I was saddened to learn that the “Wedding Tree” at the Country Club of the Crystal Coast on Bogue Sound was lost during Hurricane Irene. I painted the tree in honor of my daughter’s wedding in April, as well as for others who also hold a special place in their heart for this majestic landmark.
For anyone who is interested, an original painting (below), as well as prints in various sizes are available through Arts & Things Gallery.
“The Wedding Tree” 24″ x 36″ Acrylic on Canvas – Original and Prints
AVAILABLE:
Arts & Things Gallery
704 Evans Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 240-1979
Fax (252) 808-3168
Email: artsnthings@bizec.rr.com
On the journey back from its summer season in New England, SeaFair- America’s Megayacht Venue- will be stopping in Morehead City, North Carolina to participate in the 25th Anniversary of the North Carolina Seafood Festival which was recently voted the best event in the Southeast. SeaFair will partner with the Arts Council of Carteret County, Downtown Morehead City Revitalization Association and the NC Seafood Festival organizers to present an exhibition of unique works from North Carolina artists as well as internationally renowned artists. A jury of art collectors, museum professionals and artists will select among the submissions to select the best artists to be represented aboard.
The 25th North Carolina Seafood Festival officially opens with a private preview on Thursday evening September 29th aboard SeaFair docked at Portside Marina.
SeaFair will host “ArtSplendor on SeaFair, A Fine Art Show & Sale” in the exhibition salons during the festival, a juried art exhibition sponsored by the Arts Council of Carteret County. Eighteen of the twenty eight gallery salons will be devoted to this juried exhibition of outstanding artists of North Carolina and the Southeast.
Sharon Kearns has been selected to exhibit in one of the ArtSpendor Galleries. She will display several new works for this special fine art show and sale.
In addition to the bevy of artworks onboard, the three-day festival will bring special artist demonstrations. Admission is $ 10 per person, $ 5 for children under 10 years old and Priority Boarding tickets $15. Separate Sky deck access for the Saturday fireworks display – limited tickets available for $15. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.expoships.com. SeaFair will be centrally located in full view of the N.C. Seafood Festival’s firework display on Saturday night. SeaFair’s Sky Deck – rising 60 feet above the water – is always a spectacular platform to view waterside fireworks events.
In the evening, attendees can enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views from the sky deck paired with live music and unique seafood selections. The Sky Deck bar will present a wide selection of beers, a unique selection of wines as well as lively performances by Flair bartenders.
The Arts Council of Carteret County will hold “Art & Jazz at Sunset,” a cocktail party and private viewing of the exhibition on Sunday, October 2nd from 6:30-10pm. Tickets are $75 per person. This fundraiser will benefit the arts council (a 501(c) 3 non profit organization) and will feature full access to the yacht and all art galleries, fine hors d’oeuvres prepared by a popular local caterer, open bars and live vocal and keyboard jazz by world renowned performer Grenoldo Frazier. For more information: Visit ACCC’s website at www.artscouncilcarteret.org, email artscarteret@yahoo.com or call 252.659.0253. Tickets are limited, and must be purchased by Sept. 22.
ABOUT SEAFAIR
SeaFair is the world’s first mobile megayacht venue and one of the largest private yachts in the United States. Groundbreaking in scale, ingenuity and style, the innovative exhibition facility – which remains dockside during each event – pairs international fine art, jewelry and collectables with harbor view dining and special events in cities along the eastern seaboard.
The ship boasts three decks of international galleries, two outdoor bars, an international coffee bar, as well as a formal glass-walled restaurant and an open-air bistro on the Sky Deck.
The $40M purpose built exhibition yacht was designed by internationally acclaimed yacht designer Luiz de Basto. At 228 feet and 2,800 international tons, it is one of the largest ships built
for commercial operation in the Intracoastal Waterway and requires a draft of only 6.5 feet, allowing it to dock at yacht facilities in central city locations rather than use commercial ports.
Learn more about SeaFair on CNBC!
SeaFair is owned and operated by International Fine Art Expositions (IFAE). IFAE Principals, David and Lee Ann Lester have been in the art fair industry for over 20 years and have organized over 70 international art fairs in art capitals around the world including New York, Chicago, Hong Kong, and London. IFAE has pioneered the Florida market establishing the American International Fine Art Fair (AIFAF) in 1997, now the premiere fine art fair in America, and Art Palm Beach in 1998, one of Florida’s most celebrated contemporary fairs. In addition, the firm founded Miami Florida’s original international art fair, Art Miami, in 1991. In 2011, IFAE launched two of the most successful fairs inaugurated that year, Naples International Art & Antique Fair (NIAAF) and Art Naples.
SeaFair will be docked at Portside Marina, 209 Arendell Street, Morehead City. The ship will be open Friday, September 30th from noon – 10pm, Saturday, October 1st from 10am – 10pm, and Sunday, October 2nd from 11am – 5pm. Dinner service in the glass walled dining room overlooking the harbor will be available by reservation. Lunch and full bar service will be served on the Sky Deck 360 Bar and Luxe Lounge on the second outside deck. For more information on SeaFair and to acquire advance tickets, please visit www.expoships.com.
For more information on the “Art Splendor” exhibition and for ticket information about the “Art & Jazz at Sunset” cocktail party please contact the Arts Council of Carteret County, www.artscouncilcarteret.org/.
“Three Sisters” 24″ x 36″ Acrylic on Canvas, Framed
When I think of Swansboro, N.C., one of the first images my mind conjures up is the view of the three shrimp boats docked at Clyde Phillips Seafood Market. I am sure I am not alone with this thought. The three sisters are local icons – a lovely and unique sight to behold!
I have a burning question in life. I wonder who decided and why they decided to paint the rigging red on these glorious ships. The rigging makes these ships so very striking and distinct.
When these ships leave the comfort of their Swansboro harbor for fishing in distant waters, they must be immediately recognizable to other fishing vessels and crew.
Is it a branding? – a way of saying “Hello fellow fisherman! We are here!”?
Perhaps the red rigging illuminates like a beacon in fog and storm and provides an added measure of safety.
Or, maybe the answer is quite simple as someone recently suggested as we pondered the question, “What if there was a sale on red paint and that alone was the deciding factor;-) ? After all, we supposed those things happen, too!
What if the decision to paint the rigging red was simply a design choice because red was a favorite color? That is certainly why my husband’s bike is red, along with his helmet, jersey, socks, water bottle and anything else he can make red. Of course, he did go to NCSU.
The walls in my den are red, but I am not a red fanatic. (And no, there was not a sale on red paint, nor did I attend NCSU.) Red just happens to be the color chosen to warmly accentuate my favorite color, green… and the accompanying deep green leather furniture.
I am certain of one thing. I have to believe there is a great story about the Swansboro shrimp boats’ red rigging. If anyone knows, or should find out, please let me know!
The Front Line is a view of some of the fishing boats along the Morehead City waterfront. When I see them from the waterfront, they give me a sense of a brave and high-spirited fleet – dashing and gallant warriors of the adventurous sea.
For me, this resonates all the more. I do not like to be at sea in anything less than a gigantic vessel. (Of course, the Titanic certainly had her share of problems, too! But at least you did not have to endure endless hours of roller-coastering from point A to point B, while buckets of water are being thrown at you from all sides amidst lightning bolt side-shows!)
My brushes with “Mother Nature’s” wrath on the open waters have given me great respect for life jackets and for those who spend their livelihoods on the ocean. I imagine that it is not an easy life. I imagine the toils, tribulations, mountainous swells and stormy seas while trying to perform the simplest, as well as the more complicated of tasks. My imagination falls short of an inconceivable reality.
Certainly there is a flip side that affords the brave and daring a certain freedom – a freedom to roam, explore, experience - in a manner few can. I imagine sun-kissed days, glorious sunrises and sunsets, flying fish skimming the tops of sparkling waves, icy storages filled to the hilt with bounty, and an awaiting beer among buddies while tales of tall adventures are shared.
These – majestic vessels and her courageous souls - forever retain an honorable slip in “The Front Line.”
Soon Available: Arts & Things Gallery, Morehead City, N.C.
Good Morning 24″ x 36″Acrylic on Gallery-Wrapped Canvas
Fascinating light and shadows peaked my interest on the waterfront behind Tony’s Restaurant on the Morehead City Waterfront one morning some months ago.
First day’s light emerges strikingly through an opening in the sleepy, morning clouds – filled with blues and turquoises from the evening’s slumber. Bright white light beams down to the sailboat, illuminating it and making it glow as the new day awakens. The sunlight radiates all the way through the railing, bikes… to the windows and wall. The light is so intense that it bounces off the windows and wall with an incandescent glow that further illuminates and creates additional shadows on the facing railing where the sailboat is docked.
The scene was indeed a mesmerizing view to behold…
Webster’s Dictionary sites a fitting definition for the word, “glow” - “to experience a feeling of well-being or satisfaction.”
So yes…. it was indeed a “good morning!” on the waterfront!
Available: Arts & Things Gallery, Morehead City, North Carolina
Favorite place? Special scene? Beloved photograph? – Click ART COMMISSIONS in the top menu for more information as well as examples of commissioned work.
"Today's Catch" 2010 North Carolina Seafood Festival poster by Sharon Kearns can be purchased by calling the North Carolina Seafood Festival office: 252-726-6273 or visiting www.ncseafoodfestival.org
"Today's Catch" was voted the 2010 Best Festival Poster at Carolina ShowFest 2011!
