We've been friends with Drew and Louise Langsner for almost fifty years. We've known Drew as a master craftsman and teacher of woodworking and, at heart, an artist. So we shouldn't have been surprised when he turned from making chairs to deconstructing and rearranging them into new forms. Something like a traditional musician turning to jazz.
The Madison County (NC) Arts Council has mounted a beautiful show of Drew's latest work. We attended the opening on June 1st.
The Arts Council occupies the building that was once a Belk's store and later the public library. They have done a magnificent job in transforming the space.
Some of the artist's more traditional work.
I love this whimsical decoration.
A beautiful dough bowl. About forty-five years ago John and I took a workshop with Drew and we each made a dough bowl. They weren't as graceful as this, but we still have and use them.
Drew has made a variety of serving dishes from sassafras, sometimes incorporating a bit of acrylic decoration.
It was a fine opening with wine and nibbles and lots of interested gallery-goers.
These are not chairs. Anymore.
Beautiful slices of a hollow log, painted and decorated.
This red one was painted with auto paint.
A found bit of wood, disguised as a king's ransom in gold.
The artist.
The show will be up through July. Come visit Marshall and enjoy the vibe. (It's changed right much since we moved here.)