Penland exhibit looks at understanding

Mitchell News-Journal
6/10/26

The Penland Gallery has a new exhibition titled “Now is the Time to Understand More,” which runs until Aug. 29 with a reception on June 19, from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

The title is taken from a Marie Curie quote, “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”

Featuring the work of 12 artists, the exhibition offers interpretations of distinct experiences and observations, providing viewers the vehicle to engage in concepts that may challenge understanding or comfort. This eclectic display of objects — ranging from sculpture, to print, to ceramics and more — invites viewers to explore the relevance of craft, of making, and the value using our hands to express a point of view.

The exhibition includes work by Shae Bishop, David Harper Clemons, Ann Coddington, Mary Hallam Pearse, Mercedes Jelinek, Adam John Manley, Althea Murphy-Price, Lindsay Pichaske, George Rodriguez, Piper Shepard, Sok Song and Dongyi Wu.

This show is presented in partnership with Craft in America’s initiative Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, a year-long collaboration among organizations, educators, and makers celebrating the diversity and importance of craft in America.

Also on view at the Penland Gallery is the Pattern Play exhibition, an exploration of surface, color and composition featuring two-dimensional, functional and sculptural work. It is on display through June 20.

The Penland Gallery includes a sales gallery with work in many materials by artists associated with Penland School of Craft and a room dedicated to the school’s history and programs.

The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s the first building on the right as you enter the Penland School campus, which is located on Conley Ridge Road just off Penland Road in Mitchell County, North Carolina.

For more information visit penland.org/gallery or call (828) 765-6211.

Original article here.