Jewelry, painting, pottery, and much more can be discovered at the Artsplosure Art Market

On May 15 & 16, Artsplosure will present the 31st edition of its namesake spring arts festival in and around Moore Square in downtown Raleigh. The premier arts festival in central North Carolina, the free event attracts up to 80,000 people over the course of the weekend.

The Art Market showcases the talent of over 170 juried visual artists and crafters from across the country. Artwork by fine artists and craftsmen exhibiting in 10 different categories will be available for purchase, including painting, photography, pottery, jewelry, and more. As always, the booths will line Blount, Martin, and Hargett Streets near Moore Square and City Market.

The festival will feature more than a dozen musical performances on two stages in Moore Square. This year’s lineup includes headliner Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Blues legend Charlie Musselwhite, rising vocalist Sharon Little, Latin/funk/jazz band The Iguanas, Blues guitarist Tinsley Ellis, Charleston-based The Explorers Club, jazz artist Sachal Vasandani, local favorite Mel Melton & The Wicked Mojos, and more!

Kidsplosure provides activities and entertainment for children. Kids will discover their inner artists by creating make-and-take offerings at the event. In addition to the many arts and crafts available, the Kidsplosure Stage will provide live family-friendly entertainment throughout the weekend

The Student Art Exhibition features a juried selection of artwork by students from Wake County High Schools and Middle Schools. This aspect of the weekend is an exciting glance into the artistic talent of local students. The exhibition is open to the public and will be held inside the Zanzibar Room at Marbles Kids Museum.

Everyone is sure to enjoy the annual favorites: Sandy Feat, a large sand sculpture created by Ed Moore, life-size chess, and other interactive activities.

New this year, Artsplosure expands to Raleigh’s new City Plaza with the world debut presentation of “Mirazozo” by England’s acclaimed Architects of Air. The 6,000 square foot luminarium will be open on Fayetteville Street’s City Plaza May 13 through 16. Luminarium admission is $5; all other festival activities are free of charge.

Artsplosure is held rain or shine. For more information on this year’s festival, visit www.artsplosure.org.

This stunning heart brooch by jewelry designer Lee Spivey is a perfect gift for Valentine’s Day. Meet Spivey and see her work at the Museum Shop, located at the N.C. Museum of History, on Friday, Feb. 5, from 2 to 8 p.m.

When North Carolina artisan Lee Spivey crafts sterling-silver jewelry, she often adds touches of gold and unusual gemstones. Free-flowing lines and organic forms are a constant among her one-of-a-kind designs.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Spivey will be a special guest at the Museum Shop, located at the N.C. Museum of History, on Friday, Feb. 5, from 2 to 8 p.m. She incorporates heart designs into much of her jewelry, so come find that perfect gift for someone or treat yourself. Meet this popular jewelry designer from Wilmington, and see her creations that range from $20 to $200. Enjoy refreshments in the afternoon, or stop by for wine and cheese during Raleigh’s First Friday event that evening.

Spivey’s jewelry is extremely versatile. Her necklaces, bracelets, earrings and brooches look stunning with blue jeans and boots or with stilettos and a little black dress.

“I make jewelry because it’s a way to express myself creatively, share my work, and help women feel even more beautiful,” says the designer and artist.

Spivey declares that she fell in love with metalsmithing while earning her bachelor of fine arts degree at East Carolina University. She has been featured in The Lapidary Journal.

For more information about the Museum of History, call 919-807-7900 or access ncmuseumofhistory.org or Facebook. The museum is located at 5 E. Edenton St., across from the State Capitol.

The N.C. Museum of History’s hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

The museum is part of the Division of State History Museums, Office of Archives and History, an agency of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. The department’s Web site is www.ncculture.com.

Ornaments by Lisa Oakley

The Show provides the public the opportunity to see and purchase a diverse selection of jury-selected, one-of-a-kind fine crafts. Fine crafts displayed at this year’s Show will include pottery, clay, sculpture, wearable fiber, blown glass, jewelry, metal work, wood work, furniture, photography, printmaking and mixed media. There will be something for every taste and budget at the 40th Annual Show

Michele Alexander

Exposition Center
North Carolina State Fairgrounds
1025 Blue Ridge Road
Raleigh, North Carolina

Friday, Nov. 27, 6pm-9pm
Saturday, Nov. 28, 10am-6pm
Sunday, Nov. 29, 11am-5pm

$7 Daily Admission
Children under 12 Free

Tickets may be purchased at the door.

http://www.carolinadesignercraftsmen.com/
http://www.facebook.com/carolinadesignercraftsmen

“Sounding Trumpets, Pealing Bells” by Chris Graebne

“Heart Pendant” by Mirinda Kossoff

Friday, November 27th from 6-9pm, the public is invited to the opening reception for “An Art-filled Season” new work by the gallery’s member artists.

The show will run through the end of the year. The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts is located at 121 N. Churton Street, Hillsborough.

Regular hours are 11-6 Monday through Saturday and 1-4 Sunday.

Phone 919-732-5001, www.hillsboroughgallery.com

About Hillsborough Gallery of Arts

A commercial gallery owned and operated by artists. Hillsborough Gallery represents established artists accomplished in their fields exhibiting modern and contemporary art.

Artworks include painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, fiber, jewelry, glass, metal and wood.

The Wake Forest Area Artists’ Studio Tour invites the public into the homes and working studios of thirty professional artists on September 12-13 and September 19-20, 2009. All studios are located within an approximate 7-mile radius of downtown Wake Forest and will be open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturdays and from 1-5 p.m. on Sundays. This is a great opportunity to get an early start to creative, unique holiday shopping, see the artists in their working environment and learn how a passion for the arts can become a lifetime career.

Our central location, the Powers-Ludas House (112 N. Ave in Wake Forest) will be open as part of Wake Forest’s Art After Hours on Friday, September 11,  6 – 9 p.m. The public is invited to come view samples of each artists’ work and plan their routes for the weekend.

The Wake Forest Area Artists’ Studio Tour began in 1995 and has grown every year since.

For a complete list of artists, bios, maps and more, visit www.ArtistsStudioTour.com.

The Raleigh International Festival is celebrating its 24th anniversary.

Started in 1986, the festival  has become a key component of the Triangle’s cultural and artistic offerings with over fifty participating ethnic groups.

Activities and exhibits include the main stage with continuous entertainment from local and international dance groups, food booths with culinary offerings from around the world, cultural booths where visitors can learn about different cultures and their traditions, a world market, games from around the world, the town square, and ethnic dance lessons and cultural demonstrations.

The Festival also hosts naturalization ceremonies for new Americans taking citizenship. At the 2008 Festival almost 1,000 new Americans were naturalized.

Join us for an entertaining, informative and delicious event at the 24th anniversary of international celebration in Raleigh!

Dates & Times:

Friday, October 2, 2009: 12pm to 10pm

Saturday, October 3, 2009: 10am to 10pm

Sunday, October 4, 2009: 12pm to 6pm

Location:

Raleigh Convention Center

500 S. Salisbury Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

http://www.raleighconvention.com/index.php/homepage/parking-directions

More information:

www.internationalfestival.org

(919) 832-4331

Linda Carmel, WaterWorld

On Friday, September 25th from 6-9pm, the public is invited to the opening reception for “Empirical Wanderings” paintings Linda Carmel, jewelry by Mirinda Kossoff, blown glass by Pringle Teetor. The show will run through October 24th.

Pringle Teetor, Tuscany Sunset

Mirinda Kossoff, Large Pendant

Ongoing – Featuring fine arts and crafts by the gallery’s member artists – including paintings, sculpture, photography, pottery, metal work, turned wood, fused glass, blown glass, fiber arts and jewelry. The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts is located at 121 N. Churton Street, Hillsborough.

Regular hours are 11-6 Monday through Friday, 10-5 Saturday and 1-4 Sunday.

Phone 919-732-5001, www.hillsboroughgallery.com

Damask blue paper leaf crown

Goldbug Studio (www.goldbugstudio.com) announces today its debut open house and retail show.  Vintage inspired follies for the home and any occasion are handcrafted in Raleigh, North Carolina and sold exclusively wholesale through fine retailers—until now.  For three days only, May 29 through 31, Goldbug Studio is making its entire collection available for the public to view, enjoy and purchase.  The Spring FOLLY Event will be held at the Raleigh studio located at 518 Pershing Road in the Five Points area.

Jo Packham, author of “Where Women Create” (www.wherewomencreate.com) will make a guest appearance signing copies of her book at the preview grand opening gala on Friday, May 29 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The retail sale is Saturday and Sunday, May 30 and 31 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Hosting a gala and our first ever open house is the perfect way to share our follies and a little bit of our vibe with the Triangle community,” says Ashley Carter, artist, founder and collection designer of Goldbug Studio.  “I’ve wanted to open the studio for events for couple of years. Clients and friends tell us our pieces are joyful, childlike and a bit glamorous. We absolutely love what we do.”

Crystal lace snowflakes

Carter and her artist team use vintage materials and found objects to create a limited edition and one-of-a-kind collections. Creations include fairy-tale inspired figures, decadent crowns and party hats, custom bridal and baby products, and vintage style party and holiday embellishments.

The Spring FOLLY Event will showcase the Goldbug Studio collection, as well as an eclectic mix of other unique products: vintage toys and curiosities, German glass glitter, vintage French ribbon, antique Santos, millinery flowers, artisan jewelry, and collections from other nationally recognized artists.

Each day a lucky attendee will be selected to win a custom piece from the collection. To learn more and see some of these unique creations, visit www.goldbugstudio.com.

Crown of Cards

About GoldBug Studio:
Goldbug Studio was founded by Ashley Carter in July of 2001. The Goldbug collection includes one-of-a-kinds, limited editions, bridal collections, crowns, party hats, glass glitter birds, butterflies and other embellishments.  The collection is sold exclusively through high end retailers including Bergdof Goodman, Anthropologie, John Derian Company as well as through hundreds of boutiques around the world. Goldbug Studio follies have been featured in some of the nation’s most popular magazines including: Modern Bride, Bride’s, Martha Stewart, Elegant Bride, Town and Country, Country Living, Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Living, Romantic Homes and Where Women Create.

Visit www.goldbugstudio.com or call (919) 834-1523.