Tanner Jensen: Horse Art Making Headlines

Turning Point Gallery's own horse artist Tanner Jensen has made a splash in the horse world as of late with two of her pieces featured on the cover of two different equestrian magazines in May!

Her first cover was the May 8, 2009 issue of The Chronicle of the Horse. The Chronicle of the Horse is written for the accomplished competitor. The magazine reports on nearly every major hunter/jumper horse show, dressage show, horse trials, steeplechase and driving event as well as foxhunting and events abroad. Regular features include in-depth profiles, valuable health care and training tips, all geared to the seriously involved competitor.

Tanner's second cover of the month was the May/June 2009 issue of Topline Ink Equestrian Journal. Topline Ink Equestrian Journal is an educational publication for dedicated dressage & sport horse riders interested in quality training for horse and rider. The magazine is an excellent resource for learning and pursuing goals.

We congratulate Tanner for her well deserved recognition in the horse world!

Our Newest Artist Additions!

Turning Point Gallery has recently added a new painting duo from Santa Fe, Newkirk & Griffin, and a new sculptor from Pittsboro, NC, Tamera Mulanix, to it's line up of fabulous artists! Check out their work and more information about them below!

Reita Newkirk and Alice Griffin are friends and lifelong artists who have combined their unique talents and backgrounds to produce collaborative paintings that exalt the natural world and one of its most glorious creatures - the horse. For them the horse is a metaphor that embraces the spirit of nature, a connection that touches the hearts and minds of many people, even those who have had little or no direct experience with this magnificent animal. The horse has always been a symbol that registers in the collective unconscious as freedom, strength and powerful beauty.

Newkirk and Griffin combine materials, which vary from encaustic to oil, to create luminous surfaces of color and depth that resonate with the themes in their work. Their paintings feature both representational and abstract elements that lend scale and establish an emotional resonance between the landscape and the horses.


Tamera Mulanix comes from a family of welders. Her grandfather, uncle and cousins are all welders and the process has fascinated her for as long as she can remember. She studied welding and blacksmithing at Central Carolina Community College, and continued learning on her own and taking classes to perfect her technique.

"It is so fulfilling to finally take my vision and make it come to life. There's nothing I enjoy more than taking a rusty piece of scrap metal and turning into something beautiful."

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.

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!

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.

Massachusetts' 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

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!

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.