MISENHEIMER ó Pfeiffer University’s Joshua Cross, assistant professor of art and director of the Grace and Cameron West Art Gallery on the Pfeiffer campus, sent a call for artwork to a number of young visual artists across neighboring states. The result is the university’s first regional emerging artists exhibition, a juried show, on display now until Oct. 28.
An artist reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 23 in the Grace and Cameron West Art Gallery in Goode Hall on the Misenheimer campus. The event is free and open to the public.
After receiving approximately 35 submissions from 11 artists, three jurors narrowed the works down to the existing show that is now on display. Professional visual artists: Joshua Cross, Jenn Selby, adjunct professor of art at Pfeiffer, and Frank Selby of Salisbury served as jurors for the exhibition.
Three artists were awarded for their pieces by the jurors. Best of Show went to Trey Gossett of Smithville, Tenn., for his wooden sculpture titled “Bridged Connections.
The second place award went to Everitt Clark of Fairfax, Va., for his photograph titled “Roots, Trash, and Stream,” and Heidi Ramseur, a senior art and communications major at Pfeiffer, won third place for her mixed media piece titled “HERA.”
A solo exhibit of Gossett s work will be on display at Pfeiffer during the 2010-2011 gallery season. Clark and Ramseur will share an exhibit in the upcoming season as well.
For more information, call 704-463-3160 or contact joshua.cross@pfeiffer.edu.
Creative writing101
A three-part class in creative writing will be taught 6:30-9 p.m. on three consecutive Tuesdays, Oct. 27, Nov. 3 and 10, at Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St.
Instructor for the class is author and professional speaker Diannia Baty. The cost of the course is $50.
To register and for more information, call 704-209-6430.
Polka Party
Oktoberfest comes to the black box theater at Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St. from 7-9 p.m. on Oct. 30, with a polka party featuring Salisbury’s own Polka Dots Polka Band.
While listening to the German Oktoberfest and Czech Hody (Harvest Dance) music, guests can enjoy eating free pretzels. Brats with sauerkraut and mustard and beverages will be available for purchase.
The Polka Dots were formed by Lorna Brown who plays accordion, and tuba player Foster Owen after the two of them played German polkas together at a party. Soon they were joined by Dr. John Cave on clarinet, along with his wife, Anne Cave, who provided guitar and vocals. Next cornet player George Hill came on board. Lastly, Dr. Steve Etters became the sixth band member, playing euphonium.
Some of the well-known songs to be played will be the Lichtenstein Polka, In Munchen steht ein Hofbrahaus, the Pennsylvania Polka, the Beer Barrel Polka, the Too Fat Polka, Eidelweiss and The Chicken Dance.
The band also plays original Czech polka arrangements copyrighted from the early 1900s. Lorna will play some traditional German Alps polkas and waltzes on her accordion, Anne will sing in German, and guest musicians will add flair to the evening with their specialty songs.
For those who can’t dance the polka or waltz, but would like to learn, Donna Cesario, of Donna’s Dancers, will be there to help show you how it’s done.
The Polka Dots just finished an engagement with the Brewmasters of the Carolinas in Charlotte at the Metrolina Expo, the Waldhorn German Restaurant in Pineville and Historic Salisbury’s October Tour. The Polka Dots have played for the Rowan County Concert Association, Waterworks, the Salisbury Symphony Guild, the Salisbury Parks and Recreation Dept. and countless other civic and private organizations.
Tickets are available for $10 at the following locations: The Rowan Visitor’s Bureau, The Literary Book Post, The Innes Street Drug Co./Ketner Center, TAJ Salon, and A Step In Time. Tickets not sold by that evening, will be available at the door.
For more information, visit www.polkadotsband.com.
Gingerbread contestASHEVILLE ó The 17th annual National Gingerbread House Competition is taking place once again at The Grove Park Inn in Asheville.
Judging by a professional panel takes place across four categories: Adult (18 and older), Teen (13-17), Youth (9-12) and Child (5-8). Entries are judged on appearance, originality/creativity, difficulty, precision and consistency of theme.
Except for the base, the entries must be constructed entirely of edible materials. The maximum size of gingerbread houses in the competition cannot exceed two feet wide, two feet long and two feet high.
Contestants may deliver their entries starting Nov. 15, from 2-8 p.m. and again on Nov. 16, from 7-8:30 a.m. The judging begins on Nov. 16, with the awards presented that day at 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Entries will be on display at Grove Park from Nov. 18 to Jan. 3. The public is invited to view the displays any Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Guests at the resort and those dining at one of the restaurants may view the displays at any time. Additionally, a group of entries will be placed on display at the Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville.
The National Gingerbread House Competition awards more than $12,000 in cash and prizes. For more information, call 800-438-5800 or 828-252.-711 or visit www.groveparkinn.com.
PPTSet ConstructionSet Construction for the musical “Kudzu” will be at the Meroney Theatre this Saturday from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. ń 5 p.m. All skill levels are needed. Lunch will be provided on Saturday. Enter through the backstage door.
Call 704-633-5471 for more information.