With gallery closings on the rise, we’re especially pleased to announce a reopening. Hidell Brooks Gallery, which closed its doors back in November of 2012 to renovate and expand its quarters, is back in the game with three distinct exhibition spaces and more storage space. The new floorplan is credited to Lindsay Smith — who also designed the gallery back in 1998 — of Dimcheff Smith Studio. To celebrate, Hidell Brooks will be having a reception for its 15 Year Anniversary Group. The exhibit will showcase artwork by 34 different artists of varying styles and mediums. They include works by artist Sherrie Wolf, who combines detailed still lifes with a backdrop of whimsical landscapes, portraiture and scenery; Selena Beaudry, who uses cut-up pieces of painted paper to intricately layer her colorful, funky compositions; and Miranda Lake, who uses wax and collage to create psychedelic nature displays. Katherine Ace, Philip Geiger, Johan Hagaman, David Kroll, Rana Raochet, Amanda Talley, and many others will also be sharing.
Free admission
It's no big surprise that Vicki Sawyer grew up with a family that loved nature or that it rubbed off on the Tennessee-based artist, who frequently paints portraits of animals and surrounding aspects of the wilderness. Her acrylic works are realistic, yet somewhat unnatural in appearance. Having worked closely with painting birds, Sawyer deviates by painting on accessories like hats and masks to her feathered and/or furry subjects. Her latest exhibit at Lark & Key features paintings like these, in addition to others — some of which include a sheep with an assortment of birds nesting in its fur and a child clothed in vines with a bird sitting on his shoulders. It's all just too cute to be true. With pottery by Paula Smith. Opening reception on April 5, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Free admission
Just because you live in NoDa doesn’t mean you support the arts scene. That’s because to really support the Carolina arts scene you’d have to venture outside of the Q.C. to spot the works of other artists who are doing things with canvas, ceramics or whatever other mediums they fancy. That’s where the folks behind Carolina’s Got Art comes in. Created in 2009 by Elder Gallery owner Larry Elder, CGA rounds up artists, both professional and non, from North and South Carolina for a competition and exhibition that brings their works into the public eye — and to Charlotte, where they showcase at Elder Gallery. This year, more than 1,000 artists submitted 2,800 different pieces of work, which is more than the gallery has room for. Not to worry, the entries are all being shown in three different exhibitions of work. The juried portion of the exhibition opens on May 3 with an awards presentation. This specific exhibit concludes on June 1 and will be followed by two more, June 7-29 and July 5-27. For more information, visit www.carolinasgotart.com. Free admission. Opening and award presentation on May 3, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Juried exhibit continues through June 1.
Free admission