In conjunction with the National Arts and Crafts Conference taking place February 15 – 17 at The Omni Grove Park Inn, Grovewood Gallery in Asheville will host craft demonstrations by local chair caner Brandy Clements and painter Bryan Koontz.
Brandy Clements of Silver River Center for Chair Caning – the nation’s only fully dedicated chair caning school and museum – will be at Grovewood Gallery on February 15-17 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm demonstrating a variety of seat weaving techniques, including hand-woven chair caning (laced caning), Shaker tape weaving, Danish cord weaving, and more. This is a hands-on demonstration where visitors are encouraged to step up and learn a few weaving techniques. Bring a photo of your special chair and get advice on restorations, or just share your chair’s story.
Brandy is a 4th generation chair caner and self-proclaimed “chair nerd.” She’s on a mission to dispel the myth that chair caning is a dying art. She and her husband/business partner Dave Klingler have been weaving new lives into chairs for over 13 years, and have taught over 250 sessions at their school, located in the heart of Asheville’s River Arts District.
Bryan Koontz, who was chosen to create the artwork for Biltmore’s 2018 Christmas wine labels, will be in the gallery on February 15 and 16 from 11:00 to 4:00 pm demonstrating traditional oil painting techniques – working on a landscape, using photos to aid his memory, or painting en plein air (weather permitting). Finished works will be on display and available for sale.
Koontz is an Asheville native who can date his ancestry in Western North Carolina back to the late 1700s. His deep appreciation for the mountain culture, heritage, and scenery is evident in his artwork, which he paints in a realistic style similar to that of the mid to late 19th century American landscape painters. Employing traditional methods and archival materials, his aim is to produce works of art that will endure and be cherished for many generations.
In addition to painting, Koontz has worked 30+ years in graphic design and illustration. Notable projects have included pen and ink drawings for the Mast General Store, as well as their annual Christmas card paintings, and book illustration for author Nadia Dean.
For more information on Grovewood Gallery, visit www.grovewood.com or call (828) 253-7651.
Established in 1992, Grovewood Gallery is nationally recognized for its dedication to fine American art and craft. Located in historic Grovewood Village adjacent to The Omni Grove Park Inn, the gallery is noted for its charming, old-world setting and rich craft heritage. This site once housed the weaving and woodworking operations of Biltmore Industries, an Arts and Crafts enterprise – originally backed by Edith Vanderbilt – that played a significant role in the Appalachian Craft Revival during the early 20th century.