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Studio Alive
Written By: Studio Alive | Issue: 2017/05 - May
While many would not consider Highlands an “artists’ colony,” there’s an abundance of talent in these hills. Thanks to Cindy Vickery of Studio Alive and Karen Hawk of Hudson Library, many of these artists are now on display at Hudson Library.
Studio Alive is a gathering of artists who paint and draw from live models and meet twice weekly in Highlands. It all began in 1980, the brainchild of artist Catherine Christie, and continues to this day.
“Christie” and Dane Morgan and several of their friends would meet, contribute to the cost of a live model, and work in the medium of their choice to complete a portrait, life drawing, or painting. Several of the original members, including Christie, still participate − Suzanne Dilthey, J. Jay Joannides, and Muriel Kolb. All have fantastic stories of their early days in Highlands and time spent abroad and enjoy sharing their vast wealth of talent as well as colorful local history.
“I feel strongly there is so much to be recognized and celebrated here,” Vickery said. “It’s so important for people to realize the breadth and talent we have in our community.”
It is because many in our area agree that there will now be monthly shows at The Hudson Library. Each month one artist from Studio Alive will be featured in the Community Room, beginning with the original members. March featured Catherine Christie’s work, an impressive collection of familiar faces including a portrait of Studio Alive’s first model from 1980. Suzanne Dilthey, a pastel impressionist who taught in Europe and was a faculty member of the Metropolitan Museum and Art Center in Coral Gables, Florida, was shown in April.
Muriel Kolb, a former librarian at Highlands School, joined the group in the 90s after retiring. Her childhood friend Elsa Dodd was in the original group of artists who made up Studio Alive, and encouraged her to join. Kolb works mainly in graphite and will display her pieces in May.
J.Jay Joannides, who used to hike from her cabin on Shortoff Road to Dane Morgan’s studio on Cowee Mountain, will be June’s artist of the month. Her works include a variety of mediums and reflect her many years of travel in South America.
For more information on these public exhibits, contact Hudson Library at (828) 526-3031. All interested artists, regardless of talent or ability, are invited to join Studio Alive and should contact Cindy Vickery at (828) 743-1632.
