The Nth Degree Gallery is displaying their most recent collection of art exclusively produced by eight of the artists – who currently hold or formerly held studios in the gallery – Friday for the Boone Art Crawl.
The title of the collection, “Where’s My Heater?”, is an inside joke between members and refers to the cold and unpleasant working environment that the studio members have produced their work in, said Josiah Cameron, a senior studio art major and featured artist.
“The purpose of the show is primarily to display our most recent work and to show the public that we are active and operating within the Nth as members,” he said.
Cameron has been a member of the Nth Gallery for over a year.
“The Nth helps to provide an alternative space that allows for artists to show their art,” he said. “For some of the artists who show at the Nth, it is their first opportunity to exhibit and organize their own show, which is an excellent learning opportunity.”
The Nth Degree Gallery has been showcasing work from the area for 15 years, thanks to the efforts of a small group of gallery members. About every month, the gallery unveils a new collection of local artwork made by students, alumni and other community members.
However, this exhibit will be different, since there will be no common theme, featured artist Jonathan Ryan said.
“All of our work varies greatly and you’d be pressed to find a theme running through the exhibit,” he said.
Ryan has been a member of the gallery since graduating from Appalachian State University in 2008.
The exhibit provides the working artists with an opportunity to showcase their own more recent, experimental work, as opposed to that of outside artists.
“This exhibit is one of the rare occasions where the public gets an inside peek at the Nth Gallery and studios,” Ryan said. “We spend much of our year exhibiting other artists. This month, we are showcasing ourselves.”
Cameron will show two portraits of fellow art students.
“Most recently, I have been experimenting with the use of abstract color and expressive brushwork in conjunction with portraiture,” Cameron said. “These two paintings are some of the first examples of this experimentation.”
The Nth Degree Gallery is located at 683 W. King St. The gallery will open at 7 p.m. on Friday as part of Art Crawl. Light refreshments will be provided.
Story: LOVEY COOPER, A&E Reporter