Turchin Reception Features ASU Faculty and Students Appalachian State University’s Turchin Center for the Visual Arts warms the month of February for art lovers, with a reception for four new exhibitions in the center’s West Wing on Friday, February 3 from 7-9pm. A distinguished retired faculty member illustrates the generous spirit of Turchin Center patrons; the faculty of Appalachian’s Department of Art showcase their current research, and Art and Technology students display their talents to the campus and community. In Gallery B, the center showcases Ukiyo-e: Pictures of the Floating World; Japanese Woodblock Prints from the Collection of Dr. Margaret Polson. This exquisite exhibition of wood block prints is the newest addition to Appalachian’s Permanent Collection, a generous gift from Dr. Margaret ‘Peggy’ Polson, a longtime faculty member of ASU who is retired and currently lives in Iowa City, Iowa. The art of ukiyo-e, or “pictures of the floating world,” originated in the metropolitan culture of Tokyo during a time when shoguns ruled Japan’s political and military arenas, and Japan was largely isolated from cultural influence from the outside world. It was in this context that Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858), the featured artist in this exhibition, rose to prominence as an artist of wood block prints. Born in Tokyo, Hiroshege’s skills as an artist were recognized by his elders at just 10 years old. He was particularly skillful at drawing realistic scenes of famous vistas. It was this work that brought him into prominence and continues to bring him acclaim. The works on display at the Turchin Center present an overview of this print genre, and provide a context in which to learn more about this historically important artist. A “Lunch and Learn” educational discussion about this exhibition will be held on February 15 from noon-1pm in Gallery B. Framing for the works in the Ukiyo-e exhibit was made possible with gifts from Dr. Polson, and Pam and Mike McKay, of The Art Cellar in Banner Elk, NC. This exhibition will be on display in Gallery B through March 18. The focus on Dr. Polson as an artist, collector, and patron of the Turchin Center and Appalachian’s Permanent Collection continues in the Mayer Gallery, with an exhibition entitled, An Artist as Collector: Selected works from the Permanent Collection gifted by Dr. Margaret Polson. This exhibition features the artist’s own works, as well as works from her personal collection, and compliments the Ukiyo-e exhibition from the Permanent Collection. The Artist as Collector exhibit will be on display in the Mayer Gallery through March 18. In Gallery A, the Catherine J. Smith Gallery and Turchin Center for the Visual Arts collaborate to present Faculty Biennial, an exhibition of works by the faculty of Appalachian’s Department of Art. This exhibition is guest curated by Xandra Eden, Curator of Exhibitions at the Weatherspoon Art Museum at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. An accomplished curator, Eden has published reviews and articles in various magazines and written exhibition catalogue essays for museums throughout the country. Eden will author an essay placing the extraordinary work of Appalachian’s faculty within the context of current contemporary visual arts research. The faculty exhibition will be on display in Gallery A through March 18. Continuing the focus on Appalachian’s own talent, the center will exhibit Ceramics and Glass: A Student Focus Exhibition in partnership with Appalachian’s Departments of Art and Technology in the Carroll Gallery. This juried exhibition features works in ceramics and glass by students of Appalachian’s Department of Art and the Department of Technology. The glass works were created during a residency with the Department of Art’s visiting artist Junichiro Baba. Also during the month of February, the Turchin Center’s Community Art School presents a Handmade Marbled Paper workshop for adults, taught by Art Education Students of professor Gayle Marie Weitz. Creating marbled paper is a process of floating colors on the surface of a liquid and then laying the paper onto the colors to absorb them, creating unique and fun creations. This class meets February 20 and 22 from 10am-noon in the Arnold P. Rosen Education Wing, and is free to those over 60, and $5 for all others. Pre-registration is required. Admission to the Turchin Center and its exhibition receptions is free and open to the public. Hours of operation are 10am-6pm Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday, and noon-8pm Fridays (closed Sunday and Monday). Complimentary shuttle service for the February 3 reception will be provided from the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center, beginning at 6:45. For more information about the February 3 reception or the exhibition or Community Art School schedule, contact the Turchin Center at 828-262-3017 or visit www.tcva.org.