Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Mother's Day Gifts for Every Budget!

Mother's Day is coming up and for many that means stressing out over finding the perfect gift in your price range to show you mother how much you appreciate her. At Turning Point Gallery we've made your shopping easier! No gift is more thoughtful than a piece of art that will last a lifetime. Send your mother flowers that will never die, a flame that will never burn out, or just a pleasant piece of artwork to enjoy for years to come. We have something for every price range and we'll gladly gift wrap for free! Below is a sample of what we have to offer.

Under $30








Earrings by Wild Bryde

$30-$60













Ikebanas by Georgetown Pottery

$60-$100











Clay Tiles by Nancy Jacobsohn

$100-$200













UNC Belltower giclee by Gregory Georges

$200-$400












Clocks by Michael Mertes

For more gift ideas by price range visit our website.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Chapel Hill Artist Eduardo Lapetina

Turning Point Gallery's featured artist for April is Chapel Hill's Eduardo Lapetina. The 2ndFriday ArtWalk on April 10 was the artist reception and opening for this colorful show. Despite being Good Friday, almost 100 people came to the opening to view over 25 of Eduardo's newest paintings. Patrons young and old were drawn in by the vibrant colors and turbulent textures of Eduardo's works.

Eduardo was present at the show to greet old friends, talk about his pieces, and embrace any new purchasers of his work. His affable

spirit and genuine interest in everyone present was infectious and provided a wonderful atmosphere to view his work!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

3 New Artists for March


During the March 13, 2009 2ndFriday ArtWalk, Turning Point Gallery introduced three new artists. A poll of favorites was taken and all three artists had the same number of votes! The favorite piece by each artist is shown below with a short bio.

LinkMassachusetts' Mary Calkins has become a diverse painter over the years as her many abilities, interests and experiences have been used to build a broad repertoire of imagery and styles. Her work has more recently turned towards the current modern trends for contemporary design influenced by its strong clean lines, bold forms and saturated colors.


A self-taught artist, Gregory Garrett drew upon adventures and travel as inspiration for his expression. When asked about his major influences, Garrett feels affected by every artist he’s ever seen. Aware of his own unique place in time, he finds inspiration in contemporary living and working artists, and feels that now is the most important period in the history of art.


The symbolic shapes and colors of Eduardo Lapetina's paintings express his deepest emotions and passion for life. This leads him to apply paint to the canvas in unusual ways; by pouring, splashing, dripping, and scratching. The paintings also require layers upon layers of paint to create sensuous and turbulent surface texture that is as vital and as complicated as life itself. Eduardo moved to Chapel Hill in 1976.


Congratulations to Ronnie Graham for winning the drawing for a Bell Tower giclee by Chapel Hill photographer Gregory Georges! She answered 8 of 10 trivia questions correctly to be entered into the drawing. Trivia questions and correct answers are posted below.

UNC Basketball Trivia-

Q: What basketball head coach has the most victories at UNC? A: Dean Smith

Q: What position does Tyler Hansbrough play? A: Power Forward

Q: What was the most recent year the UNC Men’s Basketball team won the NCAA championship? A: 2005

Q: Who is the ACC Player of the Year this year? A: Ty Lawson

Q: What year did Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins lead the Tarheels to a NCAA championship? A: 1982

Art Trivia-

Q: Where were the earliest forms of paper produced? A: Egypt

Q: In what decade was the first photograph taken? A: 1820s

Q: How much was the confirmed most expensive painting ever sold, Jackson's Pollock's "Number 5, 1948" sold for? A: $140 Million

First photo by Joseph Niepce in France in 1826

Q: What colors do you mix to get blue? A: You can’t make blue. Blue is a primary color

Q: What is the form of art reproduction in which a digital image of the original is sprayed onto the canvas in archival inks with a high end printer? A: giclee

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Demos by NC Potter Sylvia Coppola a Hit

Charlotte area potter Sylvia Coppola of Duck Creek Pottery demonstrated handbuilding with clay at Turning Point Gallery for the 2ndFriday ArtWalk on February 13. Artwalk participants were able to watch her make textured tripod mugs, and a handbuilt vase. She used items such as drawer pulls, napkin rings, buttons, and textured rolling pins to create the unique pieces. People were then encouraged to go inside the gallery to see over 100 pieces in their finished form.

A majority of Sylvia's work is made on the wheel. On Saturday, February 14 she demonstrated wheel throwing and altering for a very appreciative, enthralled crowd. A group of Girl Scouts selling cookies nearby were lucky enough to have the opportunity to earn their clay badges working with a pro as well! Sylvia took a little break from throwing to show them the art of pinch pot making to help them earn their badge. All in all it was an exciting event which inspired those young and old to learn more about pottery making and buy a beautiful pot to enjoy!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Sylvia Coppola - North Carolina potter show opens Feb 13

Turning Point Gallery in Chapel Hill’s University Mall welcomes renowned North Carolina potter Sylvia Coppola, founder of Duck Creek Pottery, to the 2ndFriday ArtWalk Feb. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. and Feb. 14 from 10 to 1 p.m. Coppola, a potter of 32 years, will incorporate her love of texture from weaving and basket making into the art of pottery. She will demonstrate handbuilding Feb. 13 and wheel throwing Feb. 14.

Sylvia took her first pottery class at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee during the mid-1970s. During that time, she developed a love for clay. She earned a bachelor of fine arts in jewelry and pottery, then took an avid interest in weaving, basket making and pottery. Later she adapted the texture and design of basketry and weaving to her first love, pottery.

Today, Sylvia Coppola’s unique, constantly evolving style incorporates more complex textures, shapes, colors and forms. From car mats to buttons and napkin rings, she transforms everyday objects into tools that help her create exceptional, textured work. This method produces exciting, fresh pieces for collectors to enjoy.

Sylvia Coppola’s pottery creations have led to numerous awards, a vast number of collectors, publications in magazines and books, and the opportunity to teach at workshops and classes. Turning Point Gallery invites you to experience, firsthand, her talent for creating distinctive pieces of art from the earth.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Annual Holiday Roundup of Horse Art



Turning Point Gallery has rounded up more Ned Moulton wild horses to greet visitors to University Mall as they go to and from A Southern Season. The leader is 40" tall and dominates the scene. Most visitors are have seen Ned's racehorses in the gallery as well as in Lexington and in the clubhouses of major racetracks. Each one is an original and made in 3D out of plywood, acrylic and clear resin. The racehorses range in size from 40" down to 15" and entend anywhere from half an inch to 2.5 inches from the wall. Three and four are the most common starting races, but we have sold one or two and then every year more are added to a individual's collection.


Maeve Harris continues to develop her ideas and mixed media techniques using horses as her subject matter. Bringing more horses to the Turning Point Gallery roundup is Tanner Jensen.








The coil built clay sculptures of Nan Jacobsohn and the bronze sculptures of Wayne Salge are always a wonderful addition to the roundup as well.




Thursday, November 20, 2008

In Stone Time

University Mall is launching their first annual Scrapel Hill Art calling for artists to create art from recycled materials.

Following University Mall's lead, Turning Point Gallery recently added another Green artist, Michael Mertes.

Michael Mertes has created In Stone Time clocks from Indian or Chinese slate and wood with proud histories.

Slate is a metamorphic rock. It is the alteration of a preexisting rock (the parent rock) due to heat and pressure caused by burial in the earth. Therefor, slate is part of nature's recycling.

Trees produce wood which has been used to build structures. These structures in turn are often restored after many years of use and the replaced wood is made available for art. Both clocks pictured have extensive histories.






See In Stone Time clocks on Michael Mertes page at HarmonyFineArt.com