FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 9/3/10
Morgan Arts Council • Berkeley Springs, WV
www.macicehouse.org • 304-258-2300

Press contact only: Alison Carter -- 304-258-8430

ART WITH A NATURE-BENT IN BERKELEY SPRINGS

BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV ---- "All My Relations" opens at the Ice House 
Gallery on Friday, September 10 with an Artwalk that begins at 5pm. 
The opening reception for the show starts at 7:30pm. Featured nature 
photographer, Wil Hershberger is autographing his singing insect book 
with DVD at the opening. Curated by Alison Carter and produced by the 
Morgan Arts Council, the show hangs through November 7. Gallery hours 
are Friday through Sunday from 11am to 4pm.

The Artwalk includes a reception at Mountain Laurel Gallery from 5 to 
7:30pm.

Nearly 30 artists are showcased in the exhibit working in media 
ranging from the thumb nail paintings done in crushed flower petals by 
Sarah Bailey to metal sculpture, clay and glass. Sherwyn Zephier's 
graphic representations of the Native American Star Laws as 
interpreted by his brother, Lakota Chief Golden Eagle form the 
conceptual basis for "All My Relations." The ancient tradition of the 
Star Laws holds that seeing them awakens good practices like free 
will, choice and love At least half the artists in the show are 
doing work created specifically for it and using the Star Laws.

"I chose the simple, but profound, Lakota prayer and blessing -- 'All 
My Relations' as the theme for this show, as it reminds us that we are 
all in this life together," said Carter. "The Star Laws were gifted 
to me by Golden Eagle. He felt they must be shared to help in this 
difficult time."

Jack Veara is one of a dozen Morgan County artists included in the 
show. "All My Relations" marks the Ice House debut for his chain saw 
art including a unique turtle drum carved with Star Laws that he 
created especially for the show. After just over a year as a carver, 
Veara is unable to keep up with demand. "I started because a buddy 
wanted a bear," said Veara. "Then my wife found out that these things 
sell." Veara is self-taught and keeps his process simple. He uses 
two chain saws; one a standard, the other a carving. The wood is 
mostly local white pine or maybe occasional cedar. Veara saw carves 
the wood then burns it with a flame throwing blow torch. "There's no 
other way to get that charcoaled color," he said. The piece is then 
brushed and finished with log oil. "Occasionally I do a little 
sanding to sharpen a beak but mostly it's just the saw." Even then it 
may not be complete. "It doesn't become a real carving until I put 
the eyes in it." Veara's figures can live inside or out.

"All My Relations" is funded in part by the National Endowment for the 
Arts, West Virginia Commission on the Arts and hotel taxes from town 
and county. The Ice House is located at Independence and Mercer in 
downtown Berkeley Springs. For more information call 304-258-2300 or 
check online at www.macicehouse.org.