Current Season

Louis Orr: Etchings

Ben Shahn: Lithographs

Barton Art Faculty Exhibition

20th Annual Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition

Decorative Arts from the Grine Collection

Barton Senior Art Exhibition 1998

Louis Orr: Etchings

September 2-October 10

Work in this exhibition was loaned from the Greenville Museum of Art, Greenville, N.C.

Ben Shahn: Lithographs

September 2-October 10

Work in this exhibition was loaned from the Greenville Museum of Art, Greenville, N.C.

Barton Art Faculty Exhibition

October 22-December 9
Opening Reception November 2, 2-4 p.m.
Gallery talks by J. Chris Wilson Jennifer Reitmeyer, Thursday, November 13, 3-5 p.m.
Gallery Talk by Susan Fecho, and Philip Guilfoyle, Thursday, November 20, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

This exhibition offers a harmonious blend of painting, ceramics, photography, computer generated collages and offset lithography. Viewers will immediately recognize the earthiness and warmth of the exhibit when they enter the museum.

The artists have successfully combined the diversity of texture and media to incorporate a stimulating collection that lures the visitors to study the art forms beyond the first impression. The contrast in styles complement each other as each piece of art reflects the spirit and energy of its creator. Consummate professionals in their field of expertise, they choose to teach as they create, and they offer guidance and inspiration to young artists stretching to reach their own potential.

The catalog for this exhibition shares with the reader bits of philosophy from each artist. “Being an artist is a process,” Wilson says. “I look for the technique and the media to best represent the image with energy and presence to impact the viewer. I would like the painting to command its space. I strive to have the painting be more significant and inherently valuable than the image represented and materials used. Engaging viewers is the goals.”

“The photographer has the choice of ‘setting up’ the recorded moment or composing the image directly from the environment,” said Reitmeyer. “I usually previsualize the content of my work and place before the lens the subject matter that I wish to record with my camera. After photographing a series of images on a chosen theme, I then alter the printed image to express my personal vision.”

“Ceramic materials and processes present infinite possibilities,” said Guilfoyle. “In this exhibit, I present only a few. I hope the pieces prove challenging and expand the viewer’s concept of the ceramic vessel. The imagery of the work is closely related to natural objects, places and events drawn from my memories and experiences in nature. I hope the viewer’s own memories and experiences will be awakened.”

“No matter how much we create art, artists continue to ponder content, design, color and the relationships between them,” said Fecho. “Art history, with its decades of images by great artists, influences the present day artists. Like poetry, two-dimensional work deals in meanings conditioned by emotional attitudes evoked by the artist’s selection of visual elements.”

A native of Waycross, Ga., Wilson completed his bachelor of arts degree at Valdosta State University in 1970. He went on to study that summer in Cortona, Italy, with the Regents Studies Abroad Program at the University of Georgia. Upon his return to the states, Wilson continued at the University of Georgia to earn his master of Fine Arts degree in 1973. After another year of post graduate studies, Wilson joined the Barton College faculty as an instructor in 1974. Presently a professor at Barton, he chairs the art department and directs the exhibition program for the Barton Museum and the Scholastic Art Awards for eastern N.C.

An associate professor of art, Reitmeyer hails from Terre Haute, Ind. She earned her bachelor of science degree in art education with a minor in painting from Indiana State University in 1975. Continuing at Indiana State, Reitmeyer completed her master of fine arts degree graduating with distinction recognition in 1984. Her major areas of study in her graduate program included photography and drawing. Prior to her appointment at Barton in 1984, Reitmeyer taught in the art departments at Lafayette School Corporation, Vincennes University and Indiana State University. She also spent the summer of 1979 learning the art of papermaking at Twinrocker Incorporated in Brookston, Ind.

Guilfoyle, assistant professor of art, moved from Bethany Beach, Del., in 1995 to join the Barton community. He earned his bachelor of science degree in painting and ceramics from Berry College in 1988 and continued his education at Kean College of New Jersey where he completed his master of arts degree with an emphasis in art education and studio art in 1991. In 1993, Guilfoyle earned a second master of arts degree in ceramics and printmaking from the University of Delaware and completed post graduate studies in computer graphics and art education methods in 1994. Guilfoyle taught at the University of Delaware, Indian River High School and Delaware State University prior to his employment at Barton.

Fecho joined the Barton College community this fall as an associate professor of art. A resident of Tarboro, Fecho earned her bachelor of fine arts degree with an emphasis in printmaking, painting and technology from East Carolina University. She continued her studies at ECU where she completed her master of fine arts degree in printmaking and surface design. Fecho also pursued graduate studies at the Jan Van Eyck Academy in Maastrict, Holland, where she concentrated on art history and papermaking.

She has continued her education with post graduate research at Penland School of Crafts in Penland through East Tennessee State University and Western Carolina University as well as ECU, Edgecombe Community College and Chowan College. Prior to her employment at Barton, she taught at Edgecombe Community College, ECU and Chowan. She was also as a new media director at Walker-Ross Printing Company in Rocky Mount and fine arts technologist at North Edgecombe High School.

20th Annual Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition

January 25-February 12
Opening Reception January 25, 2 p.m.

This year 1,500 entries will be submitted from 80 schools. Students, through their teachers, submit art work in different media including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and ceramics. The jury looks for originality, craftsmanship, skill in rendering and presentation.

Two-hundred and fifty pieces will be selected for the exhibition. Gold Key and Silver Key Award medals are given to the young artists whose works are selected for the regional exhibition at Barton College. Fifty pieces were designated as Gold Key finalists. These finalists will be sent to New York City for judging against other regional winners for the national exhibition held in June at the Cochran Gallery, Washington, D.C.Additionally, there were 75 regional Silver Key winners.

Jessica Hess from E. A. Laney High School received the Barton College Award and was chosen as a gold key finalist and received a gold key. The Wilson Daily Times Award was presented to Kaine Asika, a gold key finalist, from Northeastern High School.

Additional area winners included gold key winner Patrick Idem and silver key winners, Phillip Idem and Andrew Slaughter, from Hunt High School.

Barton was host for the event for the 20th consecutive year, and The Wilson Daily Times was sponsor. The national awards program has been held for over 70 years under the auspices of Scholastic Art Awards, Inc. The eastern North Carolina district, comprised of 46 counties, is the largest of the four North Carolina districts.

The district has an advisory committee composed of six art teachers who select the jury. This year's jury was composed of professional artists, college art professors and an art administrator.

Decorative Arts from the Grine Collection

February 22-March 20
Opening Reception February 22, 2-4 p.m.

“The collection of art and decorative art assembled by Pete and Connie Grine clearly demonstrates an appreciation of beauty, quality and attention to detail,” said J. Chris Wilson, chair of the department of art and director of exhibitions.

“Within the paintings are represented important N.C. artists including Francis Speight, Hobson Pittman and Sarah Blakeslee.”

The spectacular collection of paintings featured in the Lula E. Rackley Gallery also will include the works of Charleston artist Louis Remy Mignot, American impressionist John Joseph Enneking and Wilson native Archibald Webb.

“Collecting objects of art is a very individual thing,” the Grines said in their collector’s statement for the exhibition catalog.

“There are all types of collectors and all types of collections. Some collectors specialize in a more narrow field, e.g., 20th century paintings. We have never done this. Basically we look for paintings, porcelain, furniture and silver that we really like and then somehow find a place for them in our home.”

Selections from the Grines’ decorative art collection will be on view in the Virginia Thompson Graves Gallery and include a New England Cherry Queen Anne highboy, c. 1750; a blue and white porcelain bowl from the sunken ship Nanking, c. 1750; and a Chinese Canton (Guanzhou) enamel teapot on stand, Qianlong Period, c. 1736-1796.

“A late 18th century walnut desk of the Roanoke River Basin School by the important cabinetmaker, known by his initials ‘WH,’ is the focal point of a significant collection of American and English furniture of the Georgian and Federal periods,” said Wilson.

“The evidence of fine proportions, sculptural form and developed surface are apparent throughout the exhibition in both two and three dimensional pieces. Fine proportions are characteristically present in the New England Highboy, c. 1750, and the New England Hepplewhite Chest, c. 1800, and are equally echoed in the balanced proportions of positive to negative space in the Sarah Blakeslee ‘Still Life with Brushes,’ and the fine proportion of dark to light and bright to dull in the Archibald Webb ‘Still Life with Oxblood Vase.’ “

In the collector’s statement the Grines pose the question, “So, what makes a collector?” They answer “...it certainly takes a person who feels that our past history and the craftsmanship of past centuries deserve respect and reverence for the beautiful things they made before the industrial age and mass production.”

“It takes someone who loves to read about antiques and visit museums, auction galleries and antique shops. It takes a little humility also, because even experts can be fooled by forgeries or alterations.”

Barton Senior Art Exhibition 1998

April 4-May 15

This year's senior exhibition features the work of twelve seniors including Wilson County natives Kelley Cleaton, Michelle Lee and D. Wesley Page.

Cleaton, a transfer from N.C. State University, is the daughter of Danny and Mary Ann Cleaton of Wilson. She is earning a bachelor of fine arts degree in studio art with an emphasis in ceramics and a bachelor of science degree in studio art with emphases in photography and ceramics. She has been awarded scholarships on two occasions for her work and dedication in the field of art and is a member of the Alpha Chi National Society. Her works have been featured in a number of exhibitions, including the Arts Council of Wilson, the Eagle Gallery in Raleigh and the Farmville Arts Council. She plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master of fine arts degree in ceramics.

Lee is the daughter of Ms. Ernestine Lee and Greg Lee, both of Wilson. She is completing a bachelor of science degree in studio art with emphases in graphic design and photography. Lee's exhibiting works will include graphic design, photography, oil painting, as well as three-dimensional pieces. She is active in her community as a board member of the Wilson County Affiliation for the Prevention of Child Abuse and as the founder of G.R.A.C.E. (Grandparents Receiving Abundant Care Everyday), an outreach program for elderly citizens in Wayne and Wilson counties. Lee also is an ambassador for Wilson and has made numerous presentations on the importance of community service and its benefits.

Page, a featured painter, is the son of David and Ellen Page:of Stantonsburg. He transferred from East Carolina University and is pursuing a bachelor of fine arts degree in studio art with an emphasis in painting and a bachelor of science degree in studio art with an emphasis in ceramics. He has placed in the annual Rocky Mount Art Show, and has had works presented at the Eagle Gallery in Raleigh. Following graduation from Barton in December, Page:is planning to study abroad through the University of Georgia Studies Abroad Program at Cortona, Tuscany, Italy, in the spring of 1999. He will pursue graduate studies following his study abroad experience.

This exhibition promises to be an exciting collection of various media including drawing, painting, ceramics, photography and graphic design. A culmination of creativity, the works of these artists will intrigue the eye and provoke one's imagination.

Other exhibiting artists include Cindy Barnett, Clifton Park, N.Y.; Stanley A. Boyd, Richmond, Va; Kerry Ellis, Kernersville; Scott Gilstrap, Cary; Andrew Kaplan, Virginia Beach, Va; Grant Taylor Roberson, Durham, whose photographs has appeared many times in The Wilson Daily Times; Jason Thomas and Carrie J. White, Rocky Mount; and Benjamin Williams, Goldsboro.