A reception Friday, Oct. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. will open "Clocktoberfest" at In-Town Gallery, 26-A Frazier Ave.
The new show by artists Denice Bizot and Nadine Koski is whimsical, utilitarian and beautiful. Bizot, a metal sculptor, and Koski, who is primarily a painter working in encaustic, bring their creativity to a show that is fun and engaging.
In keeping with their theme, the artists will serve beer, bratwurst and sauerkraut at the opening reception.
"Clocks are utilitarian, of course," says Koski, "but there are all sorts of things, like cellphones, that tell time, so we wanted to have some fun with the idea of analog clocks and see where we could stretch things visually. I mean, you don't even need to put numbers on them and people can still tell the time."
"Quarter Time" by Denice Bizot combines walnut, steel and paint.Both artists take a freewheeling approach to mixing mediums and materials.
"What we're really about," Bizot says, "is visual exploration. We're playing around with the concept of design, pushing limits and seeing where things lead."
Bizot, who graduated from Loyola University with a bachelor of fine arts degree, enjoys reworking metal objects from salvage yards or from materials she finds discarded by others.
Koski has emerged as one of the area's foremost painters working in encaustic. She thought the show featuring clocks fit with what she was doing.
"I paint on Masonite so I thought I could do something with a combination of paintings on panels and clock mechanisms. I've got band saws and scroll saws in my shop and just began to take the designs where they wanted to go. I'm really having fun with this and really enjoy fooling around with 3-D. In fact, one reason I like encaustic is all the layering you do. I enjoy using materials that provide a little science with the process and a little mystery in the results."
"Clocktoberfest" will run at In-Town Gallery through the end of October. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
For more information: 423-267-9214.
MORE OPENING RECEPTIONS
» Michael's Fine Art and Framing: Opening of "Mixed Media Explorers in 2D and 3D," Friday, Oct. 5, 6-8 p.m., 1325 Dug Gap Road, Dalton, Ga.
» North River Civic Center: Opening of North Georgia Sky Painters exhibit, "Of Sky and Sea," Sunday, Oct. 7, 1-3 p.m., 1009 Executive Drive, Suite 102
» Reflections Gallery: Debut of fine-art photography by Sybil McLain-Topel and Lin Prabish, Friday, Oct. 7, reception 5-7 p.m. and artist talk by Prabish 6:30 p.m., 6922 Lee Highway.
» River Gallery: Honoring featured October artists Michael Hamlin and Scott Hill; Friday, Oct. 5, 5:30-7 p.m., 400 E. Second St.
» Southern Adventist University: Opening of "Come, Meet Me at the Mirage" featuring works by alumna Janelle Junn, Thursday, Oct. 4, 6 p.m., John C. Williams Gallery in Brock Hall on campus.
» Townsend Atelier: Honoring Grant Wood's show of landscapes and figurative works, Friday, Oct. 5, 5:30-9 p.m., 301 E. 11th St.