September 15 through October 29, 2022

“The Treasure & The Box”

Flow Gallery, located in historic downtown Marshall, announces its next exhibit, The Treasure and The Box which features new work by 20 local artists. The opening reception will take place in conjunction with downtown Marshall’s Third Thursday on September 15th, from 5 to 8pm. The show will remain open from September 15th through October 29th.  

Initially inspired by the thought that there are hidden treasures all around us particularly in art, Flow reached out to artists with an open invitation to create something for The Treasure and The Box exhibit.  The responses were fun, interesting, unique, and varied.  “Our themed shows allow artists to step outside of their normal work to create something new” offered Connie Molland, a founding member of Flow.  “It’s really cool to see an artist stretch themselves into creating something that is often – but not always, very different from their traditional work,” Molland continued.  Treasures are seen as precious things that pique our curiosity and sense of wonder and excitement.  The boxes that hold the treasures can also draw the viewer into the mystery of what treasures lie within.

“As an artist, I have many ideas to make things, but I don’t always find the time to create something outside of my normal work,” offered Jaana Mattson, a landscape needle felting artist with Flow.  “When I heard about the Treasure and The Box show, I gave myself the gift of time to create a totally new piece with found objects,” continued Mattson.  Jaana describes her piece for the show as one that “captures the metaphor for the art process - to capture a thought, a sight, an idea.  The bird represents the manifestation of the idea.  If not captured by the hand of the artists, ideas fly off, back to the flock of unrealized work.”

In addition to the sixteen Flow artists which includes Mattson, four non-Flow artists were invited to provide work for this show.  Participating artists include Victoria Baker. Bee Beddingfield, Valerie Berlage, Cindy Berry, Ruby Bosk, Kim Campbell, Darci DeWolf, Kyle Edwards, Jasper Herr, Jennifer Jenkins, Chris Kamm, Diane Lanford, Jaana Matson, Barbara McGuire, Connie Molland, Vasanto Nechemias, Jim & Shirl Parmentier, Marty Poirier, Lois Simbach, and Michelle Wanat. This exhibition is curated by Flow partner, Connie Molland.

July 21 through Aug 27, 2022

“Bound/ Unbound: A Book Arts Show”

Opening Thursday, April 21st (5-8pm) and running through May 28th, Flow Gallery will be exhibiting the work of thirteen artists who are creating artworks in celebration of Earth Day. The opening reception for This Beautiful Earth coincides with Third Thursday Marshall.

Our planet, this place we call Earth, is amazing in so many ways. People living in western North Carolina often consider themselves fortunate to be surrounded by such beauty and grandeur every day. The mountains, farms, and waterways of this region provide a stunning backdrop to everyday life.

Many people who travel choose to go to places of physical beauty: oceans, mountains, scenic views.  Why is this? Why do we need to surround ourselves places of fresh air, inspiring scenery, and natural wonders? Why does a beautiful sunset inspire such awe?

And what will we do if these beautiful places are no longer available, or if they are devastated by drought, fire, flood? It’s happening - we hear horror stories about climate change every day. All of those warnings in futuristic science fiction movies confront us now with the challenges of daily life. Mother Nature and modern living are often at direct odds with each other. As artists, it is our privilege and responsibility to create artworks that bring attention to environmental issues as well as celebrate nature’s abundant beauty.

At Flow Gallery in Marshall, we choose to celebrate the Earth, and hope that it’s not too late to save it. For our annual Earth Day show, we asked our gallery artists to create work that shows our love for This Beautiful Earth. Thirteen artists have produced work in a variety of materials and styles including 2D and 3D art pieces. The artists included in this exhibition are Kristy Bogart, Joe Bruneau, Joanne Chan, Dagmar Haubold,  Wendy Kirkland, Bee Locke, Susan McChesney, Kari Morton, Pegi Pike, Barry Rhodes, Alyssa Sacora, Connie Toops, and Vasanto.

April 21 through May 28, 2022

“This Beautiful Earth”

Opening Thursday, April 21st (5-8pm) and running through May 28th, Flow Gallery will be exhibiting the work of thirteen artists who are creating artworks in celebration of Earth Day. The opening reception for This Beautiful Earth coincides with Third Thursday Marshall.

Our planet, this place we call Earth, is amazing in so many ways. People living in western North Carolina often consider themselves fortunate to be surrounded by such beauty and grandeur every day. The mountains, farms, and waterways of this region provide a stunning backdrop to everyday life.

Many people who travel choose to go to places of physical beauty: oceans, mountains, scenic views.  Why is this? Why do we need to surround ourselves places of fresh air, inspiring scenery, and natural wonders? Why does a beautiful sunset inspire such awe?

And what will we do if these beautiful places are no longer available, or if they are devastated by drought, fire, flood? It’s happening - we hear horror stories about climate change every day. All of those warnings in futuristic science fiction movies confront us now with the challenges of daily life. Mother Nature and modern living are often at direct odds with each other. As artists, it is our privilege and responsibility to create artworks that bring attention to environmental issues as well as celebrate nature’s abundant beauty.

At Flow Gallery in Marshall, we choose to celebrate the Earth, and hope that it’s not too late to save it. For our annual Earth Day show, we asked our gallery artists to create work that shows our love for This Beautiful Earth. Thirteen artists have produced work in a variety of materials and styles including 2D and 3D art pieces. The artists included in this exhibition are Kristy Bogart, Joe Bruneau, Joanne Chan, Dagmar Haubold,  Wendy Kirkland, Bee Locke, Susan McChesney, Kari Morton, Pegi Pike, Barry Rhodes, Alyssa Sacora, Connie Toops, and Vasanto.

October 1 through November 6, 2021

“Mirror Mirror: The Art of Reflection
An Exhibition of Mirror Makers

When we think of the many forms of art expression, we might consider sculpture, painting, pottery, quilting, jewelry, and more. But mirrors? Why not? Mirrors can be beautiful and expressive, too, and they can enhance the beauty of any home. Flow Gallery, located in historic downtown Marshall, announces the arrival of new work from eight accomplished mirror artists. The show, “Mirror Mirror: The Art of Reflection” opens Friday, October 1, and will run until Saturday, November 6, 2021. Light refreshments will be served at the opening reception on Friday, October 1st from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Masks are required inside the gallery at all times. Please check our website for any COVID updates.

“Over the years, we have had only a handful of mirrors available for sale in our shop. This show brings in a wide variety of mirrors to adorn your home,” said Connie Molland, a founding member of Flow and curator of Mirror Mirror. “Interior decorators claim that a mirror completes the appearance of a room, and I couldn’t agree more. As I look around my own home, there are several opportunities to upgrade from big box-purchased mirrors to artist-made mirrors,” continued Molland.

The eight mirror makers include four who are already consignors at Flow, four who are new to Flow, and one who is a returning artist. Current Flow artists are ceramicists Jim and Shirl Parmentier of Parmentier Pottery located in Mars Hill, and two woodworkers, Valerie Berlage of Lauraine Lillie Studio in Asheville, and Connie Molland of Rose Hollow Connections in Marshall. Invited artists include former Flow artist Marty Poirier of Nature’s Knots in Leicester, Blake Vaden of Vaden Custom in Asheville, Bob Wagner of Robert Wagner Woodworking in Greensboro, and Mike Stevenson Woodworking from Mars Hill.

There are many different styles featured, including traditional Arts and Crafts style, rustic barn wood or live edge style, bright and colorfully painted wood, contemporary style, and some lovely pottery frames with hand-carved leaves. “Mirrors reflect light and are practical but can also be a gorgeous accent piece in any room,” Molland added.

August 19 through September 25, 2021

“Figures, Fauna, and Fiends

The partners at Flow Gallery in Marshall are excited to announce the next special exhibit, Figures, Fauna, and Fiends, opening this Thursday, August 19th.  This show opening coincides with Third Thursdays Marshall and will continue in the shop until September 25. Participation in this show was by invitation and includes some of Flow's regular gallery artists, as well as visiting artists from outside the area.

The human figure has been a universal subject throughout art history in all media. Since the time of cave paintings, people have attempted to understand themselves by creating images to represent themselves. In choosing the title Figures, Fauna, and Fiends, the Flow partners realized the subject could encompass everything from a childhood doll to creatures in the natural world to imagined beings - both benevolent and terrifying. Figures emerge in dreams and nightmares and in mass media as imagined creatures from other realms and dimensions. Images of animals in their environment bring comfort and amusement. Images of humans inspire contemplation. All are included in this show, curated by Flow partner, Kari Morton. There will be both sculptures and wall pieces in a variety of mediums including paper, felt, wire, burlap, plastic, fabric, and clay. Some figures have articulated limbs, while others are covered in symbols and tokens.

Participating artists include Kerstin Davis, Anna Dlougolenskaia, Valerie Gilbert, Ann Hord-Heatherly, Dagmar Haubold, Lisa Joerling, Wendy Kirkland, Susan Lightcap, Frank Lombardo, Kari Morton, Tiffany Ownbey, and Lois Simbach.

June 11 through July 24, 2021

“Hidden and Revealed”

The original inspiration for the show began with thinking about masks, a prevailing factor in our lives right now. Masks have been used throughout history and in cultures around the world for many purposes: medical, ceremonial, protective, theatrical. Putting on a mask transforms the wearer into someone or something else, leaving others to ask - who or what is hidden behind the mask?  The owners at Flow began thinking about the underlying metaphors of the mask, which brought us to the theme -  Hidden and Revealed.

As artists and art appreciators ourselves, the Flow partners encourage exploration and experimentation among makers. We asked our gallery artists to consider what the theme means to them, and ways to hide and/or reveal within their artwork.  What’s hidden behind that little door? What’s tucked inside that pod? How are you feeling behind that veil? How can I reveal my true self? 

The resulting art work by Ruby Bock, Kerstin Davis, Beth Herdman, Vasanto Nechemias, Barry Rhodes, and Jude Stuecker, includes ceramics, fiber, painting, photography and mixed media.  Each of them stretched beyond their usual artwork to try something new and different.

April 22 through June 5, 2021

“Upcycled: Alterations & Adaptations”

Flow Gallery, located in historic downtown Marshall, announces the arrival of new work from twelve of the gallery’s current artists/makers. The exhibition, “Upcycled: alterations and adaptations” opened today, on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, 2021 and runs through Saturday, June 5.

Originally planned for spring of 2020, this exhibition had to be canceled at the beginning of the pandemic. This year, we invited our artists to consider the adaptations made in this Covid year, as many have had more time in their studios to experiment. “We urged the artists to rethink their usual ways of making, and to try something new. This concept is not a stretch for several of our consignors who already utilize found and used materials in their artwork.” says Lauren, one of the curators of Upcycled. “The idea inspired some new avenues of creativity and an appreciation for how we can all work together to solve our collective problems on this planet – through the powerful medium of art.” Flow partner and curator Ruby adds, “We are concerned about our environment, and giving materials a new purpose is a small act that helps us remember to reduce/recycle/reuse.” 

Participating in the exhibition are artists: Ruby Bock, Kristy Bogart, Valerie Berlage, Joanne Chan, Nancy Darrell, Jasper Herr, Connie Molland, Lauren Rutten, Janice Schmidt, Connie Toops, Cindy Walton, and Ken Wheeler.

October 2 through November 7, 2020

“Parallels & Intersections: Ruby Bock and Barry Rhodes”

In conjunction with American Craft Week, Flow Gallery welcomed autumn with Parallels & Intersections, an exhibit and sale of new works from local artists Ruby Bock and Barry Rhodes. The married artists live in the Sodom Laurel community of Madison County and have adjoining studios in a beautifully crafted building tucked into the woods on their property, an old tobacco farm. Barry has been making pottery for over forty years, originally learning his craft at Callanwolde Arts Center in Atlanta. Since moving to Madison County six years ago, Barry has been pleased to become a full-time potter. In joining Flow as a member/owner, Ruby too is excited to concentrate more fully on her artwork, which now centers on collages made of paper, fabric, stitchery, and found materials. They are happy for the opportunity to collaborate on several pieces in the show, combining hard clay with soft fibers.

For this exhibition, Ruby has made a series of flags, inspired by Tibetan prayer flags. Some of her flags refer to changing seasons in the mountains, and others are color studies. Most can be seen as mandalas, which like the prayers, try to focus on positive energy, which Ruby feels is much needed during this chaotic time. In his work for this show, Barry has been focusing on new organic forms with simpler, more painterly surfaces, allowing the glaze textures to be highlighted. Most of the pieces work as flower containers, but also stand on their own as works of art.

August 20 through September 19, 2020

“Wax On / Wax Off”

Wax On / Wax Off refers to the process of wax that is used in the various art forms represented in the exhibition, with some forms leaving wax in the finished piece of art and some removing the wax. It also refers to the repetition of design, movement, and layers within some work. The exhibit focused on the work of Cindy Walton, Amber Mahler, Linda Azar, Joanna White, Kerstin Davis, Julie Covington, and Kathy Goodson. Pottery, oil painting, silk painting, jewelry, and encaustic are the art genres represented.  Kathy Goodson, the curator of the exhibition, says, “I chose each artist for their use of wax somewhere in their process of creating.” Words like lost wax process, live casting, encaustic, cold wax, batik describe some of the various techniques on exhibit. 

July 24 through August 15, 2020

“10th Anniversary: Flow’s Members, Past and Present”

In June of 2010, eight local women came up with the idea of opening a retail shop to sell their art. In 2020, Flow celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a Member Show that included new work of the six current and six former members (aka owners). Each piece was made especially for this show to commemorate this accomplishment. Years after opening its doors in the quirky, quiet town of Marshall, NC, Flow Gallery is proud to be considered one of the reasons for Marshall’s resurgence. Honoring those member/owners who created Flow Gallery as well as those who continue to nurture it, Flow celebrated this milestone with a special Anniversary Exhibition.

Oct 4 through Nov 2, 2019

“Claiming Nature : new work by Emily Reason

“Claiming Nature” opens in conjunction with American Craft Week, a national movement to salute fine craft, which has declared Marshall a “Hidden Gem.” Emily Reason was one of the founding members of Flow in 2010. She subsequently left Marshall to pursue her Masters of Fine Art Degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Today she continues as an artist showing her work at Flow and the Clay Instructor in the Professional Crafts Program at Haywood Community College.

Emily Reason says this about her work, “I work with clay which is at once durable and fragile to reinforce the nature of memory and give it form. By throwing, rolling, stretching, pinching, and pressing this basic and responsive material, I create order and meaning.” Reason’s work is a mix of fine art and utilitarian pieces. She takes work that starts with a utilitarian form and elevates it to art such as her “White Pitcher 1”and the sculptural Tulip Pots. There is a beauty to Emily Reason’s work that compels the viewer to touch its smooth curves. “My quest for beauty is constant.”

Reason says, “By pouring love and labor into my work, I aim to bring authority to it and reinforce its impact. I create images meant to awaken memory through the sensations and associations they suggest.” In Flow, Reason’s “Tobacco Barn” is one of the most often admired and touched pieces. There is always delight and reverence in the voices as they discover the details of her pieces. Clearly barns of Madison County have left a strong visual memory with Emily.

Aug 15 through Sept 21, 2019 

“Form + Function : New works by Kerstin & John Davis

Form + Function by husband and wife team John and Kerstin Davis is the latest exhibition at Flow Gallery. The show, featuring John’s graceful, clean-lined furniture and functional wooden objects and Kerstin’s beautifully compelling, multi-media art forms, will run from August 15 to September 21.

Flow is overwhelmed by the wealth of talent and character that dwells within Madison County lines and continues to showcase that talent through art shows and openings. Kerstin and John were invited to present this joint show because they and their work exemplify that special spirit, inventiveness and charm that makes Marshall what it is, a confluence of old and new, practical and purely artistic, form and function.

John and Kerstin are the owners of the Marshall House Inn, which sits up on Hill St., overlooking the quaint town of Marshall and the beautiful French Broad River. They bought and renovated the inn in 2016. Their artistic style is evident in every corner of the big, gorgeous, 1920 home. Kerstin has a substantial background in creating and teaching art, holding a BA from the Savannah School of Design and an MA in teaching art from Western Carolina University. She’s an art teacher at Madison Middle School when she’s not creating her own art or helping John run the inn. John had a 30 plus year career in software development but has always had a passion for woodworking and history. He and Kerstin renovated other historic buildings before the Marshall House Inn. His modern, sleek furniture is a perfect complement to the interior spaces of the renovated old home. He currently works full time building furniture and running the inn.

June 7 through July 13, 2019

“Juxtaposed : Unexpected Relationships”

Juxtaposition is an act of placing two or more elements together in order to compare and contrast, or to show similarities and differences.

Marshall is experiencing its own juxtaposition as new folks are drawn to this historic community where many families have lived for generations. Much like our community that has brought together people from different places and begun to transform through those influences, this exhibition was an invitation for our artists to explore the concept of relationships through a marriage of materials and concept. 

“Like the Dada, Cubist and Surrealist artists of the 20th century, who used assemblage and collage as part of their art practices, the placement of varied materials and subjects can cause revelation simply through their proximity to one another. The influences of old/new, wood/metal, hard/soft, etc… disparate images, objects or materials placed side by side is one that can create friction, curiosity, resistance and expansion in unexpected ways.” shared Lauren Rutten, an owner of Flow and curator of the exhibit.

Included in the exhibition are artists working in a wide range of mediums including painting, mixed-media collage, ceramics, photography, fiber, sculpture, jewelry and wood. Flow is excited to include works by Ruby Bock, Kerstin Davis, Katie Graham, Dagmar Haubold, Selinde Lanier, Lisa Mandle, Pegi Pike, Lauren Rutten, Morgan Santander, Lois Simbach, Sandra Vasanto, David Westmeier, and Ken Wheeler. With this show, each artist is offered the opportunity to work in any medium or mix mediums as they see fit, interpreting the theme of juxtaposition in a way they felt called to explore.

Apr 19 through May 25, 2019

“Light ‘Em Up”

The seven lighting makers include fellow Flow member Kathy Goodson, whose silk painted lamps provide lovely color and a warm glow to any room, and two current consigners, Brian Leonard of Appalachian Ironworks who has made a queen size headboard that features subtle lights woven into the leaf patterns and potter David Westmeier, who is providing high fired porcelain Torchiere style lamps.  New artists to Flow are Madison County lamp makers Jim and Shirl Parmentier of Parmentier Pottery, glass artist and operations manager of the North Carolina Glass Center in the River Arts District in Asheville Kathryn Adams, custom lamp designer Leah Baker from Luminosa Lighting and Artists on Main in Weaverville, and woodworker Jason Greenfrom Boone, NC who makes cairn style wooden lamps that beg to be touched. “With this show, I really wanted to find variety in mediums but keep in line with Flow’s guiding principles of offering high-quality craftsmanship from local makers and I think we nailed it with this group!” said curator, Connie Molland.

December 14, 2018 to January 12, 2019

“Wild Awake : a collection of small spells”

Flow Gallery final 2018 exhibition presented “Wild Awake: a collection of small spells” by Abacus Corvus.  The show, which featured twelve one-of-a-kind, hand-painted and embroidered Giclee prints created by sisters, Jocelyn Mosser and Corina Dross, ran from December 14, 2018 to January 12, 2019.

Abacus Corvus is the collaborative love child of Corina Dross and Jocelyn (Jo) Mosser—artists, sisters, and close friends. They both enjoy many mediums, but Jo has a special affinity for painting and Corina for drawing.  In 2011, Jocelyn had a strange and fruitful idea: a calendar for the coming year called “2012: The Last Calendar You’ll Ever Need.” Every year since the first “last” calendar, Jocelyn and Corina have teamed up to make a limited-edition calendar for the next year. Rather than repeat what worked once, they begin each project with new questions and genuine curiosity about what will happen. While making their 2017 calendar, Corina and Jo decided to make a calendar of "small spells"—pairing images and words to serve as focal points for people to use to amplify their own healing and magic in the world. The 2019 calendar, Wild Awake, is the third calendar of small spells. Corina and Jocelyn both have a lifelong commitment to healing, and draw on the same sensitivities and attunement they use in their healing practices when they make art. This can lead to unusual creative habits, especially when working towards a print deadline, as they collaborate also with the unknown, listening to the current moment before striving ahead. 

October 5 to November 7, 2018

 “A Sense Of Place : Interpretations by Kari Morton and Lauren Rutten” featured nineteen photographs and five quilt wall hangings depicting life in Madison County.

Lauren spoke about her discovery of her sense of place when she and her husband, Andy, toured the United States in 2015 searching for a home. “From the moment I arrived in Marshall while on this journey, I had a sense of having dreamt of this place since childhood - I knew this was where I wanted to be.”  She says, “In this land I dig my hands in the earth and muddy my feet on the ground, while at the same time experiencing the transcendence of being and connecting to so much beyond my body. I hope those who view these photos might experience this too.”

Kari and her husband Mike, moved to Madison County in 2012 after having lived a fairly nomadic life in the Midwest. “This collection is inspired by my immediate world, the things I live with and the things I see, the garden in my front yard and the chickens in the back yard.”  Kari states, “The buildings in downtown Marshall, where I spend many hours working at Flow and serving as guardian ad litem in the county courthouse, are part of what I see. Each of my pieces tell a story of connection, to my community, to my world. I love sharing this part of myself with others.”

August 24 to September 29, 2018

Flow was thrilled to host the exhibit “Face to Face: A Portrait Collective” by Nan Sherry, which featured two dozen familiar Marshall faces.

Nan Sherry incorporates the spirit of community into this debut exhibit that represents her art as well as the story of how each of us ended up in Marshall. She describes Marshall as resilient, kind, without borders, and extremely artful. Many here call that magnetism the “Marshall vortex.”  Sherry says, Face to Face represents the spirit of some of our Marshall family and the thread that weaves through this vibrant place.” To see more of Nan Sherry's art, visit her website or follow Nan on Instagram. You can also read a recent feature story in the Citizen-Times.

April 20 - May 21, 2018

“TreeHuggers”

Trees will bloom in the forms of wire, wood, fiber, clay and canvas this April 20 when the “TreeHuggers” exhibit opens at Flow, a body and home adornment store in historic downtown Marshall. Flow was opened in 2010 by eight local women artists in search of a retail outlet to sell their work and the work of other artists living in Western North Carolina. “We asked the artists to challenge our perspective on trees and the roles they play in our lives,” says Flow co-owner Pegi Pike. “There are 22 artists and most are creating new work specifically for the show, which is what we hoped for.” Experience exquisite, carved clay sculptures by Nina Kawar, furniture that pushes the boundaries by Bucky Parker and Ken Wheeler, and ink and watercolor art by Jacqueline Maloney. A set of tree-inspired jewelry is even in the mix.