Duffy Brown

Jewelry artisan Duffy Brown creates jewelry using sterling silver, copper and brass. The shapes she fashions are often adorned with objects found in nature including river rocks, colored porcelain shards, weathered shells and oxidized steel, which Brown embellishes with colored pencils. “I feel that my jewelry appeals to people who are, themselves, original,” Brown said. “My inspiration comes from nature.”

Emilie Cohen

Jeweler Emilie Cohen works with gold, silver and semi-precious stones. Her pieces are one-of-a-kind, limited editions and hand-fabricated. Cohen has made jewelry for more than 25 years and still likes to try new ideas. “I use a lot of forming techniques which enable me to go from flat to 3D,” Cohen explained.

John T. Crutchfield, who will exhibit belts, pins and neck collars, uses a multi-dimensional graphics technique. His work makes a statement about how technology mediates the world. Images from several world-famous artists are found in Crutchfield’s works. “In the end each piece gives a unique feeling to its owner,” Crutchfield remarked.

Local artist Mimi Hodgin Hay’s drama, texture and color-rich kimonos and coats will be exhibited, as well as, a wedding brocade ensemble. This ensemble, Birds of Paradise, is made from silk brocade, crepe and double embroidered antique silk and includes a coat, skirt, silk vest and shawl.  “Being a lover of textile scraps, patterns and texture, I enjoy a rich array of fabrics, thus combining cherished bits of old prom dresses, trousseau lingerie, family linens and laces; little scraps with memories all their own,” Hay said.                                                                   

Wendy Holden

Needlepoint artisan Barbara Julius will display purses, belts and chokers with original designs. Using cotton thread, which allows for greater detail, Julius creates colorful beetles and abstract patterns. “Watching the picture emerge slowly is like relishing a great novel,” Julius said.

Constance Muller

Beth Nash

Susan Slavik

Lynn Yarrington

Table Bluff

Artist Ray Kass draws inspiration from nature and creates representational and non-representational works. For the upcoming Art Museum exhibit, he chose works that correspond to water. “Everything will be based in watercolor, water imagery or some effect caused by water,” Kass said. “The variety of media and processes employed in my paintings all correspond to water – either in imagery or effect.”

Kass uses a variety of techniques including polyptych, a format that includes many panels.

According to Kass, this work is completed in fragments and brought together to form a whole. “In working outdoors, I might work on different panels at different times, and the final work is assembled,” Kass said.

Other interesting effects Kass has perfected include using beeswax and traditional Asian techniques of paper and silk mounting in an unconventional way.

Kass has a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Painting from the University of North Carolina. He is Professor Emeritus at the College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia. His work has been displayed in galleries and museums in many metropolitan areas including New York, Washington and Kyoto, Japan.

Tondo Polyptych