Staff Report. January 14, 2011. BOONE --  Appalachian State University’s Turchin Center for the Visual Arts is welcoming the winter season with the celebration of six new exhibitions on Friday, February 3, as part of Downtown Boone’s First Friday Art Crawl.

From 7-9 p.m., the Turchin Center will be open for all visitors to take their first look at the current exhibitions on display, meet some of the artists, listen to live music and enjoy a refreshing beverage from the cash bar. A special “Donors Only” preview will be held prior to the reception from 6-7 p.m.

Main Gallery, East Wing (through June 2, 2012)

Robert Goodnough: Abstract Expressionism & Beyond is made possible by the David Illya Brandt and Daria Brandt Collection. Robert Goodnough (1917-2010) was an American Abstract Expressionist painter who moved among the second-generation members of the New York School. This exhibition continues the Turchin Center’s tradition of featuring historically important artists and their work. 

Community Gallery, East Wing (through March 31, 2012)

In partnership with Appalachian’s Department of Foreign Language & Literatures, French & Francophone Studies, Senegal: A Window into Francophone West Africa, is the result of the experiences of 12 graduate students of French who traveled to Senegal in July 2011. The resulting exhibition will feature artwork from artists in Senegal as well as images and research gathered by the participants of thistrip. The U.S. Department of Education’s Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program funded the trip.

Gallery A, West Wing (through March 24, 2012)

In collaboration with the Catherine J. Smith Gallery, the 2012 Department of Art Faculty Biennial Exhibition presents new work from Appalachian State University’s Department of Art faculty members. Faculty exhibitions provide an opportunity for the campus and High Country community to view and engage in the artwork of the people instructing Appalachian students. This exhibition will be located in two locations: Catherine J. Smith Gallery: January 30- March 2, 2012 and the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts: February 3- March 24, 2012.

Gallery B, West Wing (through March 24, 2012)

The Artine & Teddy Self-Portrait Collection features a selection of work from one of the most recent acquisitions to the Turchin Center’s Permanent Collection. Originally gifted to the Appalachian Cultural Museum, this major collection holds more than 250 paintings, drawing and mixed media work.

Mezzanine Gallery, East Wing (through June 2, 2011)

The 9^th Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition is a prominent, regional competition attracting the work of amateur and professional photographers from across the country that celebrates the unique people, place and pursuits that distinguish the Southern Appalachian Mountains. This is a program of Appalachian’s Outdoor Programs in partnership with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts.

Mayer Gallery, West Wing (through March 24, 2012)

Padre e Figlio features works by father and son, Mario and Richard Prisco. A fine artist and painter, Mario Prisco has been painting professionally for more than six decades and his work is largely influenced by his large, extended family of first-generation Americans and the Italian-Jewish neighborhood in which is was raised. Studio furniture artist and designer, Richard Prisco recently relocated to the Boone community to teach at Appalachian State University. His work is heavily influenced by his father and uncle and is currently exploring structure as crafted expression in his work. These two artists combine their unique styles to create one exemplary exhibition.

About the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts

The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts presents exhibition, education and collection programs that support Appalachian State University’s role as a key regional educational, cultural and economic resource.

The Turchin Center is located at 423 West King St., in Boone. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tues.-Thurs. and Saturday, and Noon-8 p.m., Friday. The Center is closed Sunday and Monday, and observes all universityholidays. There is no admission charge, although donations are gratefully accepted.

For additional details about the Turchin Center, becoming a donor, the upcoming exhibitions, to be added to the mailing list or to schedule a tour, please call (828) 262-3017 or visit www.tcva.org. You can also follow the Turchin Center on Facebook and Twitter @TurchinCenter.

Comments: