If you love landscape paintings, then a visit to the Hunter Museum needs to be on your summer bucket list! The Hunter’s current special exhibition, “In Nature’s Studio: Two Centuries of American Landscape Painting” showcases over 65 breathtaking landscapes from artistic movements that influenced American painters. Organized by the Reading Public Museum and generously sponsored by the Southeastern Trust Company, “In Nature’s Studio” explores how the American landscape transformed over two centuries through movements such as the Hudson River School, Impressionism, Tonalism, and Modernism.

And that’s not all! Find landscapes from our permanent collection on the third floor of the Hunter’s historic mansion. Recently reinstalled this year for the first time since 2005, the permanent collection’s landscape gallery features works from the Hudson River School - including some of the same internationally-renowned artists featured in “In Nature’s Studio!”

With familiar favorites alongside works newly on view, the landscape paintings in the Hunter mansion have been reinterpreted through a modern lens. This is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to see treasured works that have been resting in our archives!

In the 19th century, the American landscape became a symbol of growth, paving the way for the first major American art movement - the Hudson River School. These intrepid artists sought to instill deeper meaning in their paintings. Without the benefit of modern technology or transportation, they ventured deep into the wilderness to capture the sublime beauty of nature.

These landscapes left 19th century audiences in awe, cultivating national pride and the desire for conservation amidst rapid industrialization, which helped spur the founding of America’s National Park System. By featuring this collection, we encourage viewers to make their own connections with our local environment, with Tennessee being the home of 12 nationally designated parks and historical sites!

There’s a scenic outlook for everyone at the Hunter Museum, so plan your visit today at huntermuseum.org!
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by Hannah Brawley

Pamela Wilson is the Mountain Mirror’s March Artist of the Month.

“The nest, the birds and the abundance of natural settings on Lookout inspires my nature paintings. Lookout is where I became an avid bird watcher (guess that makes me old). I love finding and painting nests of bird families - their safe nest homes right in the middle of our safe homes. I love the gathering of bird friends solving all the worlds problems - just like my neighbors and I do,” Pamela says.

“Before delving into the painting world I was a professional photographer, mostly photographing children in natural settings. Along with my photography, my experience in advertising agencies producing print and broadcast ads gave me insight into lighting and composition, which I bring to my paintings.      

My love for painting in oil is technically strengthened by my participation in regional art classes,” Pamela explains.
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A native of Lookout Mountain, Tenn., and a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Pamela is now an empty-nester after raising five children. Her business venture, Art and Soul, allows her to showcase multiple Southern artists’ works along with her own work in bi-annual local art shows. You are invited to come to the upcoming Art and Soul show on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 543 Clingmans Lane, Chattanooga, from 12-8 p.m.

Last year’s Hunter Underground/Above Ground (HUG/AG) was surreal, but this year it will be “out-of-this-world!” A chic cocktail party and silent art auction aimed at introducing collectors and art supporters to the museum, HUG/AG plays a pivotal role in cultivating the next generation of museum patrons. Chaired this year by Casey Yoshida and vice chair Amy Walters, HUG/AG will take place on Friday, March 24, and will feature a silent art auction with incredible works from local and regional galleries, the unique “Art Heist Gallery,” and a dance party after the auction.

Inspired by retro futurism, HUG/AG will transport guests to “a tomorrow that never was” through art installations, ambient sounds and lights that marry nostalgia and science.

Back by popular demand, the Art Heist Gallery is one of the most unique aspects of the event. Every 30 minutes, all eyes turn to the Heist Gallery to watch Heist ticket purchasers charge into the gallery to claim a work of art donated by local collectors, using only a flashlight for illumination. It’s quite a spectacle! There will be three “Heists” throughout the night, with higher priced Heist tickets getting earlier access, but all Art Heist Gallery ticket holders are guaranteed to take home a work of art.

For a chance to win best-dressed awards, get creative in your best sci-fi fashion, whether that be space-age bubble helmets, crystalized and chromatic fabrics or the rarely-worn fabulous outfit in your closet. Think “Back to the Future,” the “Jetsons,” or anything in between. The options are limitless.

Get ready to go underground, and beyond. Get your HUG/AG tickets now; this super-fun event always sells out!

Even if you can’t attend HUG/AG and participate in the Art Heist, you can still add to your art collection (and support the Hunter) by bidding on artwork in the silent auction - from anywhere! Follow the Hunter on Instagram or Facebook for the latest on HUG/AG activity, ticket sales, and a how-to on bidding in the silent auction!
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by Hannah Brawley

The month of February is all about hearts and love this year at In-Town Gallery, particularly women’s hearts. The Gallery’s First Friday Event, February 3, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., is entitled “Go Red for Women” to tie in with the American Heart Association’s signature women’s initiative of the same name and will showcase three artist/designers who create unique jewelry perfect for that special Valentine. “Their beautiful designs using semi-precious stones, metals, or beadwork will enhance any outfit,” said Jim Tucker, spokesperson for the Gallery.
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The purpose of the AHA’s 18-year-old program is to increase awareness that heart disease is women’s greatest health threat and to promote education, events, and projects to help women lower their risk. In fact, February is American Heart Month, and the Heart Association will launch its newest campaign the same day as the In-Town show; February 3 is designated as “National Wear Red Day.” Every year, beginning in 2004, AHA has introduced a new aspect of its mission to build healthier lives through public health education because cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 cause of death in women.

In-Town, which regularly combines its shows with community service, will be donating a portion of the proceeds of the show to this extremely worthwhile program.

The jewelry-makers who will be showcased - Eleanor Goodson, Barbara Munson, and Carol Ott – each has a signature style and media in which she works.  Their designs are distinctive and dazzling, contemporary and classic. It may be difficult to choose just one. Perhaps the solution is one of each.

Eleanor Goodson, working away in her “mountain-top studio” on Lookout Mountain, has been with a member of In-Town for many years and is a former president of the cooperative. Her resume is a list of professional memberships and recognition, including several state Goldsmith societies.  She works with semi-precious stones and precious metals, creating necklaces and woven chains.  Her cast pieces are one-of-a-kind, using the lost wax method. Goodson’s education includes study in New York at several jewelry institutes in ancient jewelry design, chain weaving, granulation (applying minute grains of precious metal to a surface), and enameling, as well repousse (creating relief on metal). She has exhibited in juried shows locally and around the country. Her jewelry has ancient influence that imbues it with a classic elegance.

“I create ART. You Wear” is Barbara Murnan’s tagline, and her necklaces, bracelets, and rings do demand to be worn. Her medium is metal, silver and copper, which she combines with geodes, fossils, and minerals reflecting an “urban, architectural influence.” Using a torch, she also achieves variations in color and texture. Murnan says that as the pandemic began to diminish, she set out to broaden her professional skills.  Her designs became more geometric with a deliberate intention to create space between the metal and the focal stone or fossil. This made the pieces lighter to wear and allowed more innovative design elements.

One of her significant influences was a book about the sculptural designs of jewelry from the 1950s and ’60s, which led her to incorporate free-form design with aspects of abstract impressionism, interpretating these in ways that result in stunning original pieces. A member of the Georgia Goldsmith Group and the American Craft Council, Murnan is also a member of the Association of Visual Arts in Chattanooga and owns her own business called Catching Fire Designs.

Working with very different materials is Carol Ott, who began making jewelry at the tender age of 8. Bedridden due to an illness, she began developing her skills with a small beading loom. Life interrupted, though “creativity in some form” has always been a part of her life. Ott grew up in Oak Ridge, Tenn., lived and worked in Washington D.C. where she and her late husband owned an art consulting and framing enterprise. In 2012, she relocated to the Scenic City, bringing with her a revived love of creating with beads. She has been a jewelry-maker for more than 20 years.

Just a cursory look at a well-designed piece of beaded jewelry reveals how much talent is needed to produce it. There are more beading techniques than one might imagine, and Ott enjoys them all, but she dislikes making the same thing twice, so “free style” is her favorite. The process of sorting through the immense variety of beads - the shapes and sizes, the colors and finishes - inspires Ott’s creative flow. “Deciding where to take the work next - or let it take me - is the fun and challenging part,” she says.

Conversely, she also loves working with geometric beading, which requires precise bead placement and color combinations. “Every bead has to be in the correct position in order to create the desired form.” Each approach demands different skills and an exacting attention to detail. Ott designs pieces that vary widely, some lacy and delicate, especially the necklaces, others sporty or more contemporary or geometric in style. Her cuff bracelets are equally as diverse in both style and color and offer something for every mood and every occasion.

The “Go Red For Women” show will be on display through the month of February. In-Town Gallery is located on Chattanooga’s North Shore at 26A Frazier Avenue and is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed Tuesdays) and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays. It offers a diverse range of original art and fine craft including paintings in various media, sculpture, flame-worked glass, pottery, works in wood and metal, jewelry and fine art photography. For more information, go to www.intowngallery.com or Facebook and Instagram.

by Carol Lannon