Funk & Awesome to Open at FMU on October 6th

Internationally-acclaimed artists Patz and Mike Fowle will have their latest work on display at Francis Marion University as part of the University’s Gallery Series.  Funk and Awesome! will make its debut at the Hyman Fine Arts Gallery with a reception on October 6^th from 5-7pm. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.  The show will be in the gallery through November 10th.  The normal gallery hours are 8:30 - 5:00, Monday through Friday.

  

Mike and Patz have had work displayed all over the state, nation and globe.  Patz appears in more than a dozen books on art and textbooks for her unique handbuilding technique.  Mike has had work in the South Carolina State Museum and, in 2010, had a solo show called The Green Exhibit at the Black Creek Arts Center in Hartsville, SC.  All of the work in The Green Exhibit was made from repurposed objects.

In a way Funk and Awesome! is a “turning back the clock” exhibit for the Fowle’s.  All work displayed in this show has been created jointly by the artists. “He throws the pot or vase and I take it from there,” says Patz of the whimsical additions she makes to Mike’s wheel-thrown forms.   “These are the types of pieces we did before moving to South Carolina,” Mike added. 

The Fowle’s lived in New York from 1979 to 1989.  They made a living from creating and selling unique works of art.  During this time is when Patz’ mastered her ceramic technique and the couple traveled the nation selling at fine arts and crafts shows. 

After revisiting their Michigan roots for a year, the couple moved to their Darlington County home and began with a new focus for their artwork:  education.  Both artists are on the South Carolina Arts Commission Roster of Approved Artists for teaching as artists-in-residence.  For the 2010-11 school year, the couple completed residencies in all 23 schools in Darlington County.  “That was a great experience for us and we hope to do something similar in another county soon,” said Mike and Patz. 

If you like incredibly intricate, unbelievably whimsical and technically masterful works of art, Funk and Awesome! will be the exhibit for you.  Don’t miss it from October 6^th to November 10^th at Francis Marion University. 

For more information on Francis Marion University’s Gallery Series, click here.

Pee Dee Arts is dedicated to promoting the Arts and cultural activities in the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina.  To have your event, program or class promoted, email Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.