May Flowers ... The Floral Photography of Vickie Rounds

In case you haven't noticed, at Artist Alley, we have a thing for North Carolina Art and North Carolina Artists! Our artists reside from The Mountains to The Coast and from The-Middle-of-No-Where to The-Center-of-The-City. We're also blessed to have a number of local artists who share their talents with us as well.

Vickie Rounds is one of them. In fact...Vickie is extremely local, and she lives within a few blocks of Artist Alley. This photo of Vickie's work doesn't begin to do it justice. In person, each of these pieces is so vibrant and detailed that you feel as if you could step right into the flower. And while they're amazing individually, all together, their look is almost indescribable.

In addition to the quality of Vickie's work, one of the most incredible elements of it to this wannabe gardener is that each and every one of these photographs was taken in her own yard! For local gardeners, she's also willing to capture the beauty of their gardens through a custom photo session.

Whatever your skill level as a gardener or a garden-lover, I do hope that you'll have a chance to view these beauties in person sometime soon!

Hope to See You Tomorrow for The Shindig!

March Mixed Media Madness Opens at Artist Alley!

We have quite a weekend in store for you at Artist Alley! And the fun begins on Friday when The Carolina Mixed Media Art Guild will grace us with their presence. I love every event that we host; but when these artists descend on The Alley, the word "Opening" is defined in a whole new way.

What do you get when you combine twenty-five Mixed Media Artists...a list of twenty-two random, unrelated, and downright unusual items... and a bottomless reserve of creativity?

Your guess is as good as mine!

Last year's First Annual Kit Challenge, was one of the most memorable of the year at Artist Alley, and I feel confident that this year will uphold the same tradition.

I hope to see you in person for March Mixed Media Madness... The Sequel!!!

Are You Curious Yet?!?!?!

The Palustris Festival!

Have you heard the buzz about The Palustris Festival ?

The inaugural Palustris Festival is being held right here in Moore County, North Carolina, from March 25th through March 28th. The festivities will include over 100 affordable events at various venues throughout our community. At Artist Alley, we've planned an opening for Friday night and another for Saturday afternoon.

(I promise that these will be events that you won't want to miss, and I'll post more about them soon!)

For now, be sure to visit The Palustris Website for details on all that's happening.

Saturday, March 13th, at Artist Alley

Please join us on Saturday, March 13th from 12 - 4 for "Second Saturday with Jayce Cade". Jayce creates under the names of Jari Custom Leathers and Fox and Hound Accessories.

She'll be be available to discuss her jeweled creations and the meanings behind many of the gemstones that she includes. She'll also be presenting a mini leather studio workshop where visitors can see work in progress. She'll be demonstrating hand carving and hand construction techniques too.
Hope to see you here!

Duck...duck...chicken?!?!?

'Tis the season for bird-themed artwork at Artist Alley! These photos were taken in front of the gallery today.

• Duck and Chicken by Angela Cummings-Thompson
• Gourd Birdhouses by Jan Graindorge
• Seusical Flowers by John Amero
• Funky Windchimes by Robin Webster
• Cedar and Stone Bench by Gary Bowers.

Shop Local and Southern Pines Festivities This Weekend

If you're in the Southern Pines Area, in addition to the fabulous shopping experience that you'll find year-round in our town, this weekend also holds some special surprises. Artist Alley will be open from 10 - 5 on Friday and Saturday, and from 12 - 5 on Sunday this week. On Sunday we'll be serving light refreshments, and the entire town will be kicking off the season with its Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting Ceremony. Think strolling carolers, more than 50 decorated trees, Santa, good eats, and much much more! Then at 4:30 we'll be gathering by the historic train station for fabulous entertainment and the official lighting of the this season's Christmas Tree. I hope that you can join us, and wherever you are, please remember to shop local. This season, more than ever, your local businesses will appreciate your support.

Hope and The Sandhills Children's Center Festival of Trees

The Sandhills Childrens Center Festival of Trees began this week at Pinehurst Resort. If you're in the area, this event provides a most festive way to begin the holiday season, and it benefits such a worthy cause!

In addition to the bevy of valuable services that they provide...and perhaps most importantly...The Sandhills Childrens Center provides Hope. Hope to the children that they serve; Hope to their parents; and Hope to our community.

I created and donated 100 Hope Pendants to this event this year. Additionally, throughout the holiday season, half of all proceeds from the sale of this piece will be donated to The Childrens Center. If you're seeking the perfect Christmas Gift, teacher's gift, or stocking stuffer...or if you'd just like to make a donation to a worthy cause...please consider this possibility. They're available locally at Artist Alley or online at http://www.jeanskipper.etsy.com/ .

Art in The Pines...A Celebration of North Carolina Art and Fine Craft

On Friday, November 6th, from 10 – 9, and on Saturday, November 7th, from 10 – 7, Artist Alley will host “Art in The Pines: A Holiday Celebration of North Carolina Art and Fine Craft.

Art in The Pines was founded as a community art show in November 2006. This year we’ve decided to relocate the weekend’s festivities to Artist Alley in Southern Pines so that a greater number of artists and local residents will be able to participate. Art of The Pines is a festive and fun way to begin the holiday season!

Art in The Pines kicks off at 10:00 on Friday morning. There will be artists in attendance, and spontaneous demonstrations and lively discussions are a sure thing. Refreshments will be served, and door prize drawings will be held on Friday and Saturday.

It’s an exciting time for us. On the heels of being awarded The Best Gallery in Moore County in The Pilot’s Best of Moore Awards, our artists have been creating in anticipation of this event. Every inch of the gallery is filled with their unique vision. You’ll find the latest work from artists who are perennial favorites beside new work by artists who’ve joined us since our recent call-for-artists. Our selection has never been better!

Throughout the weekend, guests can expect to meet local artists Mara Fiskin, Christine Jepsen, Lisey Rowe, Kathleen Miller, Nanette Zeller, Amy Smith, Christy Clark, Debbie Keen, Frank Pierce, Patti O'Day, Frank Giordano, Sherie Munie, Roberta Morgan, Molly Menard, and Jean Skipper.

Additional information about Art in The Pines and Artist Alley may be obtained by calling 910-692-6077. Artist Alley is located less than a block from the historic train station in downtown Southern Pines at 167 E. New Hampshire Avenue. Artist Alley features the work of more than 60 North Carolina artists and exhibits a wide variety of affordable art and fine craft.

***Snowman ornament by Kathleen Miller of Pinehurst, NC.