Oct.14 –Nov.9 "Realm of the Senses"
Three Women, all professional artists, all with a passion for what they do-coming together to present “Realm of the Senses” a group show encompassing paintings and sculptures by Anne Cunningham, Sara Switzer & M.J. Cunningham.
Plus "The Path of Seduction" has been held over until November
T.A.G. is proud to announce an exhibition of
soulful new work by Wilmington artist Barb Scalia
beginning Sept. 9th with an opening reception from 5-8pm
Barb Scalia "The Path of Seduction" Sept. 9 through Oct.12, 2005
Born 02/02/1936 a child of winter in St. Paul, Minnesota. Barb, from the age of five, lived with her grandparents in a flat on Ramsey Hill. The same neighborhood where Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald once lived. Her surroundings were humble and life was hard. Her parents suffered from the ravages of alcoholism and were absent from her life for the most part.
The disease of alcoholism hit Barb in her early teens causing her premature departure from high school and a marriage entered into too soon. She had four children and was divorced with no means of support. She struggled to survive as a single parent. Barb’s final blow came from the death of a daughter from brain cancer. She hit bottom—spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Alcoholism had had its way with her.
The clouds parted and Barb knew a brief moment of clarity on a November day. Barb made a decision to live. She surrendered and rested her case against the world and God. Her passion to self-destruct was replaced by a passion to paint. Her paintings show images of her past life—such as “Bar Flies”, drawn from the memories of the characters in bars where she received her education on the seedy side of life.
Barb is self taught and has shown and sold her work at the Seattle Pike Place Market, boutiques in Duluth, Minnesota, Southport, North Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina. Her work can be seen at the UNCW Randall Library in Wilmington.
She lives a life of sobriety today in Wilmington with her jazz musician husband Bob. She cares for her two grandchildren Casey and Caitlin—two joyful noises. Barb has a circle of friends who are also in recovery. Their love and support helps serve as a reminder of where she came from. And to be grateful for every sober breath she takes.
Barb’s original artworks created from a mixture of mediums are filled with emotions ranging from hope, joy, whimsy, nostalgia and in some cases despair. Using her own unique voice Barb’s work is sometimes reminiscent of works by Picasso and Chagall. Her work is soulful like the narrative works of Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence.
“The Path of Seduction” which documented Barb Scalia’s journey. "The painting ’To Thirst in the Rain’ was one example,” states Barb Scalia, “They say paint what you know. Alcohol had its way with me for 22 years; this body of work represents part of that journey -- the hills and the valleys of addiction and the road to recovery." Click here to view more of Barb Scalia’s artwork.
We welcome visitors with our new extended hours:
Monday -Thursday 11-6, Fri. & Sat. 11-8 and Sunday 12-5.
We hope you will drop in!
