FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 3/23/09
Morgan Arts Council -- Berkeley Springs, WV
www.macicehouse.org • 304-258-2300
 
Press Contact only: Jane Ping -- 304-754-7558
 
ARTWALK LAUNCHES GALLERY SHOW AT ICE HOUSE


 
 
BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV ---- Scouring the world for outstanding samples, 
curator Jane Ping assembles scores of handmade artist books and papers 
in "Pictures and Pages," a special exhibit at the Ice House 
Gallery. The exhibit opens on Friday, April 3 with a reception at 
7:30pm. The opening is part of an Artwalk that includes a reception 
at Mountain Laurel Gallery beginning at 5pm. Produced by the Morgan 
Arts Council (MAC), the show is displayed through April 26.
 
Starting its second decade as one of the country's premier galleries 
of American arts and crafts, Mountain Laurel is located on the square 
in Berkeley Springs.
 
"Handmade paper and artist books are ancient art forms that have been 
rediscovered," says Ping, an interdisciplinary artist who finds the 
medium of paper fascinating . "I wanted to bring a truly 
international array of what I consider quality examples of this work. 
All of these forty artists are contemporary." The list of 
participating artists includes those representing Korea, Japan, India, 
Canada and the United Kingdom. Jan Heath and Michael Dennis are the 
local artists participating.
 
The forms the works take may surprise audiences unfamiliar with 
handmade paper and book art. Many are more than two dimensional and 
often integrate objects and media other than paper. Katherine Cox, a 
West Virginia artist from Huntington, leans towards the architectural, 
often shaping houses from her handmade kozo paper. Kerri Cushman's 
pages unfurling from the inside of an iron is indicative of the 
sculptural artist books for which she is known. Stacy Elko, a 
professor of art in Lubbock Texas, integrates her many years of living 
in Morocco into her printmaking and the artist books she constructs. 
Melissa Hackman who exhibits and teaches in the Washington metro area 
is well known for turning sketchbooks into fine art. Joyce Rickman 
of Montreal showcases work based in photography. Jeong Han Yun of San 
Francisco, California creates textured and colorful handmade paper.
 
"Patrons visiting Pictures and Pages get a bonus," says Mary Hott, 
Executive Director of MAC. "They will also be able to see the 
Smithsonian exhibition of New Harmonies, American Roots Music that is 
sharing the Ice House with this gallery show." Funding for special 
exhibit gallery shows at the Ice House is provided by the National 
Endowment for the Arts, West Virginia Commission on the Arts and hotel/ 
motel tax revenues from Morgan County and Bath.
 
The Ice House is located on Independence and Mercer in downtown 
Berkeley Springs. Gallery hours for seeing the show are Saturday and 
Sunday from 11am to 5pm. For more information on the Morgan Arts 
Council, call 304-258-2300 or check online atwww.berkeleysprings.com