‘Tis the holiday season, and In-Town Gallery has “The Art of Gifting” all wrapped up. Every November the entire gallery is refreshed with all new work from more than 30 artists, so that unique and never-before-seen art treasures are available for those special gifts. At this time new members recently inducted into the cooperative are introduced: jeweler Laura P. Brock, and oil painter Maddin J. Corey. A festive reception from 5pm to 8pm on the First Friday, November 2, where you can meet all the In-Town artists, launches the exciting holiday gifting season.
An expert craftsman of sterling and fine silver jewelry, Laura Brock is fulfilling a childhood desire with her work. When her mother took her to many outdoor arts and crafts fairs, she was most in awe of the silversmiths’ work, and dreamed she could do that some day. She began that journey with classes at the John C. Campbell Folk School (NC) and the studio of Molly Sharp (Hand in Hand Gallery, Flat Rock, NC) and personal study. Now Brock creates her own pieces in her own studio and also works as an assistant jewelry instructor at the Folk School.
Each day she steps into her studio, she has something in mind that takes her to her bench. “I love thinking through the way a piece of jewelry must come together. I enjoy using the torch, rolling patterns, and cutting sheet. Even mundane requirements like filing, brass brushing, and sawing have a mesmerizing effect.” Brock finds great satisfaction knowing that a piece was crafted from unrelated materials that work well together. “I just love it!”
Native Chattanoogan Maddin Corey has explored various mediums to express her artistic vision, and will be presenting still lifes and portraits in oil on canvas at In-Town Gallery. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she has pursued art classes locally at Chattanooga’s Townsend Atelier, and at various workshops across the Southeast. Her clay collection, “Pears I Have Known” is currently at River Gallery. Corey is a mentor in Mark Making’s mural project on Riverside Parkway - 20:20 Vision - partnering with Howard School.
A member of AVA (Association for Visual Arts), the Cecelia Beaux Forum, and the Portrait Society of America, Corey has exhibited her portraits at the Shuptrine Fine Art Group in Chattanooga. Recent participation in regional shows includes Personal Vision 8+2 at Exum Gallery, Artamajig at Tanner Hill Gallery, and the AVA All-Member Show - all in Summer 2012. Corey’s large-scale painting, Roses, was juried into the 2012 Dogwood Arts Festival fine arts exhibit at Knoxville’s Emporium Gallery. In 2009, her Kate - Suspicious of Face Paint was juried into AVA’s Doubt exhibit. Her portrait, Marie - Marie’s First Perm was included in the 2007 “Top Ten in Tennessee”.
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In-Town Gallery, founded in 1974, is one of the oldest cooperative galleries in the nation. It presents the original work of more than 30 regional studio artists. Located at 26A Frazier Avenue, between the Market Street and Walnut Street bridges, it is adjacent to Coolidge Park on the trendy “Hip to Historical” North Shore of the Tennessee River. The gallery is open every day year round, except major holidays. Hours are 11am to 6pm, Monday-Saturday, 1-5pm Sunday, and until 8pm most First Fridays. For more information call 423-267-9214, or visit www.intowngallery.com or www.facebook.com/intowngallery.