Sunset River Marketplace art gallery in Calabash, NC will host a nostalgic auto-themed exhibition of works by watercolor artist Richard Staat. The show, titled “Nostalgia Highway: Take a Ride With Richard Staat,” opens Oct. 1 and runs through Oct. 31.
Old McDonald Had a Farm, artist Richard Staat, watercolor, image size 28 x 36 inches
Award-winning artist Richard “Dick” Staat has been exhibiting his work at Sunset River Marketplace for almost 20 years. He graduated from Ohio State University with a BFA degree. He worked for years as a commercial artist before moving to Oak Island, NC where he paints in his studio almost every day.
Sunday Drive, artist Richard Staat, watercolor, 27 x 37 inches
Staat is a signature member of the Watercolor Society of North Carolina. He also belongs to the Central Ohio Watercolor Society, the Associated Artists or Southport and the Oak Island Art Guide. Staat has won national, statewide and local exhibition awards for his watercolors.
Tin Lizzie, artist Richard Staat, watercolor, image size 20 x 26 inches
Gallery owner Ginny Lassiter said, “Dick Staat is a storyteller with his paintbrush. His pieces are much loved and sought after. These paintings featuring vintage and antique cars are sure to appeal to local car clubs and aficionados. We hope to see you all at the gallery.”
According to the artist, “I have been interested in old cars and trucks since my high school days. The fun of driving a car with a manual transmission and stick shift while you’re listening to 50s tunes on the radio … you can’t beat it.”
He goes on to say, “Many of my friends had old cars, which they restored and repainted. I paint old cars with watercolor because I enjoy the happy memories they gave me. I like to compose a painting as if I’m telling a story with the car as the main actor.”
Located in coastal Brunswick County, Sunset River Marketplace caters to both tourists and a growing local community of full time residents seeking fine art for their homes and businesses. Featuring work by approximately 150 North and South Carolina artists, the eclectic gallery is well known in the area for its collection of oil paintings, watermedia, pastels, photography, hand-blown glass, fused glass, pottery and clay sculptures, turned and carved wood, unique home décor items and artisan jewelry.
There are two onsite kilns and five wheels used by the gallery’s pottery students. Art classes are currently being offered on a limited basis. Call the gallery for details.
Special Covid 19 Notice: To meet North Carolina State mandates, Sunset River Marketplace requires that patrons wear face coverings and requires the use of hand sanitizer plus six-foot social distancing between gallery visitors and at the cash register. The gallery staff conducts thorough cleaning of surfaces upon opening and closing and during the day and has placed complimentary hand sanitizer throughout the gallery for visitor use.
The gallery address is: 10283 Beach Drive SW, Calabash, NC 28467. Hours are Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, call 910.575.5999 or visit the website at www.sunsetrivermarketplace.com. Daily updates are available on the gallery’s Facebook and Instagram pages.