THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511230270
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
A desk in the form of a cat, a chair that perches on the floor as a bird and various other animals that transform into trinket boxes with the push of a finger are among the creations displayed at the 1846 Courthouse by Michael Creed of Lynchburg.
``Michael Creed: Sculpture, Furniture, and Toys'' opened Friday at the Arts Center of the Portsmouth Museums. It will be on exhibit through Dec. 31.
The exhibit features pieces that are both functional and visually stimulating.
``From a technical standpoint, I create pieces that do something,'' Creed said.
``I include elements that require physical interaction on the part of the viewer, converting him or her into a participant.''
Creed worked as a master carpenter repairing and restoring antique houses prior to turning his interest entirely to being a craft artist. Over the past 15 years he has done wooden interiors, furniture and sculpture by commission.
His recent exhibitions include ``Toys Will Be Toys'' at the Theater Art Galleries in High Point, N.C., ``Beauty and the Beast'' at Piedmont Craftsmen Gallery in Winston-Salem, N.C., ``The Objects of Our Desire'' at Salem College Fine Arts Center, Winston-Salem, and ``To See Or Not To See'' at the Nancy Sachs Gallery in St. Louis, Mo.
All toy sculptures are for sale. Admission to Arts Center galleries, which include three shows, is $1 per person.
Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
A bird, a frog and a worm decorate this little toy by Creed.
by CNB