Art abounds in the Mountain Empire. From music to theater to dance, an abundance of creativity exists.
Add painting to the mix.
See a wealth of paintings from the region’s finest artists on display throughout the month of March at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon.
The exhibit features the wares of various members of Marion-based Appalachian Spirit Arts Association, including Ned Johnson, CiCi Brown Vesce and Duane Cregger.
Four of Cregger’s works will be on display, including “Night Fishing.”
“It’s abstract but obviously a night theme,” said Cregger, president of the board of directors of the Appalachian Spirit Artists’ Cooperative, by phone from his office in Marion. “It’s a plastered painting, so it’s heavily textured.”
Cregger paints primarily in abstracts. Look at a mountain through blurred eyes, and you’ll have a rough idea of what an abstract painting may look like. As opposed to more realistic styles, abstracts oftentimes allow greater levels of interpretation.
Take Cregger’s “Night Fishing.”
“You can see fish coming out of the water,” Cregger said.
Now add such knowledge as Bristol Tennessee-born Cregger’s relocation from Washington, D.C. back to this region in 2005. Toss in the fact the Mountain Empire’s population pales when compared with Washington’s and … bingo!
“The painting sort of symbolizes my move back from Washington, D.C.,” Cregger said. “[My paintings] reflect things that are going on in my life or that I see going on in the world.
“It takes a piece of you to create art.”
Cregger’s world includes his work as the executive director of the Lincoln Theatre in Marion. A graduate of Roanoke College with a degree in art, he worked in various aspects of graphics design before returning to the region. However, he didn’t take up painting until 2004.
“I’ve always been a creative person and graphic design was limited in that respect, so painting was the next step,” Cregger said. “I bought all these canvases and paints and started painting. I was completely driven to paint.”
Much as he moved to painting as a logical step beyond graphic design, Cregger also gravitated to abstract art.
“I found when I tried to paint realistic things that it wasn’t enjoyable to me,” he said. “I didn’t feel the creative flow.”
Now and as with many painters, Cregger said he paints on weekdays after work and on weekends. In other words, he paints when possible. His efforts have led to about 40 paintings.
“Some of them I keep working on,” he said. “I’m still working through the process of becoming a painter.” See for yourself.
“I paint for me and I hope other people like it,” Cregger said. “When I see people relate to my paintings, then great.”
Consider that art lives all about us and indeed emerges from within as well.
“It’s part of the human soul,” Crigger said. “It’s a reflection of ourselves and our culture. It’s part of what separates us from animals. Art is for the ages.”
IF YOU GO
What: Art exhibit featuring art from members of the Appalachian Spirit Arts Association
When: March 1-31
Where: Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Abingdon
Tickets: Free
Info: (276) 619-4300 n Web: www.appalachianspiritgallery.com
LEARN MORE ABOUT ART
www.artcyclopedia.com
www.metmuseum.org/toah/splash.htm
www.artlex.com
www.abstractart.20m.com
www.fine-art.com
TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer.
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