Published: August 05, 2009 09:19 am      

Elements of Style

Earth, Wind, Fire, Water give theme to First Friday at Pendleton Art Center

ASHLAND — Cathy Vigor’s work gets around.

Her work was in Quilt Fest in Houston last year, even though she wasn’t able to attend.

“I think my work travels more than I do,” she said with a laugh.

The theme of the event was The Elements. Now, Vigor is the featured artist for August at the Pendleton Art Center and the theme for the month is Earth, Wind, Fire and Water.

Vigor first took an interest in textile art when she and some friends took a batik class offered at the Ashland area YMCA in the mid-1970s.

“We enjoyed it so much we continued for several years getting together to work on things,” she said.

A teacher at Catlettsburg Elementary School, Vigor has art degrees from Ohio Wesleyan University, University of Kentucky and Morehead State University and has won many honors for her textile art, including honorable mention at the Quilt and Surface Design Symposium in Columbus this year. She has been juried into the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen and the Kentucky Craft Market and is a member of the Tri-State Artists Association. Her work can be seen in several galleries across the state.

Vigor has had a studio at the Pendleton since it opened. She said this month’s theme is a good, universal theme.

“We’re all affected by them,” she said. Many other artists at the Pendleton have works that include the elements and might have some new works to display that carry out that theme.

Vigor will display three or four pieces to represent each of the elements, some of them with beadwork.

In addition to the themed work on display at the Pendleton, First Friday’s Art Walk will include:

‰The Kentucky Creative Arts Club will have its annual Founders Art Exhibit of club members at the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center. A reception is planned from 5 to 8 p.m. during the art walk. The museum is at 1620 Winchester Ave.

‰Toad O’Stooly will present music with his acoustic guitar at The Upstairs Gallery. There also will be a magic show featuring Paul Cook and Will Roberts with Bill Wallace broadcasting live via the Internet.

Laura Maul of Milton, W.Va., is the featured artist of the month. She is a renown photographer with a PPA title.

The gallery is at 1428 Winchester Ave., Ashland.

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On Saturday, during Second Look Saturday, The Jesse Stuart Foundation will have an open house from noon to 5 p.m. with book signings by local authors,

The free event is in celebration of Stuart’s 103rd birthday.

A two-person drama about Stuart’s lifelong friendship with his high school teacher will begin at 2 p.m., followed by showings of films until 5 p.m.

Refreshments will be served. The foundation is at 645 Winchester Ave.,

LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.