WS Chronicle

Local writers invited to be inspired by art

By Barbara Rizza Mellin

When I retired to Winston Salem about six years ago, I was attracted by the tagline, “City of Arts and Innovation,” and I have not
been disappointed.

Since then, I’ve tried to add my own art to the city’s atmosphere.

I will have my first solo exhibition, Art from SouthHouse Studio, at the Unleashed Arts Center Gallery, 204 West 6th Street, downtown Winston Salem, during the month of July.

This exhibit and related events combine many of my passions: painting, printmaking, teaching and writing.

Art from SouthHouse Studio will give visitors an opportunity to view two distinct art forms.

One wall of the gallery will display oil paintings and the other will feature prints done in a variety of techniques and processes.

To combine my love of art and writing, I invite all authors to stop by the gallery and select a piece of art to write either a poem or an essay (400 words or less) that is inspired by the art, then submit their writing via email to SouthHouseStudio@gmail.com by July 12.

On July 17, there will be an “Ekphrasis Evening of Poetry and Prose” inspired by art in the exhibit.

Selected works will be read at a reception at the Unleashed Gallery from 7 to 8:30 pm.

The public is cordially invited to attend and enjoy the art and readings.

The diverse cultures of the world have always been my inspiration for art and writing, and many of my paintings are inspired by travel.

I believe it is important to know our world – the whole world – and the people in it.

By experiencing other places and customs, we put our own life into context and gain a deeper appreciation of all lives.

Travel makes history and art, literature and architecture, real.

It helps us see the beauty of everyday life, everywhere.

There are paintings in this show of places I’ve been in Spain, Austria, China and Peru.

Printmaking allows me to explore creative possibilities.

I love the expressive line of dry point, the deep, rich textures of etchings, and the spontaneous abstraction of monotypes.

I create these prints using zinc, copper or acrylic plates on my home studio press.

I also love the bold impact of linocuts and woodblock prints, which I produce by hand, using a traditional baren.

I search antique shops for metal batik tjaps (Indonesian stamps) and wooden, fabric chops from India that I repurpose to add textural elements to the print designs.

I will be painting in the gallery most days, and happy to answer questions and discuss the artwork. Please come by and visit! And please come out for an “Ekphrasis Evening of Poetry and Prose” on July 17. A portion of all sales from the show will go to support arts and science in education.

Barbara Mellin is a juried member of the Associated Artists of Winston Salem, an exhibiting member of The Muddy River Art Association, the AFAS (Art for Art’s Sake) Group, Women Painters of the South East, Printmakers of North Carolina, and serves on the board of the Winston Salem Writers.

Her art is in the current Dimensions exhibit at the Milton Rhodes Art Center, and in several other juried exhibitions around the country, from Florida to Oregon. She recently received second place at the Cape Cod Art Association’s National Juried Show on exhibit this summer in Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.BarbaraRizzaMellin.com.