Sculpture in the South II

Sculpture in the South was wonderful again this year. I am still in awe of some of the great sculptors I meet here every year.

We had rain on Friday, of course. It is the lowcountry in May after all. But the installation was done by the time the downpour hit, and the black-tie reception was held indoors - thankfully!

We had two beautiful days for the show-until about 3 PM on Sunday. Then the skies opened again. My neighbor's Blackberry showed a line of storms coming that was sure to last for hours. Customers disappeared when the rain came, and the show organizers wisely closed the show early.

They passed out ponchos to those of us who were not prepared, and we proceded to load up without damage to the artwork or displays. Even Karryl's 300 lb giraffe was loaded without damage.

Sales were down from last year, but the show was worth the trip. I'm looking forward to next year already!

posted 5/23/2009

Sculpture in the South

Sculpture in the South is my favorite show of the season - partly because it's early, and we aren't exhausted yet, and partly because it's a sculpture-only show, which let's me meet and talk with some of my favorite sculptors, but mostly because of the wonderful people of Summerville.

These folks really know how to put on a show. They arrange every detail. Sculptors come from as far away as Minnesota, Texas, and California ship their work here. The show staff provides the help and equipment needed to move and set up the displays, provides tents, refreshments (including Carolina Barbeque!), and handles the sales transactions.

And local patrons put on the greatest meals after the show. I can still taste the shrimp and grits! The best part of all is their love and appreciation of sculpture. In spite of a low-country downpour last year the Friday night black-tie outdoor reception was well attended.

If you can't come to Summerville, you must visit their web site, SculptureintheSouth.com.

2009 Open Studios Tour

The Open Studios Tour was great this year! Thanks to Nan Mahone, Steve Mitchell and Kevin Kittredge for the great coverage in the Roanoke Times. We had lots of visitors.

Open Studios is the first outdoor show of the year, and we always look forward to it. We air out our tent and scrub the accumulated dust from the pedestals. This is usually the first chance we get to show my new pieces for the year. And we get a chance to meet our local supporters face to face.

We won't be doing the Sidewalk Show this year due to conflicts with other commitments, but do look in at Gallery 108. I'll have some new pieces there.

Taubman Museum of Art

Architecture by Randall Stout Architects
Photograph by Tim Hursley

The new Taubman Art Museum in Roanoke is a delight!

I am not one to admire modern architecture. Yet I waited anxiously to see the space. I went as soon as I could and was amazed! The large size and functionality of the interior space took awhile to assimilate. The space is huge! The angles and views of the city and surrounding valley are grand.

This is a wonderful addition to Roanoke, and a "must see". The cafe is excellent, especially the Sunday Brunch. The art is familiar with a few new twists. The "hands on" room, the pocketbooks and the tattoos made the experience a bit different.

Outdoor Shows

I love art shows!

Yes, it is a hassle, involving applications, deadlines, photos, and heavy lifting. But I love talking to people who love art, especially sculpture.

So far this year I have done two: the Open Studios tour in Roanoke, and Sculpture in the South in Summerville SC.

We were at Mary Jane Burtch's new house for Open Studios. My studio is in the County, too far off the beaten track and with no parking. We have been showing at Mary Jane's for many years. She moved away from her old house on Grandin Road last year. We set up at Grandin Gardens then, just down the street, but this year we were in South Roanoke at Mary Jane's new studio.

We saw less traffic, but had good sales. The people who came wanted to see us! They didn't just happen by. Many old friends came, including one young collector who has bought a piece every year since she was eight years old! She's thirteen now.

Sculpture in the South was an awesome experience. Thirty-six sculptors from all over the US were there. Artists from as far away as Oregon, California, Colorado and Texas came to show their work. And it was wonderful! I have been following the careers of several of these people for 20 years, since I first began to carve stone. They are my heroes! It was an honor to show with them.

The show itself was by far the best organized of any that I have seen. They welcomed us with a "good Southern breakfast" on Friday as we set up. They provided tents and cashier services, as well as motorized carts and helpers to carry our work. Friday night there was a black tie gala, where I re-discovered the joys of shrimp and grits, low-country style! Our host was a bed and breakfast in an old Southern mansion. Everywhere you looked there was a piece of sculpture, purchased by the owner, not on loan from the artist.

Saturday and Sunday were warm, busy days. The low-country humidity came in with the heavy rains late Friday, but the rain left as quickly as it came. Attendance at the show was good. There was so much great sculpture to see! And, there were talks on clay sculpture, stone carving, and bronze casting by working sculptors. Saturday night and again on Sunday the artists enjoyed a great feast provided by local art patrons. The artists got a chance to get together and swap tips and stories. There is never enough time for this during the show. (The price of bronze and gasoline were big topics.)

I am looking forward to more shows in the Fall, when the weather is cooler. As I write this it is 95 degrees at 4 PM in these Virginia mountains, too hot to be outside.

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose... sometimes it rains.
(apologies to "Bull Durham")

Baby Elephant

When we visited the San Francisco Zoo in October, I saw a young girl climbing on this wonderful statue of a seated baby elephant. It inspired me to create a baby elephant in pewter. And, of course, a seated donkey!



Here are my newest pewter miniatures. I gave my elephant a raised trunk for good luck.

You can buy them at Gallery 108 in Roanoke, VA, at the other galleries listed on my web site, or direct from me at Geer's Creations.

Traveling Workshops

Doing what you love to do, and having other people enjoy it is the best! Teaching children to sculpt is just that. I find it amazing that high school students, middle schoolers, and even elementary school students in the third grade are excited to learn how to carve stone. In as little as two hours they can make an animal fetish from Brazilian soapstone.

In addition to my usual schedule of after-school classes at Roanoke City and County Schools, and adult classes at the Art Museum in Roanoke, I did a series of "two-a-day" two-hour workshops at schools in Augusta County in November. Liz Moss of the Artisan Center of Virginia arranged them as part of the Center's outreach program. It gave me a chance to visit new schools and meet new teachers and students.

Thanks to the Artis Council of the Blue Ridge for organizing the Roanoke City School program, The Art Museum of Western Virginia for the adult program, and KICS for the Roanoke County schools. And special thanks for the efforts of Nancy Newhart Farrar for the Artist in Residency at Allegheny High School, and Liz Moss at the Artisan Center of Virginia for the Augusta County program.