MCAR’s “Wine and Whiskers”

10/22/2022

LAST DAY TO BID! Wine & Whisker's - Art for Animals bidding ends tonight at 6pm.

Last year alone, we saw more than 1,000 animals pass through our doors. That’s almost one animal for every 15 people in Mitchell County!

10/21/2022

Only 2 days left to BID on the fabulous art in MCAR's Wine & Whiskers-Art for Animals. Shop for your Holiday gifts while helping animals in need.
https://www.mitchellcountyanimalrescue.org/wine-whiskers-art-auction

10/19/2022

4 days left to place your Bid!
https://www.mitchellcountyanimalrescue.org/wine-MCAR’s “Wine and Whiskers”

10/18/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022 Artist Feature: Sarah Vaughn

Sarah moved to Penland School of Crafts to be an Artist in Residence this fall, after receiving a degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and further studies through numerous workshop programs. She enjoys life in the mountains, where she spends time with her dog Albus while pursuing new veins of her work and fixing broken rocks.

Learn more about Sarah and her work at www.sarahvaughnglass.com or on Instagram:

Piette Battuto Post Earrings, fused and hand-engraved glass post earrings with sterling silver and a hypoallergenic backing.

LIVE NOW! MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding through October 22. Place your bid now.
https://auctions.networkforgood.com/auction_item_list.php?auction_id=1834&item_type=-1&sid=-1&f=-1&st=-1&q=&offset=0&count=12

10/18/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022 Artist Feature: John Hartom

John is a Yancey County artist & activist. He’s also a book artist, educator, and ceramicist. John, along with wife & artist Lisa Blackburn, founded the Empty Bowls project in the 90s, to raise money and awareness of food insecurity. Empty Bowls now has become an international project, personalized by artists and arts organizations on a community level around the globe.

Autumn Journal
Quarter case bound journal with paste painted covers, 8.5"x8.5"x1", archival paper.

Photo is of John with the beloved Tilly.

LIVE NOW! MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding through October 22. Place your bid now.
https://auctions.networkforgood.com/auction_item_list.php?auction_id=1834&item_type=-1&sid=-1&f=-1&st=-1&q=&offset=0&count=12

10/18/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022 Artist Feature: Stacey Lane

Stacey is a studio jeweler living in Bakersville, NC focusing on limited production and one-of-a-kind jewelry made with ethically sourced metal, and pearls and gemstones. Manager of Community Collaboration at Penland School of Craft.

Learn more about Stacey and her work on: www.staceylane.com

Pearl Earrings, 1” tall, sterling silver, white pearl. The earrings are made by bending and weaving wire & pearls.

LIVE NOW! MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding through October 22. Place your bid now.
https://auctions.networkforgood.com/auction_item_list.php?auction_id=1834&item_type=-1&sid=-1&f=-1&st=-1&q=&offset=0&count=12

10/18/2022

Lynne Hobaica is a mixed media artist living and working in Bakersville, NC. Her playful ceramics and textiles have been exhibited nationally & internationally and she’s participated in national and international residencies. She currently lives in WNC where she shares a home and studio with her partner, Rickie Barnett, and their sweet pup, Smokey. Through her ceramic objects with layers of narrative imagery built up on the surface, Lynne is able to share her stories and the stories that others have shared with her.

Candy Jar, handbuilt earthenware, size

LIVE NOW! MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding through October 22. Place your bid now.
https://auctions.networkforgood.com/auction_item_list.php?auction_id=1834&item_type=-1&sid=-1&f=-1&st=-1&q=&offset=0&count=12

10/18/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022 Artist Feature: Suzanne Pugh

Suzanne is a metalsmith, educator, part time WNC resident, and dog lover. She splits her time between NC and MA. Of her artwork, she’s “interested in material, metaphor, and narrative, which she explores through surface patterning, line drawing, and form—all in pursuit of works that balance a light touch on serious subjects.”

Learn more about Suzanne and her work at www.pughworks.com

X earrings, ¼” x ¼”, 18k gold, steel, sterling silver backs & posts
Photo is of Suzanne with her beloved Maybonne

MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding to take place October 17-22.

10/18/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022 Artist Feature: Julie Wiggins

Julie is a full time studio potter and educator living and working in Bakersville, North Carolina. She graduated from East Carolina University with a BFA in Ceramics. In Julie’s own words, she is an “artist, beauty hunter, animal enthusiast, nature lover… All things that make my heart sing!”
Inspired by the beautiful landscapes of living in North Carolina and her love of traveling she describes “each porcelain piece as a narrative representing the connections with people, nature, food and historical pots.”

Porcelain Mug with Inlay, wheel thrown, hand drawn inlay and carving, 3.5”x5”x4”

Learn more about Julie and her work at juliewigginspottery

LIVE NOW! MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding through October 22. Place your bid now.
https://auctions.networkforgood.com/auction_item_list.php?auction_id=1834&item_type=-1&sid=-1&f=-1&st=-1&q=&offset=0&count=12

10/18/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022 Artist Feature: Vicki Essig
Vicki Essig is a full-time artist living and working in the mountains of North Carolina. Her studio work includes weaving and book-making, collecting and observing. Her work is quiet, contemplative, and intentional. Although her background is in textiles, she has incorporated books and book elements into her work, blurring the lines between book arts and the handwoven. She teaches occasionally, is collected by a few, and enjoys making things always.
Title of Piece: "Postcard from the Mountains" Book
Description: Handbound mica book
Dimensions: 2" x 3" x 1”
Artist’s Website / Instagram: vickiessig.com /

LIVE NOW! MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding through October 22. Place your bid now.
https://auctions.networkforgood.com/auction_item_list.php?auction_id=1834&item_type=-1&sid=-1&f=-1&st=-1&q=&offset=0&count=12

10/18/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022 Artist Feature: Lisa Joerling
Lisa has been working full time in figurative clay and jewelry since the mid-1990s. She received a BFA in Studio Arts from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida in 1982. She began tending bar in Atlanta after graduation, thinking BFA meant Bartending for Atlantans. She began full time studio work in Folly Beach, SC in 1996.

Title of Piece: "Full House" Nothing brings a smile to a face faster than a happy critter. My JoY to make !
Description: Handbuilt Earthenware ,terra sigillata and colorants, 7" x 3.25" x 5"h
See more of Lisa’s work at www.joerlingstudio.com

LIVE NOW! MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding through October 22. Place your bid now.
https://auctions.networkforgood.com/auction_item_list.php?auction_id=1834&item_type=-1&sid=-1&f=-1&st=-1&q=&offset=0&count=12

10/18/2022

Lynn greatest love is her home in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain that she shares with two Basset Hounds and a Jack Russell mix. Lynn is donating three birdhouses in memory of her late husband and partner in all things, Gary Stam, who taught her everything she knows about wood working.

These post birdhouses are designed to go over a post or sit on a tree stump or deck railing. They come with a wood block to screw to stump or rail. All houses open on one side with the removal of one Phillips head screw or clasp for easy removal of old nests. Post houses are decorated front and back.

Spider House: 14" tall, 9” wide, 9"deep

Double Decker Daisy House: 20" tall, 7 wide, 11"deep,

Doghouse/Birdhouse: designed to hang on a wall or fence 10.5" tall x 9.5" wide

LIVE NOW! MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding through October 22. Place your bid now.
https://auctions.networkforgood.com/auction_item_list.php?auction_id=1834&item_type=-1&sid=-1&f=-1&st=-1&q=&offset=0&count=12

10/18/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022 Artist Feature: Robin Dreyer

Robin Dreyer is a photographer and the communications manager at Penland School of Craft. His photographs have appeared in magazines such as American Craft, Fiber Arts, Our State, WNC, and Garden and Gun, countless Penland publications, and books published by Lark Books and Time-Life Books. He has a piece in the collection of the Asheville Art Museum.

About the work…
This photograph was made at the top of Clingman’s Peak, near Mt. Mitchell. Working for a national environmental monitoring project, I make weekly collections of rainwater from a weather station that’s near those ice-covered radio towers.

Clingman’s Peak, December 22
11” x 14”, archival inkjet print, framed

LIVE NOW! MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding through October 22. Place your bid now.
https://auctions.networkforgood.com/auction_item_list.php?auction_id=1834&item_type=-1&sid=-1&f=-1&st=-1&q=&offset=0&count=12

10/17/2022

LIVE NOW! Wine & Whiskers-ART for ANIMALS. Click the link to check out all the cool art and place your BID!

For more than 10 years, Wine & Whiskers has raised much needed funds to help abused, neglected and unwanted animals find the forever homes they deserve.

10/17/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022, Artist Feature: Stormie Burns
Stormie Burns is a ceramic and cast glass artist. She moved to western North Carolina in 2015 to work as a studio assistant. In 2019, Stormie completed the two-year Core Fellowship program at Penland School of Craft. Stormie has completed residencies at Haystack School of Craft and Penland School of Craft. She lives in Bakersville, NC where she has established a full studio practice in a space tucked into the forest’s edge. When not in the studio Stormie can be found either in the garden or spending time with her cats, Charlie and Snacktime.

Learn more about Stormie and her work at www.stormieburns.com and on Instagram:

Vase: Slip cast black porcelain with white glaze, 9" x 3.5" x 3.5"

MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding to take place October 17-22.

Slip cast black porcelain with white glaze, 9" x 3.5" x 3.5"

Learn more about Stormie’s work at stormieburns.com and Instagram:

MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ ART FOR ANIMALS online auction is LIVE NOW.
https://auctions.networkforgood.com/auction_item_list.php?auction_id=1834&item_type=-1&sid=-1&f=-1&st=-1&q=&offset=12&count=12

10/17/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022 Artist Feature: Colin O’Reilly

Terrane Glass Co. was founded by Colin O’Reilly in 2015 after settling down in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Over the past several years it has grown into a small team of highly skilled artisans crafting timeless, elegant barware with glass sourced from local materials.

Learn more about Colin and his work at terraneglass.com

Topo Pitcher, 10”h x 4” lip, clear handblown glass with white cane

MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding to take place October 17-22.

10/15/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022, Artist Feature: Ellie Richards
SCULPTOR AND FURNITURE MAKER BASED IN PENLAND, NC.
As a furniture designer and sculptor, Ellie Richards is interested in the role the furniture and domestic objects play in creating opportunities for a deeper connection between people and their sense of place. Ellie looks to the tradition of both woodworking and the readymade to create eclectic assemblage, installation, and objects exploring intersections of labor, leisure, community, and culture. She has traveled extensively to investigate the role play and improvisation have on the artistic process. Her work, both furniture and sculpture, has been included in exhibitions at the Mint Museum; Center for Craft, Creativity, and Design; SOFA Chicago; and the Society of Contemporary Craft. Most recently Richards was awarded Windgate residencies at the Center for Art in Wood, and in the wood/furniture design programs at San Diego State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Learn more about Ellie and her work at www.ellie-richards.com and on Instagram:

UNRULY RULERS-ALL MEASUREMENTS ARE RELATIVE
Also pictured is Ellie with her “Puppy” Otis
MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding to take place October 17-22.

10/15/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022, Artist Feature: Sean O’Connell

Sean O’Connell is a full-time studio artist creating handmade pottery, wooden utensils, as well as paintings and other crafts for everyday use and enjoyment. Currently, Sean is a Long-Term Artist-In-Residence at the Penland School of Crafts in the mountains Western North Carolina.

Artist Statement: I believe in the beauty of handmade objects. I also value the constraints of each type media I work with. Creating by hand is a deliberate attempt at slowing down, connecting to something deeper, and taking time to appreciate the pleasure of labor. I use pattern as a means of exploring the nature of abstraction and my forms focus on creating a space for those patterns within the context of utility.

Learn more about Sean’s work at www.seanoconnellpottery.com and on Instagram; .pottery

Jar, 5x7x7” Wheel-thrown Stoneware clay, Slip, Glaze

MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding to take place October 17-22.

10/15/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022 Artist Feature: Terry Gess

“I once met a woman who looked like her cat. It was a subtle thing, but there was an unmistakable bond between pet and owner, some collaborative demeanor or design sense.
Potters and their pots are really no different. During the years of steadily making, marking, and firing pots, something distinctively myself has slipped into the process.
It’s a sensibility as intangible and basic to me as the way in which I hold the salt shaker when I tilt it to pour, how I turn the pages of a book, or how I kick my potters wheel.” – Terry Gess
Learn more about Terry and his work at www.TerryGessPottery.com

Tracks in the Snow
Red stoneware clay with multiple layered glazes, thrown and salt fired, 13.5” diameter x 1” high
MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding to take place October 17-22.

10/15/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022 Artist Feature: Jim Henkel

Jim is a long-time Penland instructor and Professor Emeritus from the University of MN.
He has received grants and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the McKnight Foundation, and the Bush Foundation and his work is in numerous collections including SFMOMA, The Whitney Museum of American Art, Walker Art Center, Mpls MN., Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Houston Museum of Fine Arts. He has exhibited at Tracey Morgan Gallery, Asheville NC, Pace McGill Gallery, NY. SFMOMA, Yancey Richardson Gallery, NY. Museum of Contemporary Art, Teheran Iran.
James Henkel lives and works in Asheville and Penland NC.

Learn more about Jim and his work at: jameshenkelstudio.com, insta v henkel studio

Arrangement #5, 20” x 16”, archial pigment print

MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding to take place October 17-22.

10/14/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022, Artist Feature: Brette Barclay Barron
Brette is a studio artist, with a primary focus in painting and drawing, and occasional forays into clay sculpture and mask making. She resides in Bakersville, NC with her husband, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 4 goats and 5 chickens.
Title of Piece: "Masquerade"
Description: Earthenware, metal, doll parts, glazes, oxides, upholstery tacks, rusted wire and bells; bust rests on clay-coated & fired metal "skirt" (2 pieces) Dimensions: 7.25" wide at base x 18” tall
Artist’s Website: HedgerowArts.com

Also pictured is Brette with her beloved Fionn.

MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding to take place October 17-22.

10/14/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022, Artist Feature: Andy Palmer

Artist Statement: The largest part of my career has been in education. I've taught in the public school from kindergarten through twelfth grade for 17 years, at Cornell University for 16 years, and now at the local Community College for the last two years. Nothing makes you know your craft better than having to explain it, demonstrate it, and justify it to people. So, classes and workshops are really some of my favorite things to do.

Andy has 3 different offerings in our auction:

1. Electric fired small water pitcher, 6”x4.25”x7”
2. Gas fired small bowl, 3.25”x4. 5”x4.5”
3. Gas fired ice-cream bowls, 2”x5”x5”

Learn more about Peter’s work www.intandemgallery.com/andy-palmer and Instagram:
Andy’s work can be seen locally at In Tandem Gallery in Bakersville.

MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding to take place October 17-22.

10/14/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022, Artist Feature: Peter Karner

Peter Karner’s home and studio are located in central Denver, Colorado. Working full-time, I produce six bodies of work a year. Each body of work offers me the opportunity to explore new ideas and refine existing ones. I’m intrigued by the marriage of form and decoration. In striving to integrate these in each pot, I have the opportunity to create work that is both timeless and modern.

About the work…

Wax resist, latex, dipping, and brushwork--are applied to bisque pots. The pots are then high-fired in a heavy reduction atmosphere with the intent of trapping carbon in the base glaze.

Vase 9”x5.5”

Learn more about Peter’s work at www.peterkarnerpottery.com and Instagram:
peter_karner_pottery
Peter’s work can be seen locally at In Tandem Gallery in Bakersville.

MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding to take place October 17-22.

10/14/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022, Artist Feature: Kenny Pieper

Kenny Pieper was born in Birmingham, Alabama and raised in the mountains of North Carolina. He began his craft career in high school when he studied at the Penland School of Crafts. Initially, he studied pottery with Norm Schulman and Cynthia Bringle. Later, he found his passion for glass under the tutelage of Richard Ritter. After high school, Kenny moved to Detroit in 1978 under scholarship at the Center for Creative Studies; he subsequently received his B.F.A. from California College of Art and Design, Oakland, CA. he then spent 16 years working as a glassblower in the San Francisco East Bay area. Kenny’s career came full circle when he left California and moved back to North Carolina. While constructing a studio there, He worked at Penland School and managed the glassblowing and lampworking studios. It was during this fruitful time that he developed his expertise in the tradition of Italian glass. Kenny now resides in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. Reflecting the harmony and beauty of his surroundings, Kenny produces an exquisite line of glass vessels and sculpture. He has work in the collections of Corning Museum of Glass, Museum of Fine Art Boston, New Bedford Museum of Glass, Asheville Art Museum, New Orleans Museum of Art, Hickory Museum of Art, as well as many private collections.

Bubble glass candy dish, 5.25 x 2.75”

Learn more about Kenny’s work at www.pieperglass.com and Instagram:

MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding to take place October 17-22.

10/13/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022, Artist Feature: Andrew Meers

Andrew Meers is a bladesmith and metalsmith Andrew received his BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston MA and his MFA from Southern Illinois Carbondale. Andrew earned his Mastersmith rating from the American Bladesmithing Society, and is a recipient of the B.R hughes award. Andrew is a former artist in residence at The National Ornamental Metals Museum, Memphis TN, and a Former Artist in Residence at Penland School of Crafts Andrew has been an instructor at Penland , New England School of Metalwork, and Touchstone Center for Crafts.
Utility Knife, Stainless CPM 154, with Black Micarta handle and kydex sheath, 10.5”x3/4x1.5”

Learn more about Andrew’s work at https://www.andrewmeersstudio.com and Instagram: .meers

MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding to take place October 17-22.
Also pictured is Andrew with his buddies Shibu and Effie.

10/13/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022, Artist Feature: Meghan Martin

Meghan’s creative work varies, and she draws inspiration from nature and her work as a gardener. She enjoys creating both functional objects and sculptural pieces that delicately reference time, erosion, rock formations and other geologic phenomena.
Meghan loves animals and has two Buff Orpington chickens: Nacho and Velveeta, and two grey cats: Shibu and Effie.

Forged and formed steel scoop with stainless rivets food safe finish for human food or pet food, 7 x 3 inches

Learn more about Meghan’s work at www.meghan-martin.com

MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding to take place October 17-22.

10/13/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022 Artist Feature: Dana Moore

Dana is a studio artist in Spruce Pine, NC, whose greatest loves are animals and art. Dana’s offering for Wine & Whiskers is a commissioned miniature oil painting of your pet.

See more of Dana’s work on Instagram:

A special shout-out to MCAR’s remarkable staff for all the animals you keep in your hearts!

Here are a few examples of Dana’s work, portraits of MCAR shelter animals. Each one is 3.5” square, on wood panel or synthetic ivory.

MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding to take place October 17-22.

Also pictured is a photo of Dana with her cats Bunny and Felix.

10/12/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022, Artist Feature: Teresa Pietsch

Teresa’s work connects both the functional and the decorative, seeking to make pots that people want to touch, hold, and use. Finding inspiration from flowers, plants and trees, her pots reflect ideas that are centered in life, growth, and experience.
See more of Teresa’s work on Instagram: and www.teresapietsch.com

Teresa has donated this beautiful Flower Bottle Vase 7.5 h x 5 w x 3” d to MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding to take place October 17-22.

Also pictured is Teresa with her handsome Burnese mountain dogs, Waldo and Emerson.

10/12/2022

Wine & Whiskers “Art for Animals” 2022, Artist Feature: John Geci

Artist Statement: “Working with glass is an all-encompassing process. It requires precise timing, subtle understanding of the material, tools, furnaces, and space around them. Each piece I make captures my focused time and thoughts. Glass is often described as a frozen super-cooled liquid. I prefer to think of it as static motion. With my work I try to have each form serve as a canvas to display the inherent beauty and simple elegance of the glass.”

See more of John’s work on Instagram: and www.jgeciglass.com

John has donated this beautiful handblown Eclipse Bowl 8.25 x 6.75 x 3.75” to
MCAR’s Wine & Whiskers’ online auction with bidding to take place October 17-22.

Also pictured is John with his MCAR adopted puppy, Greta and in his studio showroom with wife, Courtney Martin, and MCAR adopted pooch, Carrot.