New Date for Bidding Kick-Off Reception!

Please join us on Tuesday, February 18th from 5:30 to 8pm for the Kick-Off reception for Aroma of Art 2014!

Wine, coffee and hors d'oeuvres will be served.   

Even though the Kick-Off had to be postponed due to snow on February 13th, bidding has started.  We hope many of you will go ahead and get your bid number at Taste Full Beans downtown and begin bidding on the art up for auction.

Hope to see you Tuesday!

** CANCELLATION DUE TO SNOW **

Hey everyone, due to the snowfall amounts predicted today and Thursday, we have decided to cancel the Kick-Off Reception tomorrow night, the 13th.

We hope to reschedule it and will announce that date soon - it will likely be early next week.

Bid numbers will be available on Friday morning, February 14th, at Taste Full Beans downtown so that those of you would like to start bidding on the artwork, you can.

On behalf of the 2014 benefiting agencies, The Council on Adolescents of Catawba County, Women's Resource Center, The Hickory Soup Kitchen, and the Aroma of Art Committee, I want to thank all of the wonderful artists that came out on Thursday the 23rd of January  to bring their wonderful artwork donations to Taste Full Beans Coffee House for the 2014 Aroma of Art starting next week!

We have some artists donating for the first time as well as many returning favorites.   Make sure to come out on Thursday, February 13, starting at 5:30 to get your bid numbers and see all of the amazing paintings, pottery pieces, jewelry, photography and sculpture available for bidding until  February 27th.

There will be complimentary light hors d'ouevres provided by our wonderful chef Austin Pearce, wine and coffee for your enjoyment as you take in the lovely art and decide on your favorites for bidding.

Call Taste Full Beans Coffee House downtown at 828-855-7688 for more information.

Aroma of Art 2014 is here!

There is still time to donate or sponsor Aroma Of Art 2014....We will still be taking art donations until February 13, 2014 but if you want to be in the posters and all the advertisement  you should drop off your piece of art by February 8th. We will be at Taste Full Beans arranging all the wonderful donations from 10a.m. until... :)

Save the date!  Thursday, January 23th, 2013, 5:30 - 7:00 PM!

Aroma of Art 2014 starts this Thursday with the
Art Drop Off Artist Appreciation Reception!

If you are an artist who is donating to the 2014 auction, please join us for wine, hors d'oeuvres, dessert and coffee this Thursday at Taste Full Beans Coffee House in downtown Hickory, NC. 

It will be a wonderful evening of fellowship with artists, good food and drink.

Call 828-855-7688 for more information  - hope to see you there!

Taste Full Beans Coffee House Downtown
is located at 29 2nd street, NW, Hickory, NC

Art Speaks Our Language Fluently

Preparing to celebrate 10 years of grassroots philanthropy, Aroma of Art (AOA) 2012 is a unique event inviting both artists and the community to support Hickory area nonprofits.

Through the expression of their talent and creativity, artists speak fluently using a universal language-the elements of art: line, shape, form, color, texture, space and the values of light and dark.

During the month-long silent auction being held at its new location at 2220 US 70 SE Hickory, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the exhibit and place their bids.

The generous donation of original works of art coupled with the support of auction attendees makes AOA one of the most exciting and innovative annual nonprofit fundraisers in the Hickory area.Staff and residents of Flynn Home of Hickory want to take this opportunity to thank the AOA 2012 committee for being selected along with Women's Resource Center and ALFA to benefit from the 2012 auction. We encourage you to learn more about these agencies and the vital roles they play in your community.

2012 Aroma of Art committee members: Kate Tinnan; Anne Fredley and AOA co-founder, Edgar Hernandez, owner of Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse, are currently working with the benefiting agencies to promote event sponsorships and invite area artists to participate in AOA's 10th anniversary celebration.

For more information about Aroma of Art 2012 call: 828/325-0108

The Modern Metal Jewelry of Molli Koltun

Molli Koltun of Modern Metal Jewelry is one of our artists from Asheville who has donated her work to Aroma of Art for the second year. Her specialty is precious metal clay work with a background in metalsmithing and various bead work techniques.

Here are her responses to our artist interview.

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

I have been creating in one form or another as long as I can remember. My background includes fine at and metal-smith classes. Since the 1990's I have been making jewelry. I was very curious about metal clay for a long time. I love the idea that metal clay is manufactured from a mixture of recycled metal objects (mainly jewelry). I took one class and was instantly hooked!

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

I simply want someone to love and enjoy the piece that they purchase, to know that they have a one of a kind piece.

What drew you to your particular medium?

I was at the point with beading that I wanted to learn something new. I love that metal clay can do things that traditional metal can't and vice versa. I love how a piece can be refined or look organic.

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

I'd have to say that I really admired the work of Kate McKinnon and Hadar Jacobson. They are amazing artists and very generous with their knowledge.

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

My first piece of jewelry that I made was a bracelet. I can see every flaw in it now, but people still respond to it.

What are some of your favorite projects?

I love working on pieces that evolve on their own, like my fragments neck piece. I start with one idea and it just takes a turn in a different direction.

What are you working on right now?

To the right is a picture of the last piece that I finished. I am also working on a pendant where I will donate a percentage to benefit breast cancer.

Molli Koltun has donated a wonderful earring and necklace set to the Aroma of Art auction. Bid numbers are still available at Taste Full Beans Coffee House - stop in and see her one of a kind metal work!

Wolf Song Studio

Sandi Baker is the other half of Wolf Song Studio. Sandi and JW Baker have a long history with the Hickory arts community and their artwork often reflects their love and reverence for nature and spirit. Sandi and JW both serve on the board of the Wolf Sanctum in Bakersville, NC and many of her paintings express her love for the wolves that reside there.

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

I am self-taught, and I work in many mediums. I started airbrushing when I was a teenager. I was interested in vehicle graphics and murals at the time and taught myself to airbrush. I started doing work for friends immediately and by the time I was 19 I opened my own sign business. I always airbrushed and did personal fine art on the side, hoping one day to be able to concentrate solely on fine art.

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

Mostly I hope to communicated on a level beyond words, to move the viewer, to inspire.

What drew you to your particular medium?

The airbrush seemed like it was just meant for me - I just knew it would work for me.

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

Sign painters, usually those featured in trade magazines. I didn't have mentors as such but I always greatly admired the work of other artists. I have found almost every work of art created by other artists to be inspiring in one way or another.

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

I really don't know the first piece, but I used to sit in the pasture and draw horses for hours on end. Horses were my first love and first serious subject.

What are some of your favorite projects?

Of mine? The Spirit Catchers are fun to create, and I enjoy the wide range of reactions from those who view them. I like working with the wood and painting on leather. Each one is a surprise upon completion.

What are you working on right now?

A series of wildlife paintings that incorporate gold leaf. I am leaning towards a more surreal, illusionary style.


My work is available for sale at our website, www.wolfsongstudio.com, and JW and I show our work at Taste Full Beans throughout the year as well as other locations in Hickory and elsewhere. May 15 is the Wolf Creek Rendezvous up in Banner Elk. Wolf Song Studio and other artists will be there from 10:00 to 5:00 with our work for sale.

Sandi has several pieces donated for the Aroma of Art auction. Please come by Taste Full Beans Coffee House to see her wonderful pieces and the other fantastic pieces of art up for auction through Thursday, March4 - still time to make your bid!