Sunset River Gallery announces that Diversity by Studio 8 will open Monday, May 22 and run through Saturday, July 1. A reception to meet the artists is set for Friday, June 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. Studio 8 is a group of artists who paint together weekly at Sunset River Gallery. It includes Judi Moore, Brenda Riggins, Vicki Neilon, Linda Karaskevicus, Donn McCrary, Rachel Sunnell, Barbara Kohn, and Linda Hester.

Studio 8 formed early in 2020, evolving from another painting group at the gallery.

The show is a selection of new works in various styles and media. The pieces range from conceptual to traditional to contemporary. Viewers will see vibrant acrylic landscapes by Sunnell. She also created a conceptual piece for the show, which is titled “Who Do I Reflect?” It features a series of mirrors with faces superimposed on them. Riggins, who is known for her portraiture in watercolor, has also created a number of acrylic coastal scenes.

Judi Moore is working large for this show and will be showing a 36” by 36” hydrangea painting. Barbara Kohn began painting with watercolor, then switched to oil, and now loves the immediacy of soft pastels. Vicki Neilon works in both watercolor and acrylic, and currently enjoys combining abstract with representational, resulting in her distinctive stylized images. Linda Hester also paints in both acrylic and watercolor. She says, “I absolutely love the peace and calm that comes when I am working on a painting. Painting has allowed me to see my environment in a totally new way. It’s a joy to see ideas come to life on paper or canvas.” Linda Karaskevicus has recently found a passion for painting Carolina coastal scenes. She says acrylics allow her to work more quickly, resulting in a spontaneous brush or painting knife application. Her painting style is impressionistic realism.

Individually speaking, the talents of this group are impressive. Collectively, the artists pull from each other’s energy, humor, and love for diverse art styles. Says McCrary, who is known for his use of vibrant colors and simple designs and is the only male in the group, “These girls don’t hold back! Their critiques are direct and helpful.”

A strong supporter of both the Sunset River Gallery and the community, Studio 8 recently stepped up as a major sponsor for the Hearts + Arts fundraiser for Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, which will be held at the gallery on June 2. Tickets are available at the gallery.

About Sunset River Gallery

Located in coastal Brunswick County, Sunset River Gallery caters to both area visitors and a growing local community of full-time residents seeking fine art for their homes and businesses. Featuring work by over 100 fine 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.

A selection of 20th century art features investment-grade fine and modern art, primarily impressionist and abstract. Artists represented include Wolf Kahn, Emile Gruppè, Angel Botello, Raimonds Staprans, Ed Mell, Vladimir Cora, Moses Soyer, Raphael Soyer, Tadashi Asoma, Hunt Slonem, Ida Kohlmeyer, Rolph Scarlett, Jean Xceron, folk artist Mose Tolliver, and sculptors Glenna Goodacre and Milton Hebald.

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. Current class listings are on the gallery website, with frequent updates on the gallery Facebook page.

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 sunsetrivergallery.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 master framer Louis Aliotta directly at 910.368.7351.

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