FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 3/19/08
Morgan Arts Council • Berkeley Springs, WV
Press contact only: Mary Hott 304-258-2300

ARTWALK OPENS ART IN ARCHITECTURE SHOW

BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV -----Wood, metal, glass and paper are transformed
into sculpture, furniture and design artworks by 15 regional and local
artists in Art in Architecture, the Morgan Arts Council’s (MAC) new
show. The special exhibit opens at the Ice House Gallery in Berkeley
Springs on Friday, April 4 at 7:30pm. It is curated by Martinsburg
photographer and designer, Rip Smith, and hangs through April 27.

The Ice House Gallery gala opening is part of an Artwalk that begins at
Mountain Laurel Crafts on the square from 5 to 7:30pm showcasing a
remarkable array of high quality, handcrafted American arts and
wearables.

"Architecture is one of the oldest forms of art," said curator Smith.
"Artistic design of living, working, and ceremonial spaces is just an
extension of architecture. It is all aimed at enhancing life
activities."

Lee Badger of Anvilworks in Hedgesville creates forged and hammered
metal furniture and sculpture that invites touching and often defines
the space in which it is placed whether inside or out. "I like to
make a piece that fits perfectly into its surroundings, either as a
part of the whole or as a natural focal point," says Badger whose
one-of-a-kind commissioned works can be found in both private and
public collections.

Peter Wood is a metal artist in Berkeley Springs whose work can be seen
both inside and out at Lot 12. Wood merges his strength and
imagination with the properties of the metal -- both found and new --
to transform the material into images and objects of flowing and
carefree movement. "I often allow the metal to choose its own
direction," he says.

Both Wood and Badger were part of last summer's All About Metal show at
the Ice House.

New to the Ice House is Dr. Judy Rand, an experimental psychologist who
turned in her academic life for one as an artist and woodworker nearly
three decades ago. Her long, narrow cabinets are richly decorated with
textured images drawn from landscapes and often feature an inviting
path that becomes the cabinet opening.

Other work includes John Fisher's Japanese-influenced silver Torii
jewelry, the popular stick furniture of Jerry Smith and both
traditional photography from Rip Smith and Doug Ritenburg as well as
Alice Webb's cutting-edge digital photo art.

"I think this is a very appealing show with many items attendees will
want in their homes or offices," said Jane Frenke, chair of MAC's
gallery committee. "Since many of the pieces are one-of-a-kind, people
should come to the opening to guarantee they can get what they want."

The curated gallery exhibit produced by the Morgan Arts Council is
funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the West Virginia
Commission on the Arts and hotel/motel tax revenues. The Ice House is
located on the corner of Independence and Mercer and is open Friday
through Monday from 11am to 5pm. For more information call 258-2300
check online at www.macicehouse.org.