From watercolors to oils, nonprofit galleries host range of artists
BURKE ARTS COUNCIL
The exhibition William Leslie Exhibition: A Retrospective remains on view through March 13, at the Burke Arts Council in Morganton.
The posthumous celebration of Leslie’s work opened last month with a reception attended by members of his family.
William Augustus Leslie Jr. was born in Morganton in 1900. For much of his childhood the family lived at 400 West Union Street. He attended Morganton public schools and the Fleet School for Boys in Flat Rock. From 1918–19 he studied at North Carolina State College and served as the cartoonist for The Agromeck, the college yearbook.
In 1921 William Leslie moved to New York, where he worked in sales and attended the Art Students League of New York and the Grand Central School of Art. By 1929 he was back in Morganton and writing a column called “Hither and Yon” and a cartoon titled “Mountain Joe” for The News-Herald. In the early 1930s he bought The Book Store, which he operated until his death.
William Leslie passed away on Nov. 7, 1966, and was laid to rest in the Leslie family plot at Forest Hill Cemetery in Morganton, overlooking the mountains he loved.
BAC is a 501©(3) nonprofit dedicated to enriching the quality of life in Burke County through cultural and artistic endeavors and is at 506 S. Sterling St., in Morganton. Gallery hours at the Burke Arts Center are Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.
More information about the Burke Art Council, classes, membership, or other upcoming events is available at www.burkearts.org. You may also email director@burkearts.org or call 828-433-7282.
FULL CIRCLE ARTS
Full Circle Arts invites the public to enjoy the 14th annual Tiny Art Show, one of Hickory’s more popular displays, where visitors can see art on an intimate scale, no more than 12 inches each.
The show opened Thursday, Feb. 19. Morganton artist Tonja Smith won third place among the 140 pieces on exhibit.
Forty artists are participating with 136 artworks.
At the same time, Full Circle Arts hosts its Student Tiny Art Show, with area schools participating: Hickory Career & Arts Magnet School, Northview Middle School, Hickory High School, and Southwest Primary School.
Both shows continue to March 21.
FCA is a nonprofit artists’ cooperative in downtown Hickory, 42-B Third St. NW. Gallery hours are Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More information about Full Circle Arts, classes, membership, or other upcoming events is available at www.fullcirclearts.org. You may also email gallery@fullcirclearts.org or call 828-322-7545.
