Cynthia Bringle Clay+ exhibit in Spruce Pine

Cynthia Bringle shared her upcoming exhibit at the Toe River Arts gallery in Spruce Pine.

Here’s the press release about the exhibit:

“What means the most to me is that I can still make pots.”

Beginning on July 14 at the Spruce Pine Gallery, Toe River Arts will recognize that ability with Clay + and the work of Cynthia Bringle.

Bringle began her studies in painting until, during her second semester at Memphis Academy of Art, she wrapped her hands around a ball of clay in one of the required classes. She continued to paint but from that semester on clay guided her passion.

In 1963, Bringle came to Penland School of Crafts for a few weeks during the summer while she finished up her undergraduate work at Memphis and graduate studies at Alfred University. In 1970, she moved to Penland.

The exhibit acknowledging Cynthia Bringle’s contribution to the arts at the Toe River Arts Spruce Pine Gallery runs from July 14 through August 18. A special reception is planned for Saturday, July 28 from 5 to 7pm and coincides with the “Sphere of Influence: Glass Artists of Western North Carolina” reception being held on the second floor in the Dottie Owen Great Room/Gallery.

Bringle’s exhibit pieces will run the gamut from years-old pieces to new work. And paintings. Cynthia has never stopped painting. She says this exhibit is not a retrospective of her life’s work but reflects what she has done, what she is doing, and what she might be considering in the future. In 2009, Bringle was named a North Carolina Living Treasure for her contribution to the global ceramics arena, an honor she recognizes with deep appreciation. “Clay +” will celebrate her life from yesterday when she picked up a brush in Tennessee to tomorrow when she throws another pot.

www.toeriverarts.org