Carolina Artists Guild hosts annual Art Expo show and sale
Published 12:05 am Saturday, September 30, 2023
Guests enjoy the artwork on display during the Carolina Artists Guild’s annual Expo Art Show and Sale. Photo by Andy Mooney, Salisbury Post.
Heather Duncan, a newer member of Carolina Artists, stands next to her painting that took second place at the recent Expo. Her love of fairs clearly comes through in the joyful creation. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci, Salisbury Post.
New member of Carolina Artists Rhonjlyn Caldwell next to her award-winning piece from the Expo. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci, Salisbury Post.
Clyde, a well-known local artist, captured his own back yard in a stunning piece on display at the recent Carolina Artist Expo. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci, Salisbury Post.
The near-photographic oil painting by Marshall Stokes took first place in a recent Carolina Artists Expo. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci, Salisbury Post.
Kay Harviel garnered honorable mention for this charming painting of an opossum on display during the Carolina Artists Expo. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci, Salisbury Post.
All the winners from the recent Carolina Artist Expo. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci, Salisbury Post.
By Elisabeth Strillacci
Salisbury Post
SALISBURY — The Carolina Artists Guild celebrated a number of their own last week during their annual Expo Art Show and Sale at the Civic Center.
The organization holds monthly meetings and is a place for artists using all types of media to come together to support and encourage one another.
Heather Duncan taught herself art three years ago, after initially studying literature at Catawba College.
“I always wanted to be an artist,” she said at the expo, where she won a first place ribbon for one of her pieces. Duncan is the coordinator for the youth ministry at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and has had several opportunities to use her art in her job. “I work with a lot of kids, and I’m always trying to think outside the box with them.” Fairs are also one of her favorite events, and her work reflects her love of the carnival, with bright colors and interesting characters.
Another winner and newly added member of the group, Rhonjlyn Cardwell, is an ecletic artist who paints emotions captured in events.
A series on display at the event depicted the paddle-out in Hawaii following the Lahaina fire.
“One captures how I view the paddle-out itself, and one captures the emotions of it,” she said.
Both Duncan and Cardwell said the friendliness and welcoming nature of Carolina Artists made joining the group appealing.
Cardwell recently married, and her husband, Charles, is “immensely proud of her.” But the couple are also hoping her art meets pubic approval and appeal, because the marriage cost Cardwell her disability.
“I am hoping I can make a living from what I love,” she said.
Salisbury Post graphic designer and artist Andy Mooney was joined by another hyper-realism artist, Marshall Stokes; and additional talent, including artists Clyde, an abstract artist; Connie Peninger, an inspirational and impressionistic artist; Brian Holiday, specializing in local and North Carolina photography; Janet Isenhour, a watercolor and mixed media artist; MaryEllen Bennett, a 3-D and creative junk artist and Carolyn Blackman, who is a watercolor, oil, pen and ink artist, among many others.
Anyone interested in joining the group is invited to attend a meeting on the third Thursday of each month at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Come in the North Jackson Street entrance. You can also follow The Carolina Artist Guild on Facebook.
