Former students, teachers of Townsend Atelier contribute work to new exhibit [photos]

When Main x 24 kicks off its 10th anniversary party Saturday morning in the Southside neighborhood, a new art exhibit will be added to the holiday fun.

Townsend Atelier is hosting “Circle,” an exhibit that brings work created by its former students and instructors back to the gallery for a large display of talent on small, 4-inch, pulp-board coasters.

Peggy and Stan Townsend say they wanted a way to include all their alumni, yet mount an exhibit of work that was small enough to be easily portable for shoppers. So the couple mailed 4-inch circles to more than 100 former students and art teachers, challenging them to use it as a surface on which to create anything they wished. No limits were given as to theme, imagery or medium, but three circles were the maximum number of submissions allowed per artist, and no artwork could be priced over $300.

“I have to say people took the challenge seriously and put a lot of thought into it,” says Peggy. “We have 150 works of art representing 60 artists. Prices start at $10 and go to $300.”

Robin Wellner of Charlotte, N.C., submitted three faces done in oil.

“I paint faces all the time,” she says. “I decided to zero in on lips for fun – so mine are close-ups of three different people’s mouths.”

Ellen Franklin submitted “I Like It Black,” a coffee cup and saucer painted in actual coffee. Janis Wilkey submitted three oil portraits on her circles, all three titled in Italian: “Innocente,” “Sirena” and ‘The Madonna.”

Natasha Nashadka of Huntsville, Ala., says her teenage daughter was the model for her series of emotions expressed in oil-painted circles.

“I’ve always been drawn to painting people. When we look back at old photos we’ve taken, landscapes aren’t that interesting, but we light up and get excited by the people in our lives. That’s always been a theme in my art,” Nashadka says.

Stan Townsend believes the circle theme perfectly symbolizes art created at the gallery.

“The cyclical tradition of artistic knowledge and skills being passed from teacher to student through classes and mentorship is a time-honored tradition and one that we are proud to keep alive. The strong circle of art community and friendships formed through our studio is so rewarding,” he explains.

The Townsends say any pieces not purchased during Main x 24 will be sold afterward online at www.townsendatelier.com. All sales will be divided 50-50 between artist and gallery, they say.

Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.