Cape Fear Perspective to open Jan. 12; reception Jan. 14

Calabash gallery features Cape Fear Perspective in January 2022

Sunset River Marketplace, the eclectic art gallery in Calabash, NC will showcase works by Wilmington, NC artists Janet B. Sessoms, Sharon Jones, Sandy Nelson and David Starbuck in its upcoming exhibition, Cape Fear Perspective, which opens Wednesday, January 12 and runs through Saturday, February 26. A public reception is set for Friday, January 14 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the gallery.

The exhibition marks the first event of the gallery’s celebratory 20^th year in business. According to gallery owner Ginny Lassiter, “We will be celebrating all year with special exhibits, charity events, artist demonstrations, gallery talks, live music and more. I’m thrilled to open the year with this exhibition of oil paintings by these renowned artists.”

Janet B. Sessoms is known for her lush oil paintings and has had her work featured in many local and regional publications. She has been honored in many shows, including, most recently, the 2021 Yadkin Art Council Show, 2021 Wilmington Art Associates Spring Show, and was accepted into the 2020 Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club’s 1^st Online Associate and Non-Member Show, New York, NY.

Sandy Nelson has been named one of the top 200 artists by Artist Magazine. Her landscapes have been accepted to national juried competitions from Main to California. Nelson’s works are also included in two prestigious art books, Best of America: Oil Artists and 100 Southern Artists.

Often honored for her sensitive portrayals of coastal wildlife and landscapes, Sharon Jones has been featured in local exhibits and publications including the Official Cape Fear Resource Guide 2021.

A transplant from Silicon Valley, CA, David Starbuck is a full-time, award-winning, and published wildlife artist. He has been featured on the cover of Wrightsville Beach magazine and has had his work juried into the NC Wildlife Resources Commission Wildlife Calendar.

About Sunset River Marketplace

Located in coastal Brunswick County, Sunset River Marketplace caters to both tourists and a growing local community of full-time residents seeking fine art for their homes and businesses. Featuring work by approximately 150 North and South Carolina artists, the gallery is well known in the area for its collection of oil paintings, watermedia, pastels, photography, hand-blown glass, fused glass, pottery and clay sculptures, turned and carved wood, unique home décor items and artisan jewelry.

There are two onsite kilns and five wheels used by the gallery’s pottery students. Art classes and workshops are currently being offered on a limited basis. Call the gallery for details.

The gallery address is: 10283 Beach Drive SW, Calabash, NC 28467.  Hours are Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, call 910.575.5999 or visit the website at www.staging.careful-crib.flywheelsites.com. Daily updates are available on the gallery’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

The FrameCenter, located within the gallery, is open Wednesday through Friday, 12 noon – 5 p.m. and by appointment. Call framer Louis Aliotta directly at 910.368.7351.

Special Covid 19 Notice: To meet North Carolina State guidelines, Sunset River Marketplace requests that patrons who are not fully vaccinated wear face coverings and requires the use of hand sanitizer plus six-foot social distancing between gallery visitors and at the cash register.  The gallery staff conducts thorough cleaning of surfaces upon opening and closing and during the day and has placed complimentary hand sanitizer throughout the gallery for visitor use. Depending on alerts from the Governor’s Office, this advisory may change.

 Events at Sunset River Marketplace

20^th Anniversary

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2022

Since opening its doors in 2002, Sunset River Marketplace has evolved into Coastal Carolina’s go-to place for the hottest new contemporary art, exquisite artisan-designed jewelry, innovative pottery and more. Showcasing only artists from the two Carolinas, this eclectic spot boasts an amazing offering of a broad range of fine art and crafts. The welcoming gallery has become a destination for locals and visitors alike. To celebrate its 20 years in business, Sunset River Marketplace is planning a full year of special events.

Exhibition: Cape Fear Perspective

Works by Janet B. Sessoms, Sandy Nelson, Sharon Jones and David Starbuck

Jan. 12 – Feb. 26, 2022

Reception Friday, Jan. 14, 5 – 7 p.m.

Coffee With the Authors

Jan. 13, 2022

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Donna Picerno (Blood Brothers, I Had to Leave)

Jazz Night (third Thursday of each month)

Jan. 20, 2022

5 – 7 p.m.

Exhibition: Waterway Art Association Show

April 25 – 30, 2022

Additional events including a bird program with wildlife photographer Gary Baird, pottery demos, pop-up art demonstrations, batik workshops, and fashion events will be posted shortly. Check for details at the website (www.staging.careful-crib.flywheelsites.com) and the gallery’s Facebook page.

image: Artist Janet B. Sessoms, Sun Breaking Through, oil, 30 x 24

image: Artist Sandy Nelson, By the Light of the Moon, oil, 24×24

image: Artist Sharon Jones, Waiting On the Tide, oil, 36×24

image: Artist David Starbuck, Birds of a Feather, oil, 40×30

Sunset River Gallery