Arts Council offers flights of fancy

Art enthusiasts and supporters of the Bertie County Arts Council gathered last Thursday evening for the opening reception for the new showcase Flights of Fancy.

The show features the works of two well-known local artists — painter Tina Felder and Dr. Steven Ferguson, an avid photographer.

The show was a significant undertaking for the arts council, which teamed up with world renowned Sylvan Heights Bird Park in Scotland Neck to celebrate the arrival of the feathered sect.

Julie Connolly, an education coordinator and bird keeper at the bird park, offered a short presentation about the importance birds play and their distinction in the animal world. Sylvan Heights is home to breeding populations of some of the world’s rarest waterfowl. In some cases, fewer than 250 of these rare species remain in the wild, and the collaborative captive breeding programs taking place may be their last barrier against extinction, Connolly shared.

The event coincided with the return of Robins and Cardinals spotted in backyards and on the wall, painted and framed.

Felder, an accomplished and award-winning artist, holds many classes teaching the techniques used in painting winged subjects. The freelance painting instructor offers classes at Perquimans County Senior Center, Chowan County Senior Center, and the Perquimans Art League, where she serves as vice president.

Ferguson is no stranger to the Bertie County arts community. As a community leader and one of the most respected medical professionals in Eastern North Carolina, his compassion for patients is legendary. However, when hidden behind the lens, his photography subjects become his focus.

Ferguson’s photographic journey spans a wide range of subjects, reflecting a passion for the art form.

“Through the lens, I look for the beauty not just in framing extraordinary scenes, but ordinary lines, patterns and contrasting colors that tell incredible stories,” Ferguson noted.

Aside from the artwork gracing the walls of BCAC, the event always attracts those interested in culinary art.

Susie Remkes, president of the arts council, and board member Jeannie Carter created a table of Hors d’oeuvres and desserts along with red and white flights of wine for guests to enjoy.

Coco Woody, who attended the reception, said she thoroughly enjoyed the event and purchased an antique window, graced with a different Audubon painted in each of the six panes.

While Flights of Fancy focused on winged creatures, BCAC board member Lucy Daniels, a fan of man-made wings, displayed photos of her and husband Don Upchurch flying their ultralights high above the Chowan River, depicting fixed wing flights of fancy.

The show will hang throughout April.

The Bertie County Arts Council gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and on the third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The gallery is located at 124 S. King St., in Windsor.