About 60 people turned out for the Aug. 24 grand opening of North Main Street Studios, a new art studio and gallery in Waynesville.

Local musicians Mike Campbell, Michael Lumpkin, Chris Minick and others entertained with live music in the upstairs area of the studio, while guests perused the gallery and sampled food and drinks downstairs.

North Main Street Studios has been up and running for a few months now with five working artists using the building as a place to create their artwork — everything from mixed media sculpture to watercolor paintings to collage. Five more slots are open at the building, and artists who work there also have the advantage of selling their pieces in the gallery.

If the Friday evening celebration is any indication of the growing arts scene in Waynesville, the downtown has plenty to look forward to. Local Waynesville potters, painters, writers, college art students and musicians came out to show their support. The gallery at North Main Street Studios includes watercolor paintings by Chris Minick, batik on paper and oil paintings by Jimmy McDonough, mixed media pieces by Faryn Davis, collages by Stephen Savage, watercolor paintings by Siobhan Kizis, photography by Nick Frazier, furnace blown glass and raku-fired ceramic by Kate Millar, photo manipulation by Trisha Trevenot and mixed media by Lisa Ringlespaugh-Irvine.

“I’m really pleased with how people are in and out of here,” said Tanya Savage, who co-owns the studio with her husband Stephen. Both are working artists who moved to Maggie Valley from Raleigh with the idea of starting up an artists’ co-op. Now that the studio is open to the public, the Stephens are looking for more artists who would like to use the space.

Tanya thanked her parents for all their support as well as local businesses such as Central Carolina Insurance Group and The Wineseller Patio for helping out with the grand opening refreshments.

 

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The Smoky Mountain News