooden birds, and even basketry (a collaboration with Montana Blue Heron).

 Vicki Grant, Botanical Series #18042, Porcelain and mixed media on slate, 24 x 12 x 2 inches

New Botanical wall tiles are inspired by things one would see in the woods. Textures of tree bark and imagery suggestive of toadstools and lichen, foliage and wildflowers all coalesce in abstract dimensional works that are an unexpected alternative to traditional paintings and wilderness photography. The works nod to Grant’s background in architectural design through compositions of seed pods and bundled reeds or gathered horsehair, organized to form elaborate structured patterns.

 Vicki Grant, Windows to the Earth #18020, Porcelain and mixed media on slate, 12 x 12 x 2 inches

Momentum Gallery is pleased to represent Vicki Grant and present her newest work in relationship to other artists whose work references the bounty and wonder of nature.  The textures and palette that define Vicki Grant’s work complement the surfaces and forms that make up Mariella Bisson’s contemporary landscape paintings and original collages. Grant’s work relates to vessels and sculpture by world-renowned wood artists David Ellsworth and Ron Layport through shared inspiration, reference to material, and (in the case of the latter) intricate surface carving.  Ron Isaacs’ fantastic garments which transform into and out of wildlife and botanical imagery complete the collection. 

 David Ellsworth, Mataak #2, Ash, 30 x 20-1/2 x 12 inches

Transformation also proudly presents work by two renowned American wood artists, David Ellsworth and Ron Layport. Ellsworth, who recently relocated to the Asheville-area, is a preeminent wood turner with work in 36 museum collections around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Ellsworth's aesthetic embraces nature's irregularities and might be compared to the Japanese principle, wabi-sabi, where anomalies that arise through the process of making add uniqueness and elegance to the work. Ellsworth's turned work is done on the lathe while the wood is still green, allowing for unusual things to happen as the turned forms cure and dry. Precisely rounded vessels may become oblong and asymmetrical, or even split open -Ellsworth welcomes these effects as part of his creative practice. Some might find it curious that the masterful woodturner's latest series isn't turned at all. For his Ascension series, Ellsworth cuts blocks of burled wood into concentric rings, then telescopes them out into dramatic, towering spires. Interestingly, Ron Layport first learned how to turn wood in a class led by David Ellsworth. Over the past 30 years, Layport has established a place among the top wood artists in the world. Layport uses negative space as a design element, carving intricate patterns of wildlife and habitat into the surfaces of his turned vessels. The results are complex relief carvings that maintain the integrity of the original form despite having been completely transformed.

Samantha Bates, Hoodsport, Pen, acrylic, screenprint, pastel, and colored pencil

on unstretched canvas, 100 x 90 inches

Momentum Gallery is also thrilled to debut a collection of new mixed media paintings and textile works by Samantha Bates. Bates' contemporary landscapes are created through meticulous mark making and patterning, thousands of dashes and dots emerge into imagery of forests and water on the surface of Bates' unstretched and primed canvases. The artist's wall-mounted textile works are sculptural constructions with imagery of sky or trees developing out of sections of expressive marks she makes by 'drawing' with a sewing machine, embroidering, and weaving. Read more about Samantha Bates in our interview with the artist on our blog. Both exhibitions continue through October 31^st.

Mariella Bisson, Five Trees Five Mountains, Oil and mixed media on linen, 50 x 38 inches

The expertly detailed wood sculptures of Ron Layport are not assemblages - each is sculpted from a single piece of wood. Working directly from sustainably-sourced, fresh cut local hardwoods (trees felled as a result of storm damage or otherwise destined for landfill, firewood, or the chipper), Ron first turns the logs on the lathe, then sculpts and finishes the pieces by hand over a period of months. What may have begun as an eighty-pound cross-section of tree is reduced to a beautifully finessed vessel weighing less than two pounds by the time it goes to the pedestal.

TWO MULTIMEDIA, NATURE-THEMED EXHIBITIONS 

OPENING at MOMENTUM GALLERY on AUGUST 30th

On Thursday, August 30^th, from 5-8pm, Momentum Gallery invites you to an Opening Reception for the group exhibition, Transformation: Earth, Water & Wood along with a collection of new paintings and textile works by Samantha Bates. We are so pleased to be showing such innovative work at our downtown Asheville art gallery! The reception takes place at the gallery's 24 N Lexington Avenue location and is free and open to the public. All are welcome. These exhibitions continue through October 31^st. 

Ron Isaacs, Arrow,acrylic on birch plywood construction, 42-1/2 x 50-1/2 x 4-3/4 inches.

The group exhibition, Transformation: Earth, Water & Wood features recent work by five Momentum artist partners: Mariella Bisson, oil painting with collage; David Ellsworth, wood; Vicki Grant, porcelain and mixed media; Ron Isaacs, trompe l'oeil painting on wood; and Ron Layport, wood. New York painter Mariella Bisson turns her attention to our regional waterfalls, depicting dramatic scenes of stone, water, and woods in her signature style. Bisson deftly delineates the sculptural planes of her subjects and often selects scenes that represent metaphors for adaptation and change. In ceramist Vicki Grant's new series of Botanical wall tiles, the NC artist explores rich texture through deep carving and beaded embellishments inspired by tree bark. Grant's latest free-standing totemic sculptures are also featured. Trompe l'oeil master Ron Isaacs refers to his work as being "exactly halfway between sculpture and painting." His birch plywood constructions, painted with acrylic, often portray the illusion of shirts or dresses (representing the figure) in the midst of a state of metamorphosis into foliage and branches. 

Mariella Bisson, Summer Falls Panorama, oil and mixed media on linen, 34 x 74 inches.

Transformation also proudly presents work by two renowned American wood artists, David Ellsworth and Ron Layport. Ellsworth, who recently relocated to the Asheville-area, is a preeminent wood turner with work in 36 museum collections around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Ellsworth's aesthetic embraces nature's irregularities and might be compared to the Japanese principle, wabi-sabi, where anomalies that arise through the process of making add uniqueness and elegance to the work. Ellsworth's turned work is done on the lathe while the wood is still green, allowing for unusual things to happen as the turned forms cure and dry. Precisely rounded vessels may become oblong and asymmetrical, or even split open -Ellsworth welcomes these effects as part of his creative practice. Some might find it curious that the masterful woodturner's latest series isn't turned at all. For his Ascension series, Ellsworth cuts blocks of burled wood into concentric rings, then telescopes them out into dramatic, towering spires. Interestingly, Ron Layport first learned how to turn wood in a class led by David Ellsworth. Over the past 30 years, Layport has established a place among the top wood artists in the world. Layport uses negative space as a design element, carving intricate patterns of wildlife and habitat into the surfaces of his turned vessels. The results are complex relief carvings that maintain the integrity of the original form despite having been completely transformed.

Ron Layport, Captured by Feathers, maple burl, steel, pigment, 12-1/2 x 29-1/2 x 4-1/4 inches.

Momentum Gallery is thrilled to debut a collection of new mixed media paintings and textile works by Samantha Bates. Bates' contemporary landscapes are inspired by her time in wilderness areas, largely in her home state of Washington. Through meticulous mark making and patterning, thousands of dashes and dots emerge into imagery of forests and water on the surface of Bates' unstretched and primed canvases. The artist's wall-mounted textile works are sculptural constructions with imagery of sky or trees developing out of sections of expressive marks she makes by 'drawing' with a sewing machine, embroidering, and weaving. Both exhibitions continue through October 31^st.

Samantha Bates, Reach Toward the Pacific, acrylic, colored pencil, artist pen on unstretched and       primed canvas, 52-1/2 x 48 inches.

Jordan, along with Momentum's staff, and our Artist Partners, would like to express our sincere appreciation for the enthusiastic response to our glass show this summer! Thank you to everyone who visited!  The Opening Reception, the Artist Reception, and our Artist Talk with Tim Tate were well-attended by friends, collectors, and esteemed colleagues. Troy and Sons provided incredible Momentum Mixers and Karen Donatelli Bakery created fabulous desserts that referenced the opulent glass work. As a community, you demonstrated how much you love a thoughtfully conceived and exquisitely presented collection of contemporary glass work from around the country - and we thank you for your support!  We look forward to seeing you again soon! Thank you for helping make our first thematic group exhibition such a tremendous success!!!

 Dale Chihuly, Terre Verte & Prussian Green Venetian with Madder & Gold Leaves, 

Blown and hot-formed glass, 17 x 14 x 12 inches

We are honored to present a special collection of work by two pioneers in the field of studio glass, Dale Chihuly and Therman Statom. Held in conjunction with Asheville's Summer of Glass, the collection features original blown glass objects from Dale Chihuly, Chihuly Studio, and original works including unique serigraph on plate glass shadowboxes from Therman Statom.  The gallery is also thrilled to include a curated collection of original vitreographs, printed in small editions here in WNC at Littleton Studios, when Chihuly and Statom visited the area previously. Note: Due to popular demand, we recently brought in additional Dale Chihuly vitreographs Ikebana, and Piccolo Venetians as well as a dramatic Chihuly glass sculpture, Terre Verte and Prussian Green Venetian with Madder and Gold Leaves.

The collection at Momentum is a nice complement to Chihuly's installation on view at Biltmore through October. Momentum Gallery's exhibition continues through August 25th.  If you haven't been in to our art gallery in downtown Asheville recently, come check out this amazing work!  

Andy Farkas, More than enough, Moku Hanga, 14-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches, Edition of 51

Dale Chihuly, Chandelier, Vitreograph, Edition of 50,  36 x 30 inches

We are thrilled to be exhibiting Dale Chihuly's intriguing work to commemorate the Chihuly installation at the Biltmore Estate! The Chihuly work can be seen at Momentum Gallery, along with the memorable work of Therman Statom, as part of the Summer of Glass 2018. The show opens with a reception on July 1st, from 5-8pm. Wine, beer, and light refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome. Come see Chihuly's work in our downtown Asheville art gallery through August 25th. 

 Dale Chihuly, Persians, Vitreograph, Edition of 50, 36 x 30 inches

Momentum Gallery will be exhibiting select glass pieces by Dale Chihuly in addition to an exclusive collection of vitreographs produced at Harvey Littleton's Studio in Western North Carolina. Chandelier, reflects the artist's series in glass which Chihuly has revisited since his ambitious Chihuly Over Venice project in 1996. Experience this series in glass at Chihuly at Biltmore, on exhibit through October 2018. 

Dale Chihuly (b.1941) is a multi disciplinary American artist with an extensive history in the field of studio glass. He is known worldwide for his creation of large scale environmental installations. He also creates sculptures for personal collections, paints, and has made prints and vitreographs based upon his noted work. As a pioneer in his primary medium, he cofounded the Pilchuck School of Glass in Washington state. 

Dale Chihuly, UNTITLED, 1981, Blown glass, 3-1/4 x 11-1/2 x 8-1/4 inches

Arguably one of the most famous glass artists in the world, he began his foray into design work when he attended the University of Washington in Seattle. In 1963, he took a weaving class where he incorporated glass shards into tapestries. Chihuly graduated from the University of Washington in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design. Chihuly began experimenting with glassblowing in 1965 and in 1966 he received a full scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin - Madison. There, he studied under Harvey Littleton, who established the first glass program in the United States at that school. In 1967, Chihuly received a Master of Science degree in Sculpture. Chihuly earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1968. At that time, he was awarded a Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation grant for his work in glass, as well as a Fulbright Fellowship. He then traveled to Venice to work on the island of Murano, where he first saw the team approach to blowing glass. After returning to the United States, Chihuly spent the first of four consecutive summers teaching at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine.

Chihuly's art appears in permanent personal, corporate, and museum collections all over the world, including in the United States, Canada, England, Singapore, and in the Middle East.

Dale Chihuly, Studio Edition, CHINESE RED SEAFORM PAIR, 1995, Blown Glass, 6 x 11 x 7 inches

Tim Tate, Summer of Love, Cast poly-vitro, mirror, UV LEDs, 32 x 32 x 3 inches

On Thursday, August 9th, from 4-7 p.m, Momentum Gallery is hosting an Artist Cocktail Reception in conjunction with its current contemporary group glass exhibition, Reflections. The reception takes place at the gallery’s Lexington Avenue location and is free and open to the public. Several artists whose work is featured in Reflections will be in attendance, including Tim Tate, Penland School of Craft's 2018 Benefit Auction Signature Artist as well as Thor & Jennifer Bueno and Pablo Soto, and other Momentum Gallery artists. The festive atmosphere will include fun food, cookies by Karen Donatelli Bakery, craft cocktails by Troy & Sons, and a raffle for the Center for Craft. The exhibition Reflections continues through August 25th. We hope you will join us for one of the most engaging contemporary glass shows ever shown in an art gallery in Asheville.

Alli Hoag,Taxonomy/Memory (detail), Cast glass, blown glass, silvering, mixed media

And, for more fun, head up to the Penland School of Craft's 2018 Benefit Auction, Friday and Saturday, August 10th and 11th. It’s no surprise that a number of Momentum Gallery's phenomenal Artist Partners are closely affiliated with Penland. If you’ve never been to the Auction, it’s only an hour’s drive north of Asheville and well worth the short trip! While you’re there, be sure to visit Penland Gallery’s Summer of Glass exhibition, Alchemy: Contemporary Studio Glass. Join us at the 33rd annual auction weekend: http://penland.org/support-penland/annual-auction/

 Therman Statom, Frankincense

In conjunction with the Summer of Glass, Momentum Gallery, in downtown Asheville, is pleased to present a collection of works by contemporary glass pioneer, Therman Statom. Featured works at Momentum Gallery include translucent shadow boxes constructed from sheet glass, screen-printed with various imagery and combined with found objects; a large-scale painting of two playing cards within a plate glass shadowbox with found objects entitled Summer Queens; a solid cast-glass house; and works on paper (vitreographs done at Harvey Littleton’s studio in Western North Carolina). Vitreography is a printmaking process, utilizing glass plates as the printing matrix, innovated by Harvey Littleton, “the Father of Studio Glass” in the early 1970s. Littleton continued to develop the process at his Western North Carolina studio after moving here, in 1976. A collection of Statom’s work will be featured in an exhibition at Momentum Gallery, opening July 1 and continuing through August 25th, 2018.

Therman Statom, Native

“I believe art can be understood both conceptually and intuitively. I think there is a need for the general public to come to an understanding that to appreciate art and creativity they must trust his or her self; that extensive education is not a prerequisite for understanding art. Much of what I do is seeded in what is more of an intuitive process; a large portion of my work is exploring these processes within people and their environments.

"The fact is, I believe that creativity is a part of all aspects of what people do; my studio and educational efforts via workshops and the support of outside programming, general educational and cultural institutions, are a reflection of this belief.

"I feel that art is a tool for empowerment and education. It’s also a viable tool to investigate positive change and engage a culture through the use of exploration." – Therman Statom

Amber Cowan, Sky Blue Summer Cluster, Flameworked American pressed glass, mixed media, 11 x 11 x 5

Momentum Gallery's curated group exhibition, Reflections (July 1 - August 25), features work by leading contemporary glass artists from NC and around the country. The overall collection alludes to the timeless traditions of opulence and grandeur at Biltmore Estate through objects that explore the intricate detailing and ornamentation indicative of the Gilded Age, a period during the late 19th Century when Biltmore Estate was conceived and constructed by railway tycoon George Vanderbilt. Additional works in Reflections examine concepts of memory and history, referencing the "downstairs," where staff lived and served the aristocratic family behind the scenes at the palatial mansion. Momentum Gallery is pleased to participate in the Summer of Glass, a Western North Carolina celebration of glass art in conjunction with Dale Chihuly's magnificent installations at Biltmore Estate, through October. 

 Kit Paulson, Touch Me Not, Borosilicate glass, 6 x 15 inches

Reflections is a stylish collection featuring work by several top contemporary glass artists from WNC and around the country, including: Thor & Jennifer Bueno, Amber Cowan, Jennifer Halvorson, Alli Hoag, Joanna Manousis, Andy Paiko, Kit Paulson, Pablo Soto, and Tim Tate.  

An array of sophisticated sculptures and wall pieces incorporate a variety of glass techniques, exploiting the diverse qualities of an enchanting material. Innovative use of mirrors and lenses challenge us to question perception in the mind-bending work of Alli Hoag and Tim Tate. Kit Paulson embraces ornamentation in her meticulous lampworked creations in borosilicate glass. Amber Cowan is currently working with a process which involves flameworking, blowing, and hot-sculpting upcycled American pressed glass. Reflections kicks off with a reception that takes place Sunday, July 1 from 5-8pm. Beer, wine, and light refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public. 

Joanna Manousis, Distilled Portrait III, Negative-core cast crystal, stainless steel, 10 x 6 x 6 inches 

Mariella Bisson, Waterfall Panorama, Oil and mixed media on linen, 34 x 74 x 2 inches

Momentum Gallery is pleased to host an Artist Reception with landscape painter, Mariella Bisson, on Friday, April 27th, from 4-7pm. This is a rare opportunity to meet Mariella and see some of her recent works, as she visits from New York. Wine and light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public. 

You can learn more about Mariella Bisson here: https://momentumgallery.com/artists/34-mariella-bisson/overview/

Mariella Bisson and Jordan Ahlers, Momentum Gallery, October 2017

“My mixed media paintings read as landscape, rock and water. They dissolve into abstraction and geometry. I begin with a field painting created outdoors on site. I avoid the use of photography, preferring to base my compositions on drawing and field painting having the immediacy and power of landscape in its rocky reality.

"I move between abstraction and figuration making images of primal forces -- gravity, light and darkness, endless geological time. Collage satisfies my need to improvise, to work quickly, using accidental and impromptu marks, drawing and painting freely across a textured surface of paper fragments. Layers of paper replicate geological layers of rock under pressure. Small flickering fragments of paper communicate the effects of sunlight and moving shadows.” – Mariella Bisson

Mariella Bisson, Tress, Morning Mist, Smoky Mountains, Oil and mixed media on linen, 38 x 50 x 2 inches

Born and raised in Northern Vermont, Mariella Bisson earned a BFA in Drawing from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY in 1978. Her work has won many awards including three years of support from the Pollock Krasner Foundation (1990 and 2014-15) and a 2012 NYFA (New York Foundation for the Arts) Fellowship in Painting. She has been awarded grants from the Gottlieb Foundation, Robert Rauschenberg’s CHANGE Foundation, the Artists Fellowship, The Dutka Foundation and others. Her travels have included more than 25 residencies, such as Byrdcliffe, The Hambidge Center, The Banff Centre, The Vermont Studio Center, and The Santa Fe Art Institute. 

Her paintings can be found in corporate collections including Philip Morris, Pfizer, White & Case LLP, Wedge Capital Management, Albemarle Corporation, Talisman, Dun and Bradstreet, Standard & Poors, and many others. Her paintings are also in several hospital collections including Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC and New Jersey, The Mayo Clinic, The North Georgia Health Service Hospital at Braselton, Ga., Fletcher Allen Hospital in Vermont, and Orange County Regional Medical Center in N.Y.

We are so excited to open a new exhibition of recent works by gallery artists, Michael Barringer and Jeannine Marchand, and to introduce the works of sculptor Michael Enn Sirvet on Sunday, May 6th, from 5-8pm. All three artists will be in attendance for the opening reception. Vibrant works by abstract painter Michael Barringer complement the sensuous, anthropomorphic sculptures by ceramicist Jeannine Marchand and architectonic works by sculptor Michael Enn Sirvet. This show opens May 6th and runs through June 23, 2018.

Michael Barringer, GB No. 7, mixed media on canvas, 48 x 48 inches

Michael Barringer's dynamic abstract paintings, draw inspiration from a multitude of sources including poetry, archaeology, astronomy, music, literature, and art history. Michael channels sensations, emotions, and ideas through his work mixing gestural, intuitive mark-making with organic forms, building layer upon layer of gesso, charcoal, pastel, acrylic paints and waxy oil pigment to make complex works that reflect the history of his process.

 Michael Barringer, Bloomstone (Burnt Norton), mixed media on canvas, 48 x 60 inches

Jeannine Marchand, Folds XCV, unglazed ceramic in steel frame, 50 x 50 x 2 inches

Sculptor Jeannine Marchand's sublime artistry makes unglazed white clay appear like draped fabric nestled within a steel frame. Marchand's freestanding and wall-mounted sculptures are minimalist and modern, yet remain visually engaging and accessible. Their allure comes through smooth, sensual folds thoughtfully arranged in cascading compositions which gently explore interplay of light and shadow.

 Jeannine Marchand, Folds LXXVIII, unglazed ceramic in steel frame, 36 x 24 x 2 inches

 Michael Enn Sirvet, Kasha-Katuwe, powder-coated aluminum, 19 x 22 x 11 inches

This exhibition marks the Asheville debut of Michael Enn Sirvet's sculpture, which can be found in major collections throughout the world. Many of his works feature organic and complex patterns formed from subtractive methods which balance negative and positive space. The artist hopes, "the simple intricacies of my abstracted, purified forms and assemblages will invoke recognition and impart the wonder I feel for nature." Michael's previous career as a structural engineer is evident in his multi-faceted architectural metal, stone, and wood sculptures.

 Michael Enn Sirvet, Rousseau Rain Mirror, aluminum, 26 x 44 x 1 inches

An artist reception for this exhibition takes place at Momentum Gallery, located at 24 North Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville, on Sunday, May 6, from 5-8 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Momentum Gallery (MG) Michael, thank you so much for taking the time out of your schedule to join us today. We appreciate it! Michael, tell us. What led you to becoming an artist?

Michael Barringer (MB)  Well, my mom is an avid reader and my dad was a true nature lover - I think those two influences definitely show up in how and why I do my work.

In fact, I come from a line of artisans; my maternal grandfather was  a quarryman who made his own tools and took a huge interest in crafting. My paternal grandfather was a blacksmith and a railway man who helped to build steam engines. He made things out of wrought iron, he painted watercolours, he made his own wine, grew vegetables.  In the midst of this creative gene pool, I seem to have inherited some of that.

Artistically, literature was my first love. I enjoyed thinking creatively and drawing and so I completed a graduate level painting and drawing program, after my undergraduate degree in English. It seems I found my calling and here I am!

MG Your pieces incorporate themes such as spirituality, history and religion. How do you incorporate those themes within your work? What form does it take usually?

MB  I think it goes back to the original poetic impulse we all have  - that drive to make things. Basic impulses haven’t actually changed that much. We’re all searching for something. If you go back through history and study behaviour, people have always had that impulse. In fact, in the Blombos Caves, off the Southern Cape coastline in South Africa, archaeologists have discovered artifacts one hundred thousand years old - seashells, beads, string and ground pigments. It’s really like an ancient paint factory.  

Bloomstone (Orchestral Palimpsest), mixed media on panel, 32 x 41 inches

 
MG You talk about your work being layered, of accumulation. What prompted that way of working?

MB If you look at TS Eliot’s work, Four Quartets, it talks of an evolving spiritual nature, where things mix together and then go back again.  I like that idea of new cultures being born, then changing to create a new layer, one after another, and snippets remain.  In the physicality of layering - form follows the function. The function is to suggest our accumulated history.   

MG  Poets are a big influence on your work. Who are you inspired by?  

MB TS Eliot again and Wallace Stevens from the early 20th century. He was a champion of the human imagination - he felt that it would replace religion in a way, that we would be generating everything from within and would live by that instinct.

Another inspiration is Walt Whitman - he tends to get back to primal urges and breaks through cultural differences. He shows that we’re all similar, that we all have these animal instincts. He encourages us to get back with nature and be part of it. It’s very interesting.

Kenneth Rexroth was part of the San Francisco Renaissance, a founding father of the Beat Generation.  He took all this knowledge, systems, arts, mixes them all together and writes poems about the subjects in a really well-informed way. His writing is really rounded with direct, stripped-down language. He’s always around somewhere for me.

MG Similarly, quilting is an inspiration. What can we learn from the original quilters throughout history?

MB Southern USA - I grew up with folks who made these real traditional-looking quilts. The designs were predictable and followed a pattern. Then I discovered the quilts made by the ladies of Gee’s Bend, a small, remote, black community in Alabama. For over 120 years, these African American ladies have been creating these  spectacular quilts which are so modern - like something from Matisse for example. None of these ladies would have ever been exposed to Modernism but these quilts are so bold and minimal. When you see them for the first time, it’s shocking. There is no explanation as to how they look so contemporary. It comes from within; a natural design sense. Their exhibition has toured the US - I had the good fortune to see them in Atlanta. Quilting pulls together old items with their own history and creates a new, current thing. That’s interesting to me.

Blombos Cave (Quilt), mixed media on paper, 30 x 22 inches

MG Your pieces range in terms of budget. Was that a conscious decision to hit different price points?

MB  My enjoyment comes from working with different sizes and different material. When I’m working on paper, it’s more like a diary in a way. They’re almost studies for the larger pieces. When you price, you’re using parameters, of course, as you need a benchmark.

MG Can you tell us about your working day? How do you balance family life with that of an artist?

MB That’s always the trick! It’s getting a little easier; my  oldest child is a senior now in high school, then come the twins who are 14. They’re a bit more self-sufficient and don’t need so much day to day care. I try to keep regular hours and not work at night - that’s family time.

You know my family are great at giving me feedback! They’re honest and direct. That opens up possibilities. My wife Mindy is a artist too, a graphic artist.  She is a good sounding board when I need it.

MG Has there been a stand-out moment for you, so far, in your career? What have you been most proud of?

MB  I enjoy submitting work to the large survey shows. Responding to a call for artists, and being judged blind by different curators, then being accepted is a really good feeling.

MG What inspires you?

MB  I tend to have the feeling that any finished piece isn’t quite what I wanted. I’m always coming back at it. I think artists always try to improve upon what came before, so that it’s more in line with your imagination. If you lose that, perhaps it’s time to rethink being a maker of things. That’s the drive of an artist. To become a little prouder each time.

MG Do you have any advice you'd like to share for budding artists?

MB It’s hard work! You have to work through some rough patches to get to the good bits. Be regular and consistent with the work and level of output. Some days I’ll come to the studio, clean up - that kind of activity is just as important as the days when i’m getting work done. Oh and stick with it. Good things will come.

MG As a gallery, we are thrilled to have you join our opening roster at such an exciting time for Momentum and the Asheville art scene as a whole, today. What's exciting you the most right now?

MB  I’ve known Jordan for many years, 17/18 years I think. He’s always been a real champion of my work. When he started his own gallery - I felt I should move with him. I’m excited about the number of artists too - it’s smaller which means it can be more focused. Jordan understands and appreciate the process, the making of a piece and what went into the finished result. From an artist’s point of view, it matters that it’s understood.

Asheville is such a vibrant city, with the university being here especially. It’s always been a place for fine craft in the region which is exciting. It’s getting a lot of national and international attention. It’s a beautiful place too and the people are honest, accessible, open. It’s pretty progressive.

Bloomstone (Curio Cabinet), mixed media on panel, 42 x 48 inches

MG Michael, as ever, thank you for being part of the Momentum Gallery family. We look forward to a wonderful year ahead together.

Michael will be one of the artists represented in Momentum Gallery's booth at Art Wynwood, February 15-19. His work can also be viewed at the gallery or by visiting https://momentumgallery.com/artists/35-michael-barringer/works/

Today, we’re speaking with Steven Goldstein, architect, art consultant, and Asheville local. Steven will be sharing with us his professional insights on buying art for a home, what makes a great piece and how to put a collection together (and how not to!).

Momentum Gallery (MG): Steven, thanks for spending some time with us today. Please tell us, how did your career as an arts consultant come to be?

Steven Goldstein (SG): That’s no problem, pleasure to be talking with you today. So, to answer your question, I used to run an architectural practice, specializing in private homes and high-end residential properties.

After successfully completing these projects, my clients started to ask me to work on other types of buildings, such as their offices, medical buildings, hotels etc.

Since 1969, I’d started to build my own art collection, and so when my clients came to visit my home office, they saw this for themselves, and understood how it related to the space which housed it. If they were new to collecting art, or their own collections perhaps were not so well thought-out, they would, from time to time, ask me to assist in putting together a collection for them. I’d worked with some of these clients for more than 20 years, so we already had a good working relationship and understanding.

MG: That’s fantastic; an interesting career switch to make. So in terms of helping your clients to choose a piece, as we all know, art is so subjective... from a collector’s point of view, should you simply buy the art you love or are there any ‘rules’ to follow?

SG: It really depends on whether or not you are new to the game. If you are experienced, then buying what you love and only what you love is probably the right advice. If you are inexperienced, buying what you love could land you with a whole lot of stuff you think is ordinary or weak later on.

When I start working with a client, I recommend they visit lots of different galleries to experience the differences. Some galleries are only interested in what sells; they’re more commercial and the work can be overpriced. When you dig deeper, you realize it's actually quite ordinary. Once the client has seen these variations, they should be starting to get an understanding of what are they drawn to. Non-representational work being a good example - if a client really doesn’t like that genre, there is no point in sending them to a gallery that specializes in that type of art. Then we move on to exploring what is good in the genres they like.

When we get to the point where there is an artist whose work stands out to them, I then like to teach the client to delve into the artist’s background. Knowing where they were trained for example, will help them understand and see the characteristics of that particular school coming through the work. We look at what this artist has done across their whole career, which with a mid-career artist would be a 10-15 year period. Only at that point will you understand who that artist truly is, and the nature of their work, and then you are equipped to pick the best piece for you.

Steven Goldstein speaking with artist Jeannine Marchand in front of her work 

MG: Thank you. So in terms of the purchase, should collectors have a space in mind or a predetermined idea of where it will live?

SG: It’s fine to have a spot for which you are looking. Sooner or later, though, most collectors end up buying pieces they don't want to live without and find a place to put them.

MG: Time to buy a bigger house, I guess! Steven, in your opinion, is it better to buy a bigger piece by a lesser-known artist or go for a smaller piece by a tried and tested ‘name?’

SG: Budget is important, although the second part of this question has little to do with the first. I advise people to know how much they are comfortable spending at any given time. The balance between bigger unknowns and smaller knowns makes no sense to me at all. If the process required for an unknown artist to produce a small piece is complex or costly, it may cost more than a large one by another unknown or even someone known.

And you know, this is where a gallery owner becomes a really important part of your life. They will help you not to buy purely on a visceral response ,but help you find what’s going to be magic in your life from an aesthetic point of view.

Clients get a sense and feeling about whether the owner is just pushing to sell a piece. When I work with Jordan for example, I know he’s not pushing. He shares lots of information, clients can ask his opinion, learn more about the process - how a piece was made, and what went into it.

Above all, I think art should not be looked at as purely an investment. Instead, see it as a joy - that’s the motivating factor. Of course, if you’re one of the very few people in the world who are spending a minimum of six figures on a piece, then you probably shouldn’t be doing that unassisted. A good art consultant will be adept in knowing what’s happening in the market and current values.

MG: How does one know if the art ‘goes’ in the room - should the piece blend, or stand out?

SG: I never recommend trying to tailor art selections to the decor of a room. Most of my collectors end up with eclectic collections. The important thing is that pieces be displayed in a manner where they aren't competing. For example, I discourage loading a space with very colorful pieces. It is good to flank something with lots of color with muted or monochromatic pieces. Contrast is critical to even noticing the art.

Hoss Haley, Large Tessellation (Cyan), steel, automotive paint, 48 x 43-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches

One other thing that’s important to try to do is don’t leave pieces hanging in the same spot forever. That just breeds familiarity! You get so accustomed to seeing a piece you don’t actually ‘see’ it any more. Small and medium pieces can be rotated and moved so that visually, they look fresh again.

MG: Great tip! Similarly, in terms of the colour palette of the room - match or contrast?

SG: Contrast as a rule, but there are no rules.

MG: Proportion is everything in interior design. What advice can you give in terms of sizing/hanging?

SG: Hanging art on a wall requires analysis of a couple of qualities. The critical one is the amount of detail in the piece and the distance from which it must be seen to be appreciated. This is tougher with smaller highly-rendered/detailed pieces. You need to be close to really appreciate them so they may be in hallways, small rooms where you are circulating around the perimeter, and in bathrooms. If so, I advise finding the central focus of the piece and placing that center at eye level for the average adult viewer. Since people's heights vary a lot, this usually means around 5'3- 5'6 above floor level. If you have clients who are really tall or really short, you have to vary that so they can enjoy the works since they are the ones who will be viewing them every day. I find the biggest mistakes are in mounting height.

MG: What lighting considerations should be made?

SG: This is hard. Most homes are ill-suited to art display in terms of lighting. Most art is best seen with very pointed specific light coming from over the shoulder of the viewer, but certainly out of his/her viewline. Large pieces may require more than one light source and/or accenting certain areas of the piece. Employ outside interior design talent to help you with this.

MG: Finally, any tips for housekeeping (how to protect your art)?

SG: Invest in feather dusters and compressed air containers that don't spray any oil or liquid with the air. Be sure that any piece that is under Museum Glass is cleaned only with products that won't streak or harm the surface. Usually cleaners made for fragile computer screens will work on Museum Glass. Oddly enough, oil paints and acrylics are the most forgiving, but they still should be treated with some delicacy.

I also urge everyone who collects fine art to insure it. Collectors do not buy work to have it sitting in a vault. We like to see it and let our friends experience it as well. A good art policy, in addition to your homeowners insurance makes it easy to live with one’s art and not worry every time you serve someone a glass of red wine.

MG: Steven, thank you very much for your expert advice and insights! As you know, Jordan, Momentum Gallery’s owner has enjoyed spending time with you over the years as a client, art consultant, and friend.

Should you wish any additional information about Steven Goldstein and the services he provides, please feel free to contact him through Momentum Gallery at email@momentumgallery.com  or 828-505-8550. 

We are so proud to be returning to south Florida for Art Wynwood, Presidents Day Weekend, February 15 - 19, 2018. This is our third art fair in the four months since we opened; we're not called Momentum for nothing! Building upon the relationships we have been establishing, we can't wait to showcase even more of our artists and their work in Miami's dynamic and cosmopolitan art market.

Thor & Jennifer Bueno, Terra Firma, blown glass, 48 x 48 inches

If you'd like to join us at the fair, please contact the gallery for complimentary tickets! Momentum Gallery is located at Booth #AW222.

Jeannine Marchand, Folds LXXXIII, Clay, wood, steel, 36 x 12 x 5 inches

We are thrilled that Hoss Haley's Low Shoulder Erratics were selected to be presented in Wynwood's Art in Public Spaces! Additionally, Michael Barringer's Bloomstone (Newgrange IX) was selected as the cover feature image for Artsy's Art Wynwood microsite! Congratulations to both of these incredible artists for getting such well-deserved recognition!

Hoss Haley, Low Shoulder Erratics

From artwynwood.com:

Since its inception in 2012, Art Wynwood has become the premier winter destination contemporary and modern art fair in South Florida, and offers the most diverse, affluent and culturally savvy international audience in the United States. Produced by Art Miami, the Art Wynwood fair will debut its seventh edition during Presidents Day Weekend, February 15 - 19, 2018, at the former Miami Herald site, which also is the new home of Art Miami and CONTEXT Art Miami, and welcomed 80,000 visitors during Miami Art Week 2017...

Art Wynwood will continue to showcase a dynamic array of works, featuring emerging talent from the contemporary market, mid-career artists, blue chip contemporary, post-war and modern masters.

Nestled between the Venetian Causeway and MacArthur Causeway, and just east of Biscayne Boulevard, Art Wynwood will offer an unprecedented level of convenience to and from Miami Beach while being located in the heart of the cultural epicenter of Miami. The new location will offer a renewed connectivity to the 29th annual Miami International Boat Show where the "World's Most Expensive Yachts are on display for acquisition", with complimentary shuttle service between the two daily.

Original works by the following artists will be featured in Momentum Gallery's booth:

Michael Barringer

Thor & Jennifer Bueno

Christian Burchard

David Ellsworth

Drew Galloway

Amy Gross

Hoss Haley

Ron Isaacs

Anne Lemanski

Jeannine Marchand

Maltby Sykes (1911-1992)

David Ellsworth, Line Ascending #10, Black ash burl, 37 x 8-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches

Sunday, February 11th, at 2pm, Momentum Gallery hosts an artist talk and demonstration with beloved local printmaker, Andy Farkas. Andy will discuss his creative process followed by the specific process of woodcut printmaking in the Japanese style of moku hanga, beginning with his carving technique and followed by his printing technique. He will demonstrate each (carving, then printing) and then participants may try printing under his guidance! 

Letting all questions fall away revealed the beauty of the moment-and his bliss, moku hanga

A 2017 documentary on Andy will also be shown. This opportunity to meet the artist and learn more about his work takes place at Momentum Gallery, 24 N Lexington Avenue, Sunday, February 11th, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all ages and abilities.

It came to her. She didn't ask for it, but neither did she push it away, wood engraving

Continuing through February 24th, an exhibition of Andy Farkas’ magical work occupies Momentum’s Feature Gallery. His wood engravings and moku hanga (Japanese watercolor woodcut) prints consistently delight young and old with their narrative depictions of personified animals combined with poignant original sayings in handset letterpress type. Come see a selection of Andy’s recent works, including the newest print, “Where I Go.”

 Seeing, they were bound to it-to follow it, what would they become, moku hanga

The past two months has seen Momentum venture outside of North Carolina, exhibiting at two of the most exciting fairs in the art world: SOFA Chicago and newcomer on the block, FORM Miami during Art Basel.