"Dog," by Beth Ybarra

Paintings by Lake Norman area artist Beth Ybarra are on display during March at the Davidson Town Hall’s Rotunda Gallery. Meanwhile, a bit of news from the business side of the local art scene: Christa Faut Gallery in Cornelius, which had its roots in Davidson, has closed its doors.

DAVIDSON TOWN HALL EXHIBIT

The latest exhibit at Davidson Town Hall is a series of paintings from recent years by Huntersville artist Beth Ybarra. The show may be seen during business hours at Town Hall, 216 S. Main St., Davidson.

"Spanish Rooftops," by Beth Ybarra.

Ms. Ybarra is an acrylic painter. A northern Kentucky native, she studied oil painting with Paul Chidlaw of Cincinnati, Ohio. But an unexpected turn of events forced her to give up oils. “After developing an allergy to oil paints, I began to paint with acrylics and have never regretted it,” she says.

She has a B.F.A. in graphic design from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and worked as a graphic artist and interior designer. She later returned to graduate school at the University of Kentucky, earning a master of arts in interior design. Motherhood took her away from interior design, and in 2004, she returned to painting full time.

Beth Ybarra

She has won a variety of awards in juried shows, and her works are in both corporate as well as private collections.

Of her work, she says: “My landscapes depict scenes from my travels, and my still lifes depict the beauty of everyday objects. In my portraits of people and animals, it is my desire to capture the unique character of each subject. This often happens with a single stroke of my brush and never ceases to amaze me.”

More information about the artist may be found at her website, www.BethYbarra.com

CHRISTA FAUT CLOSES

After more than 20 years, the Christa Faut Gallery closed at the end of February.

Founder Christa Faut opened the gallery in 1989 on Main Street in downtown Davidson. Ten years later, she moved it to its current location, in Cornelius’s Jetton Village.  A year ago, new owner John Ruck took over from Christa Faut. He was in the process of changing the name to “Gateway Gallery” when he announced the closing.

In a letter sent to clients, Mr. Ruck said he was closing the gallery “due to personal reasons.”

NATHANIEL ROGERS ART OPENING

Nate Rogers

An exhibit of oil paintings by Davidson College art professor Nathaniel Rogers will open with a reception Wednesday night, March 14, in the Van Every Gallery of the Belk Visual Arts Center at Davidson College.

Mr. Rogers, a 2002 graduate of Davidson, holds an M.F.A. from the Maryland Institute College of Art. He will present an artist’s talk about the exhibition at 7:30 p.m.

There is no charge to attend the opening or the exhibition, which may be viewed through April 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and noon to 4 p.m. on weekends. For information call 704-894-2575.

STUDENT ART EXHIBITS

Meanwhile, Davidson College’s gallery also will be hosting exhibits by  senior class studio art majors Taylor Thomas, Sara Claire Chambless, Rachel Means, Lauren Kamperman, Brendan Schamu, and Cristina Casal. The artists will exhibit their work for a week at a time in the Smith Gallery of the Belk Visual Arts Center beginning March 13 and ending May 4. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and noon to 4 p.m. on weekends. For information call 704-894-2575.

SERIES FOR ARTISTS: SELLING YOUR WORK

CHARLOTTE – The Mint Museum and Pfeiffer University are joining forces this spring to offer a three-part series for artists that examines the creative and commercial aspects of their work. The lunchtime sessions will explore how engage audiences and manage your business.

Pfeiffer faculty and Mint Museum staff will lead the sessions at Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St., in March, April and May. Cost is $25 per person, including lunch, or $20 for Pfeiffer students, faculty and staff and Mint Museum members.

To register for one, two or all three workshops, visit www.pfeiffer.edu/artist.