Holiday season at Carlton Gallery


Foscoe is the place for original glass art


Special to The Mountain Times
The dramatic shift of seasons in the High County along with the inspiring mountain environment allows Carlton
Gallery to exhibit new art work by the gallery’s artists to reflect the beauty of each season. The Holiday Season is eagerly anticipated by all, and the sculpture of Carlton Gallery’s blown glass artists creates an exquisite display for this beautiful time of year.

The glass artistry of John Littleton and Kate Vogel exhibited in “Acrobags” blown glass sculpture with acid etched surface in turquoise, green and gold, along with purple, ruby and green exemplify unity and simplicity of visual form. Littleton and his wife and partner, Kate Vogel, are graduates of the University of Wisconsin. They are the creative force behind Littleton, Vogel, Inc. Within the glass community, their work is known for its sense of energy, playfulness and growth. Littleton/Vogel are former teachers at Penland School, and their artwork is in many corporate and private collections, as well as museums throughout the U.S. and Europe. Collections of Littleton/Vogel can be seen at the Smithsonian as well as the White House.

Rick and Valerie Beck are a husband and wife team whose original designs in blown glass are inspired repetitive patterns, such as alternating colors on a checkerboard, old wallpaper patterns, or the lines and veins on a leaf. Though both artists work in the medium of glass, their work attests to the infinite possibilities of glasswork. His emphasizes complex issues of form, space and light, while her vessels provide a delicate _expression_ rich with energy and color. The _layer_ing techniques used in their exquisite pieces are accomplished by both artists, separately as well as working together. The Becks are former Penland School resident artists whose work is featured in galleries in N.C., TN, AL, FL, New York City, Chicago and Philadelphia.

The glass sculpture of Fred Mead in the form of candleholders, candelabra, coasters, tables, and shells remind one of Winter’s ice phenomena - freezing and thawing and refreezing. Each piece of sculpture created by Mead is made from recycled glass in turquoise, clear or opaque. Mead earned a B.F.A. at Columbus College of Art and Design. His glass sculptures are highly collected by glass aficionados, as he is the recipient of many awards for his unique art work.

Several other glass artists are represented at Carlton Gallery. Delicate goblets by Kenneth Lake Craner or Mana Ray vases by John Geci, also from the Penland area along with colorful bowls and vases by Greg Fidler are a reflection of the light of the season. Candlelight is a lovely way to set a holiday mood and the handcrafted candles by Chloe Ives are long burning with scents of pure and natural essential oils.

Everyone is welcome to visit Carlton Gallery as the Holiday Season unfolds to view the glass sculpture, fine art, and handmade crafts from more than 300 artisans, as the gallery’s 25th Winter Exhibition continues through March 15th. The gallery is located 10 miles south of Boone, NC and 7 miles north of Linville, NC. Gallery Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, please call (828) 963-4288 or visit www.carltonartgallery.com.