UNCA to Host Printmaking Invitational

UNC Asheville will host a printmaking invitational from February 6-March 4 at the University Gallery, located on the first floor of Owen Hall. The exhibition will feature a diverse selection of prints by professional artists, including Edward Bernstein, Charlie Huang, Brian Kelly, Scott Lowrey, Larry Schuh and Gerry Wubben. An opening reception will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, in the gallery.

"Constellation II" by Edward Bernstein

Bernstein is professor of art and co-chair of printmaking at Indiana University. He is also the director of the IU Summer Program in Printmaking and Artists Books at Scuola Internazionale di Grafica in Venice, Italy. He has received two regional National Endowment for Arts awards and the Society of American Graphic Arts Award for Excellence. Bernstein holds a master of fine arts degree in printmaking from Indiana University and has also studied with S.W. Hayter at Atelier 17 in Paris.

Huang, a native of Taiwan, holds a bachelor of arts degree in visual arts from McNeese State University. His work was recently featured in solo exhibitions at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum and the Art Associated Gallery Central School, which are both located in Lake Charles, La. His prints have also been included in exhibitions in the Ninth International Biennial Print and Drawing Exhibition in Taiwan, New York’s Cork Gallery in Lincoln Center and in a show that toured Australia and New Zealand.

"The Great American Hopper" by Brian Kelly

Kelly is an assistant professor of printmaking at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. A native of Chicago, Kelly holds a master of fine arts degree from Louisiana State University. He has been making prints for 16 years and his work has been included in more than 150 international, national and regional exhibitions. Kelly recently conducted printmaking workshops in Mexico and Brazil.

"Invocation Series/Corona" by Scott Lowrey

Lowrey is an associate professor of art at Mars Hill College, where he also serves as chair of the Visual Arts Department. Previously he taught at Warren Wilson College and was artist-in-residence at Austin Peay State University. He holds a master of fine arts degree in printmaking from Indiana University. His work was recently featured at the Asheville Art Museum’s exhibit, "Contemporary Western North Carolina Works on Paper," as well as in "The Modern Spirit" and "A Sign for Peace," traveling exhibitions of works on paper shown in New York, Italy and Romania.

"Contemplation" by Larry Schuh

Schuh, assistant professor of art at McNeese State University, holds a master of fine arts degree from Indiana University. His work has been included in recent exhibitions in Arizona, Louisiana, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. He received the purchase award at the 1992 Harper College National Print and Drawing Exhibition and one of his lithographs was selected for the catalog cover of the 1990 Boston Printmakers 42nd North American Print Exhibition.

"Hemisphere II" by Gerry Wubben

Wubben is professor of art at McNeese State University, where he received the 2000 Alumni Faculty Member of the Year Award. He holds a master of fine arts degree in printmaking from Indiana University. Wubben has exhibited his work in more than 200 international, national and regional exhibitions, including shows in Colorado, Louisiana, New York and Texas.

The gallery is open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays. Admission is free. For more information, call UNCA's Art Department at 828/251-6559.

Media Contacts:

• Robert Tynes, Gallery Director and Associate Art Professor, 828/251-6880
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526