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Wall-to-wall art at MACA

everything from cartoons to quilts in November

photo by Britt Combs

One of several Howard McCurry paintings on loan to MACA in November, the idyllic setting of a hot, sleepy summer afternoon at a country store is offset by the comparatively modern drink machine, perfectly capturing the timeless quality of McCurry's beloved McDowell County, the land and people he so extensively celebrated throughout his career.

By Britt Combs | The McDowell News

Published: November 16, 2009

Arts both primitive and refined can be seen in one location in November, and all for free.

Several shows and exhibits are displayed currently at the McDowell Arts Council Association (MACA) gallery on Main Street in Marion. As the year 2009 draws to a close, MACA Director Susan Pyatt said two artists who exhibited early in MACA's history have a long-awaited encore in the gallery this month.

Harold McCurry was well known in McDowell, especially among patrons of the arts. Equally well known for his cartoons as for his paintings, McCurry, who died in 1999, left a large body of work for future generations to cherish and enjoy.

There are about 20 of his paintings -- watercolors and acrylics mostly -- along with many of his cartoons, especially cartoon drawings of his beloved Scruffy the Dog, whose comical and playful poses were often quickly sketched on napkins and given by the artist as gifts to friends and strangers alike.

Several local folks have lent McCurry works to the gallery for the show, especially McCurry's fellow Lions.

Pyatt said McCurry's work is as significant as that of any artist associated with McDowell County, and MACA has been enthusiastic about it from the beginning.

Shortly after its founding in 1972, MACA presented a McCurry show in the Marion branch of the library, in 1974. As the gallery and building undergo renovation and expansion, and the public arts institute grows with it, Pyatt said it was a fitting way to honor one of McDowell's most beloved artists.

His works are on loan from private and public collections, including those of Doris McCurry, Brady Brooks, Jerry Biggerstaff, Nora and Richard Worthen and Cline and Jo Pyatt and the McDowell County Senior Center.

On the opposite wall are paintings and quilts by Nina Greenlee, benefactor and namesake of the Greenlee Theater at MACA, Pyatt explained. Greenlee had a significant show at MACA in 1980. Now several of her paintings, a quilt and some photos from her life and a few art objects that were dear to her are on display, marking her return 29 years later.

There's a great deal of variety, with a collection of arrowheads on loan from Marshall Walker. Many are genuine pre-colonial arrowheads he has found and collected over the years, but also, Pyatt noted, there are many he has made himself, having re-learned the primitive techniques of the nearly lost art of making arrowheads.

Also on exhibit is a small collection of very ancient local quilts, blankets and bedspreads by Barbara Leonhardt-Mosteller, on loan from her great-grandson, James Haney.

There are two examples of masonry sculpture in a pair of small river stone cabins built by Michael Stevens.

All these shows can be seen in the main gallery any time through Saturday, Nov. 28 during MACA's regular hours. Pyatt said there will be a reception on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. Members of the Lions Club are especially invited.

December will mark Pyatt's second anniversary directing MACA. She said she is not an artist herself, but has found her calling in drawing attention and recognition to artists and craftspeople.