'A Breath of Fresh Art'

In-Town Gallery's Spring Preview introduces four new artists

By Ann Nichols

annsnichols@aol.com

Every year, In-Town Gallery's artists showcase their newest work in a special holiday exhibit and in a spring preview. These exhibitions also serve to introduce new members inducted into Chattanooga's oldest cooperative gallery.

On May 7, the opening for the Spring Preview will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. New members that will be featured are Helen Brooks, Sheila Fulghum, Jennie Kirkpatrick and Linda Thomas.

Ms. Brooks' acrylic and mixed-media paintings are characterized by color and patterning. Her palette ranges from bright, cheerful colors to somber, moody hues.

Ms. Fulghum creates complex, hand-built ceramics. Finding the glaze that is appropriate for each pot is essential. Still, she says her work is experimental as she never knows what will result until the last firing.

Ms. Kirkpatrick's watercolors are inspired by her travels and time spent with her family.

"Sometimes I do sketches, but more frequently, I take photographs of subjects that interest me," she said. "Then the idea percolates for days, months, even years until I have come to terms with how I can show the subject in a unique way -- not necessarily the way it actually existed."

Ms. Thomas works with the printmaking technique of intaglio. In a realistic manner, she depicts everyday objects and wildlife. For her portion of the show, she will exhibit images from her Blue Chair Series.

"The subjects are chairs and birds which contrast the natural organic lines and texture of the birds with the man-made object," she said. "Sometime I add a watercolor wash or Prismacolor accent to the etching."

In addition to these four new artists, In-Town's 30 other members will exhibit in the mediums of glass, jewelry, photography, painting, fiber, clay, wood and sculpture.

Spring Preview continues through May.

In-Town Gallery, 26 Frazier Ave., is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m Monday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Call 267-9214.

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