Serendipity is a collection of new work by potter Sheila Fulghum and painter Helen Brooks. They are the featured artists for the month of June at In-Town Gallery. Visitors can meet them at their opening reception on the First Friday, June 3, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the gallery.

The title for this exhibit, Serendipity, means “the faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident”. Both artists agree that this is an appropriate description of what happens when they are creating their work. Sheila Fulghum can testify to that. “I’ve always felt there was a certain element of serendipity in working with clay. There are so many variables involved, the outcome of my efforts is rarely guaranteed.”

These two artists share the same philosophy about life and beauty although their art forms differ. Creatively, they both love color, contrast, design, shape and texture. Their pieces have been inspired by life’s blessings and motivated by its challenges. The highs and lows of everyday living and their view of the fascinating ever-changing world of nature are influences in their work, whether it is Fulghum’s clay or Brooks’ acrylic collages.

Fulghum began her love of clay in 1988 when she took an “Introduction to Wheel Throwing” class at the High Museum in Atlanta. She has been fortunate to have received instruction from several noted potters. Since retiring from Delta Airlines in 2008, she has devoted herself full-time to her craft. “Just as life offers many paths from which to choose, the variables within each path contribute to the outcome. Being open to serendipity in my life as well as in my craft has brought many blessings,” she explained.

For many years Brooks was primarily a representational oil and pastel painter, but through serendipity, noted artist Sandra Paynter Washburn directed her talents toward the wonder and magic of experimental watermedia. The paintings in this exhibit combine layers of acrylic paints, pours, collage materials, tissues, pastels, colored pencils and inks. Brooks’ intuitive way of painting is fun and always leads her into new and unexpected directions.

An elected member of In-Town Gallery since January 2010, Brooks has exhibited locally in Spectrum at the Hunter Museum of American Art, the Tennessee Watercolor Society, the Memorial Art Gala, Shuptrine Gold Leaf Gallery, Cutting Corners Gallery, Reflections Gallery, and in Dalton, the Creative Arts Guild; and in Nashville, the Central South Exhibition.

In-Town Gallery is located at 26A Frazier Avenue between the Walnut Street and Market Street bridges, adjacent to Coolidge Park on the trendy “Hip to Historical” North Shore of the Tennessee River. Founded in 1974, it is one of the oldest cooperative galleries in the nation, and presents the original work of more than 30 regional studio artists. It is open seven days a week year-round—11:00 am to 6:00 pm, Mon.-Sat., 1:00 pm—5:00 pm, Sun., and until 8:00 pm on most First Fridays. For more information call 423-267-9214.