The Bascom Shop is featuring three regional artists throughout March as part of the 2019 Pop Up Shop Series to showcase artistic talent from around the area. Attendees at Friday’s Artist Meet and Greet at The Bascom were able to discuss works on display with the artists who created them.
Artists exhibiting their work over the next month as part of the series include Sara Method, Dylan Lytle, and Dominick Cioffi.
Dylan Lytle
Dylan Lytle
Dylan Lytle is The Bascom’s photographer resident from Old Fort, N.C., who also captures his subjects through film in nature and aims for a dramatic reaction when people view his work.
“About 6 years ago I took a trip and saw the prettiest sunset, I bought the cheapest camera I could and fell in love with it,” said Lytle.
One of his favorite aspects of photography is being able to share the moment with his audience.
“I really like everything about it,” he said. “I like to share that experience with others as cleanly and artistically as possible. Create a dramatic mood while looking completely natural.”
Sara Method
Sara Method
Method, of Lake Toxaway, N.C., exhibited several photographs taken in nature from all over the region. She said she enjoys events like the Pop Up Shop series because it gives her a chance to discuss her work with other art enthusiasts.
“These are great, there’s always a variety of artists and people who love art, it’s a really a nice mix,” said Method.
Her photos come from her love of the outdoors, hiking, and collecting wherever her travels took her.
“Everything in nature is inspired,” she said. “I spent so much time as a kid outside learning lessons about nature, collecting, taking photos of plants and animals, I’ve just always loved it.”
Dominick Cioffi
Dominick Cioffi
Dominick Cioffi is from Pittsburg, Penn., and works with a variety of mixed mediums including paints. When he begins a project, he doesn’t aim to explain his work to the viewer, but let his audience make up their own minds.
“I leave it open to interpretation,” said Cioffi. “Everyone see something different, so I try and let others decide what they’re seeing.”
A tattoo artist by trade, Cioffi said his direction is determined by the color choices for each piece. He said one of the most liberating aspects of painting on canvas, as opposed to flesh, is the freedom to paint anything he wants without the instruction of someone looking to get a tattoo.
“I don’t tell myself what I’m going to paint, I just let the colors determine what I’m doing,” said Cioffi.
Pop Up Shop Series
In 2018, The Bascom Shop recognized a need to create opportunities for local and regional artists to showcase larger bodies of work than space would allow in its normal retail environment, said Kat Ford, Director of Community Engagement at The Bascom.
“The Pop Up Shop Series was designed as a platform to allow artists to tell a larger narrative, explore new artistic concepts, and introduce their body of work to members and guests of The Bascom,” said Ford. “We quickly found that not only did artists appreciate this new opportunity, but that members and guests loved it! The Highlands-Cashiers plateau is not only rich in artistic talent, but we are rich in a community that genuinely loves art.”
The Artist Meet and Greets allow for members and guests to speak with artists about their inspiration and process and are held the first Friday of each month from 4-5 p.m.
“If looking at art is intriguing, listening to an artist speak passionately about their creation is intoxicating,” said Ford. “These are the types of authentic artistic interactions The Bascom Shop is hoping to foster for both the artist and the art lover.”
For more information on The Bascom click HERE.
Article and photos by Brian O’Shea
plateaudailynews@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram: @plateaudailynews
Like us on Facebook HERE
Purchase photos click HERE
This Week Only at The Bascom:
March 7
Hudson Library Kids Zone
The Bascom provides monthly supplemental art programming during the Hudson Library’s “Kid Zone with The Bascom” program from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Elementary aged students read a book and complete an art project related to the content they read.
Ceramic Youth Pottery Classes (Pinch Pot Animal Platters)
The Bascom’s Ceramics Department offers young artists an opportunity to have fun, while helping developing style, technique, form, and concept. Classes incorporate a variety of techniques using the potter’s wheel, slab roller, and hand building methods. For more information click HERE.
March 9
Beginner Photography Class, Photography Resident Artist Series with Dylan Lytle
Learning Manual settings: Students will learn the rules of exposure, and how to manipulate the manual controls on their camera to take correctly exposed images from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. For more information click HERE.
Western North Carolina Woodturners March meeting
The Western North Carolina Woodturners are a group of craftsmen committed to sharing and learning the art of woodturning from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Through monthly meetings with demos and discussions, the Western North Carolina Woodturners create a fun and educational community of passionate turners in the Western North Carolina region. For more information click HERE.
Exhibition Galleries and Retail Shop:
Monday, Friday, and Saturday 10am – 5pm; Sunday 12pm – 5pm: Free Admission to exhibition spaces and SmArt Space for children. Shop for a handmade local art in The Bascom Shop. Enjoy The Story Walk Trail around The Bascom’s campus.
Exhibition: March 9 – June 2, 2019: George Masa: Iconic Vistas of Highlands
Dave Drake Studio Barn:
Monday – Saturday: Art By Appointment private ceramic classes
Monday – Friday: You Too Can Raku by appointment class
March 12, 14, 19, and 21: March Resident Artist Series (When Throwing Or Hand Building, There Will Be Times To Add Handles, Lids, Knobs, Attachments.) 10 a.m. – Noon
March 7, 14, 21: Ceramic Youth Pottery Classes (Pinch Pot Animal Platters) 10am – Noon, 3:15-5 p.m.
Monday – Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.- 5 p.m: Open Studio in The Dave Drake Studio Barn
Artist Groups:
Monday 10 a.m.-1 p.m: Studio Alive drawing group
Tuesday 3 p.m. – 5 p.m: Writer’s Group
Saturday 10 a.m.-12 p.m: Community Knitters group