FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 9/19/08
Morgan Arts Council • Berkeley Springs, WV
Press Contact only: Mary Hott - mary@macicehouse.org or call 304-258-2300

PHOTOS AVAILABLE

ARTWALK LAUNCHES GALLERY SHOW AT ICE HOUSE

BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV ---- A dozen artists from around the region are showcased in a special exhibit at the Ice House Gallery entitled Fish and Fowl. The exhibit opens on Friday, October 3 with a reception at 7:30pm. The opening is the third stop on an Artwalk that includes receptions at Mountain Laurel Gallery and Nature Niche beginning at 5pm. Curated by artist Jane Kelly Morais and produced by the Morgan Arts Council (MAC), the show is displayed through November 9.

Both Artwalk locations are on Washington St. near the Ice House in downtown Berkeley Springs. Mountain Laurel Gallery is celebrating its 10th year as one of the country's premier galleries of American arts and crafts, Nature Niche is a popular shop for both families and adults interested in gifts and other items reflecting the images and values of the environment.

"I have long been fascinated with how fish and birds inspired artists from ancient times to the present," said curator Kelly Morais about the theme of her show. "Some of the invited artists use fantasy and whimsy while others are naturalists." Materials used in the art displayed range from clay, and found objects to paints and inks. Local artists include Jan Heath, a printmaker, and Lynn Lavin who creates ceramic sculptures.

Artwork artists Sephi and Clare, formerly working with silkscreened clothing, exhibit a new group of free standing metal sculptures. Harvey Kirstel is a painter with a home in Berkeley Springs. His bold and colorful paintings show giant versions of fishing lures. Pat Kazi is showing intricate mixed media sculptures that are both historical and fairy tale figures. Among those most viewed of all the show artists is Dedree Drees whose digital art creates elevator murals in the parking garage at BWI Airport.

Funding for special exhibit gallery shows at the Ice House is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, West Virginia Commission on the Arts and hotel/motel tax revenues from Morgan County and Bath.

The Ice House is located on Independence and Mercer in downtown Berkeley Springs. Gallery hours for seeing the show are Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. The Gallery is also open on Friday, October 3 and 10. For more information on the Morgan Arts Council, call 304-258-2300 or check online at www.berkeleysprings.com