"Shared Vision – Distinct Voices" Art Show at the Carolina Brewery

By Forrest Greenslade
Posted Wednesday, June 25, 2008

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Pittsboro, NC - Carolina Brewery goers will enjoy three distinct approaches to artistic expression by Chatham Guild Artists at the June/July Show. Landscapes by Rita Baldwin, ceramic expressions by Cherie Westmoreland, and abstract acrylic paintings by Leslie Palmer blend to produce a harmonious vision at the Carolina Brewery and Grill on route 15/501 in Chatham County. There will be a reception on Sunday, July 6 from 4-6 pm. Enjoy free refreshments and meet these three exciting artists.

Rita Baldwin creates landscapes in oil, primarily painted on location “I have found special beauty in rural Chatham County and attempt to capture the mystery and poetic mood of my subject,” Baldwin notes that “Although each painting is planned, I especially enjoy the surprises which often emerge.”

Cherie Westmoreland ‘s sculptural ceramic work is influenced by her grandmother and mother, whose creativity and craftsmanship were expressed in photography, quilting, and all kinds of needlework. With a background in printmaking and drawing she has worked as a book designer since 1986. "My recurrent imagery includes: birds, particularly crows, vines, ferns, and fish -- My work also includes laser print photographic transfers fired onto clay," she explains.

Leslie Palmer is known for her detailed naturalistic drawings, but uses a different voice in this show. “My current acrylic and mixed media paintings express a pureness of thought without form or narrative,” she stresses. “Once released from the restrictions of representational references memories, experiences and emotions flow as fluid as the paint; merging and engaging as it caresses the canvas.”

The Chatham Artists Guild is a non-profit organization of regionally and nationally recognized visual artists. Each year, Guild members open their studios to the public through the Chatham Open Studio Tour. Visitors travel throughout lovely rural Chatham County to meet artists in their own work spaces, and share their ideas on art and the creative process.

The Carolina Brewery is a locally-owned brewery and restaurant, has drawn international attention for its handcrafted beers and traditional bare fare in its Chapel Hill and new Pittsboro locations.