"Tipsy Cake" by Norbert Irvine

"Norbert W. Irvine: Reflective Iridescences on Canvas," an exhibition of some 12 mixed media pieces by Asheville artist Norbert Irvine, will be on view at UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union Gallery July-August 6. The show features Irvine's work, which incorporate prismatic papers, glitter, acrylic, opalescent colors, permanent inks and commercial holographic paper. A reception and artist talk will be held at noon Monday, July 13, in the gallery. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.

Irvine worked as a silkscreen printmaker for 20 years, creating more than 4,000 prints which are among private and corporate collections across the country, including Saks Fifth Avenue in New York, the Denver National Bank in Colorado and the Washington Post in the nation's capital. As he became interested in surface textures and iridescence, he moved to mixed media on canvas.

"At times, I feel like a frustrated cake decorator as I create and build a richness of texture on canvas," Irvine said. "I seek changeability of reflective iridescence on canvas."

Irvine holds a master's of fine arts degree from East Carolina and worked previously as an art instructor with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Atlantic Christian College and McLean High School in Virginia. Currently, when not in the studio, Irvine serves as the box office manager at the Asheville Civic Center.

The gallery is located on the lower level of UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union. The gallery is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information, call UNC Asheville's Art Department at 828/251-6559.