Erin Cramer joins Art Crossing

There is a new artist in Art Crossing, Erin Cramer. We are thrilled to
have her in 201 Studios and she is definitely an artist you'll want to
meet. It's always fascinating to watch a potter at work, and her
pleasant personality will draw you in even more. While she is usually
covered in mud up to her elbows, she is still able to sit and carry on
a conversation and answer questions while her hands remain busy at
work. You'll be pleased to know when you meet her that she enjoys
teaching classes as well.

Erin showed her talent early on as she was hired to help in a pottery
shop in Genoa, Ohio at the age of 14. She worked as an assistant
cleaning greenware, loading kilns, glazing pots and whatever else was
needed to keep things running smoothly. She learned how to throw pots
on the potter’s wheel by Jan Pugh at the pottery shop and she also
studied ceramics at Bowling Green State University.

Erin moved to South Carolina in 2006 to study Art History at Converse
College. After graduating in May, 2010 she worked as an Administrative
Assistant at the Spartanburg Art Museum. While she was passionate
about a career in the art history field she couldn’t quite let go of
her dream to become a full time studio potter. If she wasn’t busy
working at the museum or teaching pottery classes she was in the
garage making pots until the wee hours of the night. Thanks to the
support of her friends and family she was finally convinced to take
the plunge and pursue her dream.

After a recent trip to northern Italy, she was inspired by the great
amount of detail Italians put into the presentation and service of
their meals and occasions. Covering the table in beautiful pottery,
filling it with great food, and surrounding it all with laughter and
chatter amongst friends and family is what making pottery is all
about. “I like to play a small part in making this all happen by
creating utilitarian ware” says Erin. She is off to Italy once again,
Southern Italy this time, and is hoping to draw inspiration from the
renowned ceramics of the Amulfi Coast and its beautiful atmosphere.

You can look forward to seeing her new collection of pottery inspired
by this trip. She is planning on making large pieces used in
entertaining. Punch bowls and mugs, serving platters, carafes - just
the sort of thing that would look great on a dining room table filled
with guests for the holidays. So next time you are at a Farmer's
Market, filling your arms with fresh produce while talking to the
person who planted them, why not make your next stop be a stroll down
Art Crossing.

Stop into Studio 201 and look for the potter’s studio in the back.
Erin has a growing collection on display and specializes in custom
pieces. Her handmade pottery goes great with homemade food.

You can reach Erin at: 304-906-8813, erinleecramer@gmail.com or
through her website, http://erincramer.com

August Vernon paints Hines Ward

Art Crossing artist August Vernon paints Hines Ward "live" for the 13th annual Mel Blount Youth Home All-Star Celebrity Roast honoring Hines Ward, April 4th, 2010 Pittsburgh, Pa.

First Friday and Artisphere!

This weekend we have First Friday and we have Artisphere and we have great weather. Sounds like the perfect art weekend to me! Art Crossing is not officially associated with Artisphere, but our location puts us right in the center of things, and we are busy creating exciting new work.

At Art Crossing 101-112 studios:
Catherine has new hand painted frames, and acrylics on paper. Emily has new 4" x 4" original paintings on wood. August will be painting live. Christina will be showing her fresh summer jewelry. Susanne will be working on her latest mosaic. Cheryl has napkin rings with 1" x 3/4" original paintings. Larry has new miniatures, and new original watercolors. Al has photography on satin, and a new spring line of scarves. Jared has t-shirts with an image from one of his live performances. Ric will be showing off his redesigned studio. Scott will be showing his photography. Ashley will be doing her pencil portraits live. Guy and Marie are each participating as booth artists in Artisphere's Artist Row.

At Art Crossing 201 studios:
Patti will be creating her original silhouette portraits from 11 am to 3 pm on Saturday. Matt is unveiling a new sculpture in front of studio 201 at 3 pm on Saturday. Ron has new prints of the Greenville Train Station, and a new painting of the Reedy River falls. Teri has a great selection of hand woven scarves. Patrick will be showing his color photography of local and international places. Sarah is now creating one of a kind purses, jewelry, and accessories.

Come on down and check us out!

Artisphere 2010 is here!

Artisphere 2010 is here! Festivities begin Friday May 7 and run through Sunday May 9. Once again Artisphere will feature all types of cultural entertainment including visual art, performing arts, children’s activities, and more. This year Artist Row presents 120 artists from all over the US and beyond, including 14 local Greenville area artists. Art Crossing artists Guy Stevens and Marie Gruber are both proud to be participating as booth artists in Artist Row. Guy and his paintings will be at booth #10 in front of the Peace Center, and Marie and her photography will be at booth #60 in front of High Cotton.

Guy Stevens is excited to be participating in Artist Row once again. "Artisphere is a time that I look forward to meeting old and new friends from everywhere. Lately, I have been working overtime to produce new paintings in preparation for it. I am now totally buried in my newest oil painting, I am three weeks into it. The viewers have had great words of encouragement for it. Some of them, such as Suyin from Rhode Island, have made deep connections with this new piece and many others. To Suyin, my newest painting is all about dreams." Guy’s paintings “Three Little Somethings” and “The Fawn in the Apple Orchard”, shown below, are among his latest and will be featured in his booth #10.

Marie Gruber is also busy getting ready for Artisphere. She will be showing her photography on aluminum with custom aluminum and wood frames, as well as a selection of matted photographs. “This will be my sixth year participating in Artisphere and I am so happy to be included again. I do many street art shows around the country each year, and Artisphere is one of the very best. The artwork is inspiring, and the staff and volunteers are fantastic.” Below is one of her aluminum pieces, "Boneyard Lone Tree", which will be featured in her booth #60.

Artist Row will be open from 4 pm to 8:30 pm on Friday, from 10 am to 8:30 pm on Saturday, and from 11 am to 6 pm on Sunday. All 120 participating artists and their work, and well as information on performing art events, can be seen on Artisphere's website at http://www.artisphere.us/.

Hope to see you there!

Artisphere Artists of the Upstate

Susanne Vernon (studio #112) and Marie Gruber (studio #109) both had pieces selected for the juried Artisphere Artists of the Upstate exhibition. "This annual juried show, open to artists living within a 35-mile radius of Greenville, SC, seeks to recognize the outstanding quality and diversity of work being generated by artists of the Upstate region of South Carolina." Works from 51 upstate artists will be on display at Centre Stage starting April 9 through May 28, 2010, with an Opening Reception on Friday, April 9th from 6:30pm – 9:00pm at Centre Stage (501 River Street,downtown Greenville).

The exhibition is free to the public and will be viewable during Centre Stage regular hours of operation, during the April 9th opening reception, and during Artisphere festival hours (Friday, May 7, 4-8:30pm, Saturday, May 8, 10am-8:30pm, and Sunday, May 9, 11am-6pm).

Susanne's piece "Contemplation", shown below, was selected for the exhibit.

This exhibition is a part of Greenville's annual arts event Artisphere. From the Artisphere mission statement: "Artisphere: Arts.Culture.Life presented by Carolina First will be held downtown from Friday, May 7 – Sunday, May 9, 2010. Artisphere’s mission is to showcase the arts, reflect the area’s international flair, encourage economic development and bring awareness to existing local arts programs".

Passport to the Arts - Clemson SC

Sarah Kargol (Studio 201) is participating in a fun art event this Friday evening in Clemson from 5 pm to 9 pm. Passport to the Arts is 5 venues, 5 experiences, linked by the Cat Bus for just $10. Live music, spirits, food, fine art, & continuous shuttle to: The Arts Center Gallery, SC Botanical Garden Fuller Art Gallery, CU Lee Gallery, The Holiday Inn, and Remix (formerly Friends Cafe). Sarah's work is featured at The Arts Center and at Remix for their grand opening.

For more information, see the webpage http://explorearts.org/passport.html.

Joint show at The Woodlands at Furman University

Art Crossing announces a joint show by artists Cheryl Combs, Emily Clarke, and Ron Gillen at The Woodlands at Furman University.

The exhibit is open for viewing during normal business hours from April 5th through April 30th. Visitors must check in at the reception desk at the main entrance.


Cheryl Combs-Studio 105, presents 10 paintings. The majority of the paintings are pastel on a synthetic Japanese paper called Yupo and have won awards in national juried competitions.

Emily Clarke - Studio 111, displays 6 oil images inspired by family photographs and memorabilia. Her color palette is inspired by the Technicolor movie musicals of the 1940's and 50's.

Ron Gillen-Studios 201, exhibits 10 watercolor and mixed media works including three large paintings of the former Southern RR Passenger Station in Greenvlle. Ron paints a wide range of subjects, but is currently working on creating scenes of old Greenville and Greer. His paintings and photography have earned several awards in local juried shows.

M/A/M/A Mother Artist Mother Artist

Sarah Kargol, Art Crossing studio #201, is participating in the M/A/M/A Mother Artist Mother Artist Gallery Exhibit at the Arts Center Gallery in Clemson, SC.

M/A/M/A is "An exhibition that features artwork by a select group of women who share the role of artist and mother. The focus of the show is to examine how their experiences as mothers filter through and affect the artwork they produce". The show runs from March 29 through June 1, with an artist reception Friday May 7 from 6 pm to 8 pm.

the ARTS center
212 Butler St.
Clemson, SC 29631
Phone: (864) 633-5051
Regular Gallery Hours:
Monday - Thursday 10 am to 4 pm

Art For Hearts benefit for GHS

Christina Nicole Sawicki, Art Crossing studio #110, participated in the Art for Hearts benefit in February and recently had the honor, along with artists Lily Straton and Jessica Libor, of presenting donation checks from the event to the Greenville Hospital System. Christina says "It was such an honor to be showcased next to the ladies. With the help of all who participated in the event and purchased one of a kind artwork, we were able to raise over $700 for the Children's Cardiology Department at GHS. The evening was radiant with smiling faces and beautiful art. Thank you to everyone who made it out and those who were there in spirit. Thank you for helping support the Children's Cardiology department".



Dr. Ben Horne, Director of GHS Pediatric Cardiology (far left), and Casey Smith, Marketing and Circulation Manager of G Magazine (far right), join artists Jessica Libor (second from left), Lily Stratton and Christina Sawicki as they present their funds raised from the Arts for Hearts Benefit. The event supported the Pediatric Cardiology unit at Children’s Hospital of Greenville Hospital System.

The Dragon Awakes, Saturday, February 20th

Join us this Saturday the 20th to celebrate the grand opening of Cheryl Combs' new Skylark Studio at #105 Art Crossing. Cheryl will be unvealing lots of new work, Brad Jepson Quintet will play live music, and O'Cha catering will provide delicious nibbles. Festivities begin at 4:30 and continue until 8:30.