Enter the front door to be greeted by a wall of miniatures created by the artists of In Town Gallery. The month of July showcases a Kaleidoscope of colors, textures and mediums done by the resident artists. Miniature art has been in existence for centuries, tracing its heritage back to the illustrated manuscripts of scribes in the Far East and Europe prior to the 15th century. While not necessarily adhering to traditional subjects, thirty-four creative minds will be using their own medium of choice on a variety of materials to produce innovative reinterpretations on works no larger than 8” x 10”. Because the First Friday falls on July 4, there will be no opening reception. The exhibit runs July 1 – 31.

The artists have been encouraged to experiment with styles and mediums they do not customarily use and all will be excited to see the results of pushing their own boundaries. Painters, Maddin Corey, Ellen Franklin and Jennie Kirkpatrick bring foods and flowers to life on canvas just ripe for the picking. Popular Chattanooga Market artist, Doug McCoy, shares more of his whimsical drawings in pen and ink on canvas. Small landscapes are realistically handled in oil on canvas by Victoria Pearmain. Bright bursts of color in the much sought-after florals by Helen Brooks will be available and birds captured in acrylic on canvas will be a tiny treasure of Eugenia Johnston.

Man’s Best friend, dogs, are captured as recognizable breeds in stained glass by Carolyn Insler. Denise Bizot whose medium is a hand-held plasma cutter uses sheet metal and recycled objects from car hoods to oil can lids, creating lace-like designs which are then treated to produce an aged patina. Chattanooga landmarks and tourist destinations are Lori Ryann’s specialty using mixed media of photographs and encaustic. Mixed media collages full of design and pattern are the trademark of Leslie Dulin. Mary Beth McClure, in addition to bringing gems in glass to exceptional brilliance, will be making special glass tiles for this occasion. Expect some surprises from artists in the group who are excited to meet the new challenge of “scaling down” their usual formats. The main gallery will have the regular offerings of wood, metal sculpture, stone sculpture, paintings ceramics and fibre works.