ELKIN — Winter’s dreary days will be brightened on Friday when Elkin’s Smalltown Gallery opens its newest pop-up show, “Folk, Funk and Flash” for a one-month run. Smalltown Gallery, 111 Church Street, Elkin, serves as owner Tory Casey’s studio most of the time, but periodically, Casey curates an exhibit and sale of other artists’ work and opens the gallery to the public.
The upcoming show will feature new work by Will Fernandez and Peggy Petrocy, and will also include works from the private collections of artists Nancy Scheiber and Rosy Beverley which they have accumulated over their lifetimes.
Folk
Scheiber and Beverley, both Elkin natives, are artists in their own right, and over the years have accumulated sizeable collections of work by other artists. Some of those pieces will be included in the Smalltown exhibit.
Beverley is a photographer who became interested in folk art while living in New York City. She later moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, where her interest in folk art was solidified when she worked in a folk art gallery.
Scheiber, when asked when she first became interested in folk art, replied, “I can’t remember a time.”
The two women agreed that one of the things that define folk art is that folk artists are self-taught. They have not been formally instructed in art.
“Because of that,” Scheiber added, “folk artists are not limited to one medium. They are free to use whatever medium best expresses them.”
Beverley and Scheiber were childhood friends, and went to Salem Academy the same year. “I only lasted a year,” laughed Scheiber. “I was a troublemaker.” They talk easily with each other — first one and then the other bringing up childhood memories — often about art, and just as often about other things that have enriched their long lives.
“Between these two women, there is a tremendous amount of involvement with the community,” said Casey. “Not just in the arts, but in living creatively through art and activism. It’s important to recognize the matriarchs and to recognize the stick-to-it-iveness they have shown.”
Funk
“Folk, Funk and Flash” will get its funk from the ceramic sculptures of Will Fernandez. Sometimes realistic, sometimes humorous, and always entertaining, Fernandez’s ceramic work shows how an often-utilitarian medium can make a statement.
Flash
The exhibit’s flash comes from the small paintings of Peggy Petrocy. Petrocy’s paintings are bright, colorful, and evoke specific moments in time as well as her joy of life.
“We all need some humor, color and creativity to get us through the dead of winter,” said Casey. “This eclectic exhibition of folk art, vintage art, contemporary eye-candy paintings, and charming, ceramic pieces are all original and handmade. This is a wonderful opportunity to add to your collection, gift a Valentine friend with a special piece of work, and support the artists who have made this show possible.”
“Folk, Funk and Flash” will run from February 9 until March 9 at Smalltown Gallery, 111 Church Street, Elkin, NC. An opening reception will be held Friday, February 9, from 5p.m. -8 p.m. Wine and small bites will be served. During the exhibit’s run, business hours at Smalltown Gallery will be Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 12-5p.m. and Friday 12-8p.m.
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