Throwing Pots for Aroma of Art

When Rosalie De Fini Outlaw was the Executive Director of the Humane Society of Catawba County several years ago, she co-founded Aroma of Art with Taste Full Beans owners DW Bentley and Edgar Hernandez, Jennifer Hart of ALFA and Lisa Miller of the Women's Resource Center. Rosalie has donated a piece of art to the fundraiser each year of it's existence.

The first few years she donated photography, and now she donates pottery. Jason ahs donated pottery to Aroma of Art for the past two years. This year we wanted to take it to the next level.

Oulaw Pottery donated several pieces of art, inclduing a lizard chip and dip platter and a pottery birdhouse.

During our Holiday Pottery Show and Sale at Taste Full Beans in December, Jason Outlaw asked the attending potters to throw pieces of pottery on his wheel for demonstration during the show.

Each potter donated those pieces for the Aroma of Art fundraiser. The pieces were glazed and fired by Outlaw Pottery for the event. Those potters include Roger Corn of County Line Jug Shop (Lula, GA), Amanda Dobbins of Rosylou Pottery (Hickory, NC), Jesse Rivera and is 12-year old son, Cesar Rivera (Lincolnton, NC).

The offerings of these fine potters are up for auction for Aroma of Art at Taste Full Beans Coffee House in downtown Hickory to benefit ALFA and The Humane Society of Catawba County. There is still time to get a bid number and be a part of Aroma of Art - drop into Taste Full Beans during the next week to bid on your favorite pieces.

Spencer Huffman of Pixelated Perceptions

The 2010 Aroma of Art auction features several wonderful photographers in our area. Spencer Huffman of Pixelated Perceptions is our latest artist to be interviewed for the blog. He will be exhibiting some of his work this summer at the McColl Center of Visual Art in Charlotte.

What is your background/how did you get started in your medium?

Well, from a very young age I've always loved art and been drawn to it. It all started back in elementary school when I would sit around drawing constantly.

What effect are you trying to have on people through your art?

If my art has any effect on people then at the very least I would hope that it just makes them think, or makes them feel something on some level. Most of my work focuses on things that people may otherwise overlook or deem as unsightly. I find beauty in the unconventional places and often find myself drawn towards old structures that have a real sense of history about them.

What drew you to your particular medium?

I got started with photography just out of a need to created something a little different. Before I picked up the camera I was painting a lot but found myself often times unable to convey my thoughts in a real tangible way. When I picked up the camera it felt much more natural and I feel that I'm able to better bring across my ideas that way.

Who were your mentors/inspiring artists as you began to discover your art?

I think every piece of art, and every person that I have interacted with on a real level has influenced me in some way. Life is like that. Our experiences shape us and make us the people we are. My friend Moye, who is a photographer in Charlotte, was a big influence when I was just finding my niche in this art form. She just exudes a very positive and creative vibe and her talent is just unreal.

What was your first piece of art you created and what inspired it?

To be honest I can't even really remember what my first piece of art was. I have done so much that it's hard to keep track of that. I'm sure it was a drawing that I did, just trying to get thoughts or images from my mind out into the world.

What are some of your favorite projects?

I really like shooting fine are photos and getting out there and finding new locations that entice my eyes. I also enjoy working with models because that brings a whole new set of challenges and possibilities into the mix. If you and the person you are working with are on the same page then you can really create some powerful images.

What are you working on right now?

Right now I'm just creating, enjoying, and learning. I try to get out and shoot as much as I can. I feel like being creative helps bring some sort of balance to my life. I am also going to be exhibiting some work at the McColl Center for Visual Art in Charlotte starting in July and I'm working on getting some pieces together for that.

Spencer Huffman's donation to Aroma of Art can be viewed and bid on now through March 4th at Taste Full Beans Coffee House in Hickory, NC.

Tastefull Beans Art Reception December 10

This Thursday, December 10, from 6:00 to 8:30 PM, Tastefull Beans Coffee House in downtown Hickory will join the Hickory Holiday festivities with an art reception for the new art being displayed over the holidays.  The painting to the right is by Alex Reeves of Reevo Studio.

Come out and see the wonderful new paintings by JW and Sandi Baker of Wolf Song Studio, silver woven and beaded jewelry by WovenStones, original oils by Alex Reeves of Reevo Studio and the other fine artists exhibiting this December.  Wine and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served along with wonderful conversations with the artists.  

Many of the artists on display this holiday season will be donating pieces for Aroma of Art 2010 so come and get a preview of what will be up for auction this February.

Hope we see you all there!

Aroma of Art Finale - Join us at Taste Full Beans for the Auction!

The Aroma of Art silent art auction comes to an end on Saturday night, February 28 beginning at 5:00 PM. Proceeds benefit three nonprofit groups, ALFA, Humane Society of Catawba County, and the Women's Resource Center. Taste Full Beans in downtown Hickory is hosting Aroma of Art, and the public is welcome to come and bid on the beautiful fine artwork, pottery, jewelry, photographs and woven pieces. All you need to do is to come into Taste Full Beans and get a bid number. The photographs shown here, titled "Trees", "Cheers!" and "Straws", are by Cindy and Sam Tallman and are part of the Aroma of Art auction.

Each of the three groups receiving funds from AOA support a variety of needs in Western North Carolina that directly benefit the people in our community. You can show your support for all non-profits by attending the AOA finale and taking home some beautiful artwork.

Lisa Miller, Executive Director of the Women's Resource Center says, "Proceeds from AOA will directly support local women going through difficult transitions - including unemployment, divorce, illness, and mental health issues. In 2008, WRC staff and trained volunteers responded one-on-one to 716 requests for help. These requests came from Catawba, Burke, Caldwell, and Alexander counties. Community donations can help an unemployed woman receive professional clothing, laundry detergent to wash clothes, and a $10 gas card to help her get to her interview and back home."

Executive Director of ALFA, Jennifer A. Hart, tells us, "Funds raised from Aroma of Art will be used to support the ongoing mission of ALFA, specifically to provide life-saving services to people living with HIV/AIDS, and to provide free and confidential HIV counseling and testing services to an eight county service area. Funds can provide co-pays for expensive medications and treatments or support ALFA's food and hygiene pantry. Funds will also be utilized to purchase UniGold HIV antibody tests. With just a prick of the finger, results can be read in just ten minutes. We thank Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse for recognizing the critical need for HIV/AIDS awareness and compassionate support in our community!"

"With the funds raised through Aroma of Art, Humane Society of Catawba County will be able to rescue 15 or more homeless animals. We will be able to spay/neuter, perform a complete medical exam with tests, give vaccinations, provide shelter and feed and groom these animals while we work towards finding them a Forever Home," says Jane Earnest, Executive Director of HSCC.

The finale begins at 5:00 PM with hors d'oeuvres, wine and coffee provided. Bidding ends at 6:30 PM with check-out following immediately.

If you don't already have a bid number, there's still time to get one at Taste Full Beans. Taste Full Beans is located in downtown Hickory at 29 2nd Street, NW, Hickory, NC 28601. Form more information, call 828-325-0108.

Cry of the Wolf

This is another fine offering from our friends at Wolf Song Studio. This painting by Sandi Baker is titled "Nala" . I am a big fan of both Sandi and JW Baker's work and have one of Sandi's paintings hanging in my home.

Their talents combine with paint and canvas to create images of nature that are truly extraordinary. This image of Nala looks like she will step right out of the painting!

Treat yourself to a visit to Tastefull Beans for good food and drink, and the experience of seeing the Baker's work along with all of the other wonderful artists on display.

Remember, everything is being auctioned off for charity and the bidding will end at the finale on Saturday, February 28th at 6:30 PM. The evening starts at 5:00 PM and will feature finger food, wine and other beverages and lots of good conversation. Hope to see all of you there!

The Bright Glow of Silver

Here are two more beautiful offerings from one of our artists....Earrings and Necklace of Opalite by Jessi Eurich. See her link under AOA Artists Online. You can see these and other wonderful auction items at Tastefull Beans in Hickory.

Jewelry and more Jewelry!

We have so much wonderful jewelry up for auction this year! Its a great time to come in to Tastefull Beans to see the enormous talent in the local and outlying areas of Hickory. We have had local artists donate items, and we have also had several artists from the Asheville, Hendersonville and Charlotte areas offer their work for the auction.

For the jewelry lover and wearer in your life, this is a great time to come and bid on a wide variety of styles. All one of a kind, all hand made by North Carolina jewelers. Stop by the blog everyday for more featured artists donations.

The pieces in the photos here are by PJ Yang.