THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 2, 1996 TAG: 9605300208
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 30 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Mary Ellen Riddle
LENGTH: 85 lines
Virginia watercolorist Vonnie Whitworth had a host of interesting art to ponder as juror for the first Dare County Arts Council Spring Art Show.
In her juror's statement, Whitworth said she looked for ``that one piece that strikes a chord in me right from the first glance.''
Last Saturday, the Nags Head gallery was hopping as folks viewed the art, ate some tasty pastries and pondered Whitworth's decisions.
Many of the pieces submitted were from established Outer Banks artists such as John de la Vega, James Melvin, Susan Vaughan, Ellie Grumiaux, Rick Tupper and Ray Mathews. But there also was an abundance of work on display by out-of-towners, emerging artists and some relative unknowns.
Even artists whose work we're used to seeing surprised viewers with a departure from their usual style, like Sandy Ball's painting framed in an old window and titled ``Wednesday Evening,'' and Edith Deltgen's watercolor flowers.
And some, whose art has delighted viewers for years, took their work to new heights.
Marcia Cline, known for her sea-life batiks, outdid herself with ``October,'' swimming fish done in soft multicolored dyes. Her rendering of form and figures is usually fairly loose, but in ``October'' she has tightened up on her draftmanship and composition, which contrasts beautifully against the liquid quality of the dyes.
Donny Ball's color photograph, ``Carolina Moon II,'' is a shimmering haze of light and color. Ball chronicles sunsets from his Colington home back porch. The picture is mostly sky, and the subtle transition of color from purple-black to pale sienna make a dramatic backdrop for the tiny crescent moon that he's framed like a prized jewel.
A whole show of these would create mass hypnosis.
Study the infrared photo by Lynn Greskevitch. ``Ring Around The Rosie'' has a surreal atmosphere that infrared film allows. The elements - a regal old mansion, a silver-haired tree and girls with long dresses flowing in a circle on the lawn - take turns offering stability and refuge from the whirling passage of time.
The show offers plenty of color to feast upon, including John de la Vega's ``Bruce Painting.'' Hints of brilliant bluish-purples shimmer below a pale, pastel surface.
John Silver's ``Old Kinnakeet'' is a blue, mirage-like watercolor of a sun-beaten structure that looks as if it's evaporating before your eyes.
In ``A 3 AM Awakening,'' Sara Birkemeier produced an active acrylic painting filled with faces and conflict and fish in bold, bright colors done with aggressive strokes.
Noah Dash presented an etching of ``Willets'' that's unforgettable, and Mike Lay, a local graphic artist, graced the show with his black-and-white linocut, a simple but powerful design that showcases his skills well.
Gail Hutchinson's ``Don't Skirt the Issue,'' a mannequin with a multicolored ``condom'' skirt, uses humor to make a delicate point.
Ocracoke artist Russell Yerks took first place with his watercolor of cats, frogs and foliage. Using interwoven leaves, patterns, colors and forms, Yerks has created a mesmerizing watercolor titled ``Little Cats With Big Dreams.'' Hopefully, we'll see more of his works in future shows.
Awards worth $1,000 were bestowed at the show. Stop by the Central Square location to browse through the wide variety of works, including sculpture, ceramics, paintings, drawings and mixed media.
The show will be up through June 22. MEMO: Mary Ellen Riddle covers Outer Banks arts for The Carolina Coast.
Send comments and questions to her at P.O. Box 10, Nags Head, N.C.
27959. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARY ELLEN RIDDLE
The Dare County Arts Council Spring Art Show was hopping last
Saturday as folks viewed the show.
WINNERS
1st place Russell Yerks, ``Little Cats With Big Dreams.''
2nd place Lynn Greskevitch, ``Ring Around the Rosie.''
3rd place John de la Vega, ``Bruce Painting.''
Special Awards
John Silver, ``Old Kinnakeet.''
Marcia Cline, ``October.''
Michael J. Davis Jr., ``American Made.''
Liz Dahlborg, ``Sailing Free.''
Barbara Sant, ``Lemon, Red, White and Blue.''
Donny Ball, ``Carolina Moon II.''
Kent Godwin, ``Harmony.''
Ellie Grumiaux, ``Old Nags Head Cottage.''
Chris and Nancy Nolan, ``Frisco Wader.'' by CNB