EXHIBIT OPENS AT GREEN RICE GALLERY

Artist, Eric Hurtgen - New Works

Artist, Shelly Hehenberger

Green Rice Gallery in Charlotte, NC invites you to join us for Eric Hurtgen's New Works, also featuring works by Shelly Hehenberger . Opening reception on May 2nd from 7-9 p.m with DJ music

Exhibit work will be on display May 2nd-31st. 

Eric Hurtgen: Artist Statement

Influenced by the visual work of Mark Rothko, the music of My Bloody Valentine and the poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins, Hurtgen slowly begabn to construct his own visual language.  Although mostly self-taught, recently Hurtgen has been studying with European artists, Andrei and Amanda Prychodko, studying the sketches of the early masters in order to capture some of the foundational aspects of line and form.  Hurtgen's latest work is rumination on remembered childhood dreams and the role faith played in his earliest memories.

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Shelly Hehenberger: Artist Statement

Hehenberger has worked as a painter and community art teacher since graduating from Indiana University in 1990 with a BA in Fine Arts.  She then recieved a Master of Fine Arts degreee in painting from the University of Cincinnati in 1994.

"Chaos into cosmos is the general title of my work as I focus on the mysterious proces and act of painting, as it relates to the processes and patterns of life existing in the nature that is within us and that surrounds us.  I begin with seemingly chaotic layers of paint and other mediums, but as I work the surface, forms emerge and a cosmos of connections is revealed...They are the suns and moons of life along mountainous crossings, and it is creation showing me the forms that make sense: branchings and rivers on the earth and inside our bodies, DNA strands of hope intertwining into levels of the universal connectedness we all yearn for."

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Past Exhibits

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EXHIBIT OPENS AT GREEN RICE GALLERY

Artist, Matthew Gregson Shows His Surrealist Work

Green Rice Gallery in Charlotte, NC invites you to join us for Transposed Realities, an exhibit by Matthew Gregson.  With the opening reception on March 7th from 7-9 p.m., his Salvador Dali inspired work will be on display March 7th-29th. 

Matthew Gregson, currently living in Southport, NC, has been painting surrealist works of art since he purchased his first set of acrylic paints in 1997 and, using only his intuition and a paintbrush, taught himself how to create thoughtful and awe inspiring works of art.  Gregson’s creations are vibrant labyrinths of visual pathways which capture the mind’s eye and excite the imagination.  Gregson explains that his paintings reflect “a new way to view the constant geological change and evolution of our natural world”.  This show marks the artist’s first time exhibiting and he will be on-hand during the reception to meet with guests and discuss his most recent works. 

“SCENES” EXHIBIT OPENS AT GREEN RICE GALLERY

Artist, Michele Norris Shows Her Recent Work

(October 10, 2007) An exhibition of works by Virginia artist Michele Norris,

opens November 2 at Green Rice Gallery. The exhibit runs from

November 2 – December 1, 2007.

The exhibition, entitled “Scenes”, displays Norris’s recent works depicting landscapes, inspired by her travels through Ireland and northern Virginia, her immediate surroundings, and her imagination.  Norris explains that her works evolve organically as she plays with light, texture, shape, and color.  The scenes she paints are based in reality but meld together with a mood, resulting in an original point of view.  Norris says that color plays a fundamental role in her works and she uses many bold and contrasting hues.  But it is evident that texture is of equal importance to Norris.  The marks of her pallet knife, drips of paint, and the form of her brush strokes are laid before the viewer as evidence of her labor and process.  Although she typically paints in acrylic, her new works on display at Green Rice Gallery in November experiment with oil. 

Norris was born and raised in rural New Hampshire and has a BA in Fine Arts from the University of New Hampshire.  For the past six years she has been painting commissioned work for private clients and participating in exhibitions.  Her work is currently displayed with various collectors in Arizona, California, North Carolina, and New Hampshire.  She currently resides in northern Virginia with her husband and two children.  This is the second exhibition at Green Rice Gallery for Norris and she hopes her collectors in the area will come out to see her new works.

“STREETS OF CHARLOTTE” EXHIBIT OPENS AT GREEN RICE GALLERY

Artists, David French, Wendy Arundel, and Cher Cosper

(August 10, 2007) An exhibition all about Charlotte’s people and places by local artists David French, Wendy Arundel, and Cher Cosper opens October 5 at Green Rice Gallery with an artists’ reception from 7-9 p.m. All three artists will be on-hand during the reception to meet with guests and discuss their work.

The exhibit runs from October 5 – 27, 2007.

David French, an oil painter on wood and canvas brings to life images that he believes are among the most popular and recognizable places in Charlotte.  Most of the locations he paints, such as Anderson’s, Athens, and the Coffee Cup, evoke nostalgia and show a part of Charlotte’s history some of which is quickly disappearing from our present.  French describes his style as modern realism and says he is inspired by the works of Edward Hopper and Van Gogh and by his painting mentor, Starr Davis a Charlotte artist and resident. 

Also showing is Charlotte artist, Wendy Arundel. Using acrylic paints on canvas Arundel depicts some of her favorite scenes and establishments in Charlotte.  Arundel’s works are light hearted with a sense of humor while attempting to show a slightly skewed viewpoint on reality.  First inspired by the growing Charlotte skyline, she began painting on her own and has continued since then as a self-taught artist.

The final artist is Cher Cosper, veteran artist. Cosper paints in an impressionistic and bold style often using wild colors, which she intends to represent the energy she feels from a particular subject or scene.  Inspired by Vuillard, Monet, Renoir, and Ben Long she depicts her own enthusiasm for a particular scene.  She often looks at a familiar place and paints as if it were transported to France or Italy creating a romanticized impression of an everyday location.  

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“JUST BENEATH THE SURFACE” OPENS

AT GREEN RICE GALLERY

Artists Jessie Lynn Courson and Kendra Baird Exhibit Works

An exhibition of works by artists Jessie Lynn Courson and Kendra Baird, opens September 6, 2007 at Green Rice Gallery with an artist’s reception on September 21st from 7-9 p.m. Courson and Baird will be on-hand during the reception to meet with guests and talk about their works. The exhibit runs from September 1 – 29, 2007.

Courson’s works on display are watercolor and ink on paper.  This medium is a change from the acrylics on canvas she has typically used in the past. Although she initially feared the unforgiving nature of watercolor paints, Courson soon developed a love of the medium finding a freedom as well an immediacy in her new works. In many of Courson’s works the watercolors bleed over the “edge” she creates with ink into the pure white giving her paintings a slightly surreal quality.  She considers her work inspirational and optimistic and hopes to reveal something divine through her art.  Courson explains, “I don't want to preach to viewers, but have them feel God instinctually when they see the work.  It's a lofty idea, but it's what motivates me”.  Courson paints from memory and imagination seeking to express beyond what we see everyday on the surface. Inspired by artists Pablo Picasso and Andrew Wyeth, her recent works have a subtle and modern feel. 

Joining Courson’s work at Green Rice Gallery in September are the paintings of Kendra Baird.  Her works are acrylic on canvas and collage.  Bairds works on display focus on the show’s theme of “Just Beneath the Surface” as she reveals a subject and emphasizes texture and color.  Her style is design oriented with a minimal amount of subject matter in each work.  She often uses bold pigments and creates a wonderful color study that produces a wash of similar tones around a single object appearing as a glowing cloud or dream like sky.  In fact she is inspired by the dreamy and surrealistic style of Charlotte artist, Duy Huynh.  “Creating work that has meaning and beauty has always been important to me”, Baird explains. “I like to give each of my pieces of art a unique, incisive personality that will add to the style of someone’s home or business”.

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Voices of Sudan

David Johnson

Silentimages.org

Green Rice Gallery is proud to display a collection of photographs by Charlotte resident David Johnson from August 3 - 12, allowing viewers to glimpse into the tragic world of present day Sudan. Johnson, who will be at Green Rice Gallery on August 3rd from 7:00 - 9:00 to sign copies of his book and talk about his experience in Sudan, has photographed and documented some of the most tragic places in the world including slum areas of Brazil and Kenya, the killing fields of Cambodia, and tsunami relief in Thailand. He witnessed first-hand and now shares with the world through his photographs a humanitarian crisis of unseen proportions, where most Sudanese refugees are barely surviving with little food and water, without proper shelter or medial care, and in constant fear of the Janjaweed who aim to cleanse Sudan of non-true Arab Muslims. Johnson hopes the images will encourage others to speak out, reach out, and help the Sudanese. Johnson was inspired to action by the the crisis he witnessed and created a book entitled Voices of Sudan featuring photographs from his trip. Proceeds from the sale of the book, available now at Green Rice Gallery, are donated to relief efforts in Sudan providing much needed food, water, medicine, and sports equipment.

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EXHIBIT OPENS AT GREEN RICE GALLERY

Artist, Daniel Allegrucci Shows New Wood Cuts

(June 19, 2007) An exhibition of works by Charlotte artist Daniel Allegrucci, opens July 6 at Green Rice Gallery with an artist’s reception on July 20 from 7-9 p.m. Allegrucci will be on-hand during the reception to meet with guests and talk about his works, discussing his techniques and his exploration of masculine stereotypes through his artwork. The exhibit runs from July 6 – 29, 2007.

The exhibition displays Allegrucci’s recent works, which are created using a woodcut printmaking technique.  He explains, “The gouge creates a physical, unforgiving line that is well suited for an honest, sometimes harsh, examination of a subject”.  In this exhibit he uses the technique to explore masculine stereotypes.  Allegrucci’s subjects include fathers, fighters, and working men.  The works on display present fragmented narratives that blend some specific details with ambiguities.  Allegrucci notes that each image acts as an incomplete framework for the viewer to attach his or her own experiences and interpretations.

Daniel Allegrucci earned his BFA in printmaking in 1998 from UNC-Charlotte and
continued his studies at Wichita State University. In addition to being a fine art
printmaker, he has worked professionally as a flexographic press operator, pre-press
technician and web designer. He currently lives and works in Charlotte, NC.

Green Rice Designs is located at 451 East 36th Street, Charlotte, NC 28205. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday 12-7 p.m. The gallery, which opened in 2003, includes 2,500 square feet of space available for fundraisers, meetings or special events. The business also includes artist’s studios and a show floor that displays artwork for sale, including Green Rice Design’s own Milkweed line of clothing and home décor items. Visit them online at www.green-rice.com.

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EXHIBIT OPENS AT GREEN RICE GALLERY

Artist, Nancy Prator Shows Her Recent Work

An exhibition of works by New York artist and former Charlotte, NC resident Nancy Prator, opens June 1 at Green Rice Gallery with an artist’s reception from 7-9 p.m. Prator will be on-hand during the reception to meet with guests and talk about her works, discussing how her style has evolved since her last show at Green Rice Gallery in 2003. The exhibit runs from June 1 – 30, 2007.

The exhibition displays Prator’s recent works, which are a departure from the portraits she is known for in Charlotte.  The works on display, prints done using a variety of techniques and paintings in watercolor, depict insects, animals, and architectural structures.  Prator explains, “It's work that I did for myself rather than for someone else so it's all more personal.”  Included in the exhibit is a watercolor triptych illustrating the artist’s vision of a line from the song “Jubilee” by local singer and songwriter Benji Hughes.

Prator describes her style as realistic with experimental elements and sees her art constantly changing and evolving as she tries out different methods and mediums.  Since moving to New York in 2006 to pursue her MFA, Prator has developed an intense focus and desire to progress as an artist.  “My ideas and processes have been gaining momentum everyday and now I just feel like I’m bursting with ideas and concepts and there just isn’t enough time in the day to do it all.” 

Raised in Atlanta, GA, Prator has a BFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts, New York, NY and is currently working toward an MFA in Drawing & Painting from The New York Academy of Art.  She lived in Charlotte, NC from 2001 to 2006 and this is her second show at Green Rice Gallery.

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“NOTES ON THE HORIZON” OPENS AT GREEN RICE GALLERY

Charlotte Artist, Kate Vasseur Exhibits Her Captivating Landscape Series

April 11, 2007 “Notes on the Horizon,” an exhibition of works by Charlotte artist Kate Vasseur, opens May 4 at Green Rice Gallery with an artist’s reception from 7-9 p.m. Vasseur will be on-hand during the reception to meet with guests and talk about her works, describing her own unique perspective on life that she communicates through various forms of art. The show runs May 4 – 26, 2007.

“Notes on the Horizon” displays Vasseur’s recent series of captivating landscape paintings created in acrylic on wood panels.  Each piece draws you into a landscape, which she portrays with limited details leaving room for each person to interpret the place depicted in their own way. A wash of colors and a subtle blending of tones help give each painting depth and texture as well as a haunting quality. “My inspiration comes from places I’ve been, but I want the paintings to encourage people to use their imagination to identify with them.”

As an artist Vasseur works in a variety of mediums and a sampling of her other endeavors will be on display as well. These projects include handmade purses, handcrafted jewelry, and handmade greeting cards. “My inspiration comes from everyday life, and I incorporate ordinary objects and timeless artifacts into my pieces.”

As a child in Florida, Vasseur was encouraged by her parents to create daily art projects and spent many Saturdays touring through flea markets.  After receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Elon University she spent some time in California teaching art. In 1999 Vasseur moved to Charlotte, where she now dedicates her career to her many different artistic endeavors.

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Free, Public Art Gala to Reveal Synergy at Green Rice Gallery

Courtemanche & Associates will be hosting an Art Gala, free and open to the public, to present
Synergy, an art commission featuring seven works, at Green Rice Gallery on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Synergy was created by Kerrie Bellisario, an artist and a professor of art, working and teaching in
the metropolitan area of Boston. Courtemanche & Associates (C&A), a healthcare regulatory
corporation headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., commissioned this collection of work which
represents the artist’s continued interest in exploring the stories of our time —in this case,
healthcare.

The Art Gala on May 23 will feature Synergy, and will include an opportunity for the public to
meet the artist, Kerrie Bellisario, learn more about the development process, and enjoy
complimentary wine with hors d'oeuvres.

Each employee at C&A has a story to tell about why they went into healthcare as a career choice.
Each of these people is compelled to make healthcare better and more accessible for all people.
Their ideals and distinctive efforts are infused in the work, Synergy.

C&A is a model for how humanistic values can coexist in a corporate context, and for how social
change remains a viable goal for the healthcare industry.

Anyone interested in attending the Art Gala hosted by Courtemanche & Associates may contact
Laura Rabell at (704) 573-4535 or laura@courtemanche-assocs.com, or visit
www.courtemanche-assocs.com.

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"Spring Harvest" Opens at Green Rice Gallery
Louisiana artist Amy Cespedes Glisan makes her Charlotte debut

Louisiana artist and New Orleans native Amy Cespedes Glisan. The show opens April 6 and runs through April 28, 2007. A reception with the artist will be held April 20 from 7-9 p.m.

Gilsan’s work consists of stylized paintings of fruit and flowers on clayboard. Using a unique technique she brings depth and texture to her work. Gilsan begins a piece by etching a drawing into clayboard. She then varnishes it, paints it, and varnishes it again. The finished painting exudes both a modern style and the depth and patina of an antique work.

Gilsan paintings are sometimes drawn from life or memories, but most are drawn from her imagination and made distinctive by her own whimsical interpretation. “I’m inspired by the shapes and colors of fruits and flowers, and then I use my own technique to give them a stylized look,” Glisan says. Geometric shapes form a basis for much of Glisan’s work. She is inspired by patterns in oriental carpets and textiles and by modern artists Paul Klee and Joan Miro.

A native of New Orleans, Glisan studied at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La. Today she and her husband live in Pineville, La., and she works on painting while also raising two small children.

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“Conversations” Opens at Green Rice Gallery
Work of Local Artist Jack Swinney on Display in NoDa District

February 16, 2007. Green Rice Gallery presents “Conversations,” an exhibit by local artist Jack Swinney opening February 16 with an artist’s reception from 7-9:30 p.m. The exhibit runs February 16 - March 24.

“Conversations” will include many of Swinney’s oil paintings on both wood and canvas, each portraying a depth of emotion through familiar characters brought to life with rich colors and masterful strokes

“The works that make up the ‘Conversations’ show center around people,” Swinney says. “Whether talking together, going about their business in a group or alone, these works are the result of my interpretation of people in crowds.” For example, “Pike’s Piper” captures the observant nature of a street musician Swinney encountered at Pike’s Market in Seattle. And “Penguin Grill V” is just one of a series of paintings that portrays the beauty of the everyday crowd at this legendary Charlotte eatery. Swinney’s paintings also feature unique looks into the life of locations including River Street, Savannah, GA and the Ritz Carlton, Philadephia, PA.

Though Swinney spent most of his working career running an industrial machine shop, he has had a lifelong love of painting that he has spent many years developing. While he dabbled in art off and on most of his life, in 2000 he began seriously studying with masters across the nation. He has worked with Andy Braitman, Elizabeth Ross and Tony Griffin of Charlotte, as well as attending Cedric and Joanette’s figure and portraiture workshop in Annapolis, MD, and Nelson Shank’s Incaminati workshop in Philadelphia, PA, among others. Swinney’s painting serves as an outlet to express his vision and communicate the wonder he sees all around him locally and through his travels.