In-House Framing Special

With an abundance of gorgeous moldings, and an amazing selection of archival mat options, it’s the perfect time to treat your most treasured items to framing! Through February 9, 2012 we will be offering incredible discounts on all orders placed using our in-house framing options.

Still Demanding

While we plan to close Up’s physical location this month, we are eager to continue demanding art in new, exciting ways. It has been an honor to work with countless amazing artists and loyal customers over the years. We are proud of the impact we have made together in our community and invite you to continue on this journey with us.

Always Demanding,

Tamara & Zan
Owners, Gallery Up

1.  First off, we have to know what inspires your work?

JB:  My work is inspired by beauty in the sense that I tend to synthesize elements or characteristics found in things, people, places that arrest my attention, make me take a second look, or disconnect me from my conscience mind into each and every piece that I make. More specifically, my work incorporates: the sturdy yet delicate nature of the petals of flowers, the curves and confidence of a fertile, voluptuous woman, the overlay of ornate architectural details, the repetition found on textile patterning, and often the flowing forms of avian critters. I’m also inspired by the general idea of creating objects that are involved in the act of serving food and presenting nuggets of nourishment to others. I think that basic act of breaking bread, engaging in conversation, and bonding with another human being can be enhanced by the manner in which that bread might be presented. If it is done so in a special way, it infuses the act with an air of extraordinariness, thus those involved are more aware of the mundane and everyday. The object serves as a symbol when not being physically used but instead set aside on display to view, reminding us of those meaningful moments of the past and helping us to look forward to those to come.

JM:  I love fabric, wrapping paper and anything with lots of activity and color. The more the better! Also when I create my pieces I sort of think of them as little figures. I enjoy changing arms, adding feet and adding buttons, hats and scarves.

2.  Can you explain your process and elaborate on any techniques you currently use?

JB:  My work is produced through a combination of building techniques. Each piece starts as either a form thrown on the wheel or as a slab that is draped in or on a mold. Often these two techniques are combined to make one complete work. All of the work goes through a series of similar altering techniques using a wooden rib to dart, an exacto knife to cut scallops, and my fingers to pinch a delicate lip. I use a variety of hand drawn paper templates to transfer a design, or often with the simple patterns, I will free hand the application of colored slips onto the damp greenware. The work is then dried and bisque fired. Glaze is applied through dipping or pouring with stages of wax resist application in between to create crisp separations between colors. Everything is then fired in my electric kiln to cone 6 and–voilà! It’s like Christmas on a regular basis at my house!

JM:  I throw and alter all my pieces and then I add colored clay sprigs to the surface. After I’ve added the color clay I then cut into the clay and create images. After this step, I inlay various colored stains.

3.  Who are some of your favorite artists and why?

JB:  Most of my favorite artists are those that I know personally and call friends. I admire them for the work they make and the people that they are. Their work is made with sincerity and integrity…two qualities I admire above all others. If you want to know some of the oldies but goodies that I love, those include: Bontecou, O’Keeffe, Giotto, Kapoor, Weston. Some contemporary ceramicists hanging on my bulletin board or living in my cupboard: Kloppmann, Galloway, Hatch, McGowen, Borgeson, Orr. I love them all for the skill that they create their work with and the eye they have for surface and form.

JM:  I love Erté, Matisse, Kandinsky, and William Morris. All these great artists either had the “more” factor I love or a great color pallet. I think all these artists also had a very feminine aesthetic to their pieces.

4.  What kind of space do you work in?

JB:  My studio is one half of a two car detached garage at my home in Nebraska City, Nebraska. The total space is 22′ x 24′ with my car and gardening stuff getting one half and my clay the other. I purchased the home about a year ago and quickly set about insulating the bare stud garage space and installing a gas heater. I have an electric wheel, a few work tables, and a small electric kiln. Next month I am cashing in on my boyfriend’s Christmas gift which is to help me hang dry wall, mud, paint, and put a ceiling with a ladder and area for storage in the studio. I can’t wait!

JM:  I currently am working in my garage while I build my new studio out in our back yard.

5. When do you usually make your best work?

JB:  Anytime that I can carve out a full day to focus on work in the studio and not have to think about anything else. This generally happens once every other weekend. Having a number of hours available to work in the studio let’s me get a good rhythm going and the work just flows. I also should say I work best when the studio is tidy (makes me feel like I have a clean slate) and I’m rarely in the studio before 10 AM (I am totally a night owl and can find myself working away until 2 in the morning without even trying).

JM:  When my kids are away from the house, I have a full day to myself and no one else to worry about.

6. Both of you are busy and commendable women.  Besides your art form, what else are you involved in or passionate about?

JB:  I work full-time as the Executive Director of the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts in Nebraska City, Nebraska. The center is home to a renowned year-round artist residency program for visual artists, writers, and composers from across the country. I also teach some after school clay classes for middle school students and really enjoy when I have the opportunity to do workshops or lectures about my work and my process. I am very involved in my community in working with various entities to develop tourism, the arts, and civil engagement in our town. I also love, love, love to garden and work on the landscaping at my new home. I love cooking and baking with my partner, Eric. I love sudoku. I love my house rabbit, Koji.

JM:  I think I’m really passionate about teaching. I recently starting teach art to very young children and I think it is amazing to see how their little personalities already are played out in what they create. I also really enjoy the young adults I teach at Winthrop. Once again I enjoy getting to know them and to be able to see how their personalities and creative process shine through in their work as well.

7.  What’s next for you?

JB:  In the short term, I’m looking forward to being in the Yunomi Invitational at AKAR and in La Mesa at NCECA in Seattle. Hoping to have a home studio sale as part of our local Arbor Day celebration towards the end of April. Have a little vacation to explore Ouray, CO on the horizon. In the long term, I think the next couple of years will see a continuation of my current balancing act between work-work, studio work, and life in general. I’m looking forward to getting involved in more public art projects in my region and hope to get a few more workshops or other opportunities to educate people about the ceramic process on the calendar. The plan is really just to keep making work and loving my life. Who knows where the path will lead me?

JM:  I’m really looking forward to finally having a space to myself. I use to work off our back porch in our old house so I could be right there for my children. Since our move and the opportunity to build my own space in the back yard, I’m anxious to see whether or not I can be successful at breaking that chain between mother and potter. I’m so use to multi-tasking that I’m almost wondering if I can just focus on me for once!

These distinguished portraits were in chipped gold frames with green velvet mats, circa 1925. It was definitely time for an change. In fact, it’s important to note the condition of your frames every 5 to 10 years – look for signs of sagging, warping, mildew, or creepy crawlies.

Face Lift

We wanted to update the packages with better preservation materials, and select a frame that would let the portraits breathe. The mats were cut in-house on our oval mat cutter and hand wrapped with deep green faux suede. A dark walnut frame with gold fillet better reflects the period the art was created. Museum glass will protect the work from environmental pollutants with minimal glare.

Handmade for someone special

Flora comes from an idea of bringing the highest quality vase work and ceramics to Old Town Rock Hill just in time to surprise that special someone for Valentine’s Day. Up will also provide the “flora” for those patrons purchasing a vase during the opening reception on February 9.

Both Jenni Brant and Jennifer Mecca make elegant and carefully crafted vessels and ceramic ware meant to ritualize, celebrate, and bring merriment to the traditions found around the dinner table. Their elaborate surface treatments bring a level of sophistication and excitement to their utilitarian forms.

Jenni Brant

Brant comes from Nebraska City, NE and is also the Executive Director of Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts. She received a BFA with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and an MFA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  She was named an Emerging Artist of 2008 by Ceramics Monthly and was recently recognized as a finalist for the Lydon Emerging Artist Program through the Society for Contemporary Craft in 2010. Her work has been featured in Ceramics Monthly, 500 Plates & Chargers by Lark Books, and as a Nebraska Story on NET television. She is represented at Terra Incognito (Chicago, IL), Artisan Gallery (Paoli, WI), Lost Coast Culture Machine (Fort Bragg, CA), LUX Center for the Arts, and Sheldon Museum Store (Lincoln, NE).

Jennifer Mecca

Mecca maintains a home studio in Gastonia N.C. as working potter, and teaches ceramics at Winthrop University. She earned her M.F.A. at East Carolina University, and during that time she studied abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia, Estonia, and Finland through an exchange program sponsored by East Carolina University. Her work has been featured in Ceramics Monthly, Clay Times, 500 Cups by Lark Books, and Introducing Ceramics. Mecca’s work can be seen in several fine-craft galleries on the east coast, and she has also exhibited work at the North Carolina Pottery Center, the Rocky Mountain Museum of Art, Greenville Museum of Art, Genaseo State University, and the Odyssey Center for Ceramic Art.

The Picasso Project is a student art competition for South Carolina students grades 6-12. The project is designed to recognize artistic excellence in South Carolina students while helping raise funds for the The Children’s Trust of South Carolina through the sale of donated student artworks.

The Children’s Trust of South Carolina

The Children’s Trust of South Carolina is a statewide organization for the prevention of child abuse, neglect and unintentional injuries. They develop creative solutions, such as The Picasso Project, while providing resources and technical support around the state.

The Picasso Project is a great opportunity for students to share their talent and gain exposure while supporting a great cause. Our very own Ashley Herron participated in the contest as a high school senior and won 1st place for her region and for the state. Years later Ashley is able to contribute back to The Picasso Project by serving as a regional judge.

Submitting

South Carolina is divided into 9 regions. Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster and York county students can submit their works for Region 3 at the Chester County Library the week of March 5- 9, 2012. Up representative Ashley Herron will serve as Region 3 Judge. Regional winners go on to compete at the state level juried in Columbia.

Region 3 :  Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster and York counties
Judging Date : Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Location : Chester County Library, 100 Center St., Chester, SC 29706
Set-up time : 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Judging Time : 1 p.m.
Contact : Tally Johnson, 803-377-8145, tjohnson@chesterlibsc.org

For more details on how to submit please click here.

Not only do students win but so do teachers! State Level winners receive a certificate and a VISA gift card.

• 1st Place Winner for art & photography -  $250 to student – $250 to teacher
• 2nd Place Winner for art & photography - $125 to student – $125 to teacher
• 3rd Place Winner for art & photography -  $75 to student – $75 to teacher

Call us at 803.980.5355 for more information.

Follow us on Facebook and catch our tweets @Gallery_Up.

Framing Heirlooms is a great way to keep memories fresh and celebrate your heritage.

Pocket Watch
To showcase and protect this gorgeous pocket watch, we chose a dramatic shadowbox and Museum glass.

The back of this watch is just as cool as the face; an oval cut and Museum glass in the back of the frame was a perfect solution!

As always follow us on Facebook and catch our tweets @Gallery_Up.

Check out new artist and new work from Up’s retail shop throughout the month of January featured in the gallery.

• Harriet M. Goode
• Yoko Sekino-Bove
• Taryn Backus
• Eclectic Orchid
• Marge Loudon Moody
• Mike Gentry
• Human Shaped Robot
• Kyle Morrissey
• Heather Knight
• Paula Smith
• Jay Owens
• Ashley Gierke
• Coey Kuhn

Gallery Up started with a simple idea, to represent and showcase artists from the area. Our reach has extended a bit over the years but at heart we still have the same goal. Most of our artists hail from the Carolina’s, many from right here in Rock Hill. Here’s just a few of our local Up artist.

Michael Hamlin-Smith
Self taught ceramics artist, Michael Hamlin-Smith creates ceramic vessels inspired by plants and flowers. His work features elegant profiles and rich, unique glazes.

Plural Studios
Courtney Starrett and hubby Michael Gayk are Plural Studios. Together they create unique wearables using exciting new 3d technology and printing.  Courtney and Michael have exhibited across the U.S. as well as England and Germany. Courtney has also been featured on the cover of Metalsmith magazine as well as published multiple times in Lark Book’s 500 series.

Human Shaped Robot
Self described as a “Graphic design robot by day, screen print robot by night.” Jamie Reed designs and prints from his garage studio in Charlotte.

Dominique Verechia
Rock Hill artist, Dominique, received her BFA from Winthrop University.  After graduating, she interned at Up and traveled to Europe to immerse herself in living works of art history.  Now an ambassador for the Friday Arts Project, she works out of  Old Town Rock Hill concentrating on painting, mixed media, and polymer lift.

Ben Grant
He may be shy but does he know how to use his lathe! Ben creates beautiful wooden bowls and vessel using the finest of woods.

Seth Rouser
After attending Winthrop University for his Undergrad and getting his Masters from East Carolina University, Seth return to lil ol’ Rock Hill. Now a professor at Winthrop, Seth teaches a range of foundation classes and continues to introduce new and exciting mediums to his students and the area.

In additions to all of our wonderful artist all of us here at Up are practicing artists – We’re as local as it get! Jessica Johnson our framer makes beautiful handmade, hand bound sketch books under her studio name Bounden Studios. Chris Lange, our in-house alpha-male, has a beautiful framed b&w photograph in shop and our littlest one Ashley Herron has a selection of studio jewelry and screenprints.

Look for work by all of these artist online in our shop.

Follow us on Facebook and catch our tweets @Gallery_Up.

Gallery Up started with a simple idea, to represent and showcase artists from the area. Our reach has extended a bit over the years but at heart we still have the same goal. Most of our artists hail from the Carolina’s, many from right here in Rock Hill. Here’s just a few of our local Up artist.

Jim Connell
An internationally acclaimed ceramic artist, Jim has work in a number of museums including the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh. His work has been accepted to some of the most premiere ceramic exhibitions. In addition to making Jim is head of the Winthrop University ceramics department.

Mike Gentry
Winthrop grad, Mike is making his name known around town. He has his hands in everything from booking bands for The Courtroom at Gettys, working at the Center of the Arts, as well as making mix media works his own studio in the Basement of the Gettys Art Center.

Harriet Goode
Celebrated Rock Hill native and loved local art patron, Harriet has been running her painting studio in Old Town since the early ‘80s. Her paintings of women have been awarded top honors throughout her career as well as purchased for several private and corporate collections around the world.

Marge Moody
Hailing from Scotland, Marge now lives with photographer husband Phil Moody in Rock Hill – both professors of art at Winthrop University. Marge has received numerous grants in support of her work, from notable groups such as the Arts & Science Council in Charlotte, NC. Marge was also awarded an Affiliate Artist residency at McColl Center back in in ’06.

Jacob Olsen
Our framin’ intern, with not much longer left to go in school, creates elaborate mix media collages as well as fine art photographs. Keep an eye on this young one, he’s sure to go far.

Dustin Shores
Photographer Dustin Shores graduated with a BFA in Photography from Winthrop University just a few short years ago but has already made a name for himself in the Charlotte area.  Dustin uses his photography as a means to work with the community; he has worked on art projects with children from the Blackmon Road area in Rock Hill and First Ward in Charlotte.

In additions to all of our wonderful artist all of us here at Up are practicing artists – We’re as local as it get! Jessica Johnson our framer makes beautiful handmade, hand bound sketch books under her studio name Bounden Studios. Chris Lange, our in-house alpha-male, has a beautiful framed b&w photograph in shop and our littlest one Ashley Herron has a selection of studio jewelry and screenprints.

Shop Local! Look for work by all of these artist online in our shop.

Follow us on Facebook and catch our tweets @Gallery_Up.