Tag Archives: Calabash

Holiday Art Market in Calabash

Sunset River Marketplace, the eclectic art gallery in Calabash, NC will hold its annual Holiday Art Market from Friday, Nov. 12 through Sunday, Nov. 14. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Mary Cross creates her mussel trees and Christmas gnomes only during the holiday season.

The 10,000 square-foot gallery will be showcasing its wide range of original art, including much that has been designed and created especially for holiday gift-giving: clay sculptures and pottery (including Christmas platters and serving pieces), hand-blown and fused glass, oil paintings, artisan made jewelry, Christmas ornaments and cards, turned wood, baskets, hand-crafted dolls, wood furniture, fiber art, garden art, and more.

There will also be Holiday treats, hot mulled cider, wine and free gift certificate drawings all three days.

Featured artists, many of whom will be on hand during the event, include Gary Baird (wildlife photography), Ruth Cox (oil paintings), Jewel Simmons (silver jewelry), Sherry Godfrey (Kokedama and pottery), Mary Cross (pottery and mussel trees), Betsy Parker (clay sculptures and pottery), Pat White (watercolors and Holiday gifts), Donna Michaux (pottery), Kathie Wolk (pottery), Laura Johansen (fiber art dolls), Vicki Neilon (acrylics), Brenda Riggins (acrylics and ornaments), Ardie Praetorius (pottery), Wes Wagner (wood furniture and other items); Bob Monthie (wood trays and boxes), Marlene Cassidy (jewelry), Kathy Joyce (clay sculptures and pottery), Linda Thomas (miniature paintings), Barbara Bryant (fiber baskets, coasters and ornaments), Leo Dwyer (gourd art), Kakie Honig (fused glass Christmas trees), Rachel Sunnell (acrylic paintings and ornaments), Judi Moore (acrylic paintings), Roseann Bellinger (Holiday miniatures and paintings), Bob Moffett (turned wood), Kathy Duckworth (acrylic paintings), and Sharon Dodge (pottery).

About Sunset River Marketplace

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 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 and workshops are currently being offered on a limited basis. Call the gallery for details.

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.

The FrameCenter, located within the gallery, is open Wednesday through Friday, 12 noon – 5 p.m. and by appointment. Call framer Louis Aliotta directly at 910.368.7351.

Special Covid 19 Notice: To meet North Carolina State guidelines, Sunset River Marketplace requests that patrons who are not fully vaccinated 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. Depending on alerts from the Governor’s Office, this advisory may change.

Gallery will feature Nostalgic Highway, watercolors by Richard Staat

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.

Calabash Gallery to Host Prestigious Traveling Watercolor Exhibition

Sunset River Marketplace in Calabash, NC, has been selected to host the 2019 Watercolor Society of North Carolina Traveling Exhibition. The show will run from June 14 through August 14 with a public reception on Thursday evening, June 21 from 5 to 7 p.m.


Donny Luke, Montreal Street Scene, 18.25×9.75, watercolor

The exhibition consists of 30 paintings, which were chosen from the Watercolor Society of North Carolina annual show. There will also be three additional works recently selected from the organization’s permanent collection. The exhibition began its travels in Elizabeth City, NC; continuing to Williamston, NC; and New Bern, NC before arriving at Sunset River Marketplace in Calabash.

Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be offered at the reception on June 21. Music will be provided by Celtic duo Gaelstorm. The local husband –and-wife act has been entertaining the Carolinas for over 20 years.


Nancy Paden, The Sentinel, 14.75×29.5

About Sunset River Marketplace

Sunset River Marketplace showcases work by approximately 150 North and South Carolina artists, and houses some 10,000 square feet of oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, mixed media, art glass, fabric art, pottery, sculpture, turned and carved wood and artisan-created jewelry.

There are two onsite kilns and four wheels used by students in the ongoing pottery classes offered by the gallery. There are realistic and abstract art classes as well as workshops by nationally and regionally known artists. During select months, the gallery hosts Coffee With the Authors, a series of presentations by local and regional authors. This Summer, the gallery will also be hosting a number of  “demo days,” during which artists will demonstrate how they work and answer questions. They will be posted on the Events tab on the gallery website.

 The gallery address is: 10283 Beach Drive SW, Calabash, NC 28467.  Hours are Monday – Saturday, 10 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.


Jean Blackmer, The Rebirth of Ephesus, 20×14, watercolor

About Watercolor Society of North Carolina

Formed in 1972,  Watercolor Society of North Carolina, Inc. (WSNC) is a professional nonprofit art organization. The purpose of WSNC is to strengthen and promote watercolor throughout the state. The group strives to do this by: elevating the standards of excellence in this medium, educating artists by hosting workshops by nationally recognized artists, sponsoring juried exhibitions, and involving the people of North Carolina in the arts. Website: www.ncwatercolor.com.

About Gaelstorm

Comprised of Tom and Liz Roberts, Gaelstorm is a foot-tapping fusion of Celtic, old time grass roots music. This talented duo has been entertaining the Carolinas for over 20 years. From beautiful vintage airs to high-energy reels, Gaelstorm creates an authentic vibe for every occasion. Instruments include guitar, mandolin, bass, violin, bouzouki, vocals, Irish whistle, hand drums and percussion. This enjoyable acoustic experience takes you on a journey from old Ireland to the Blue Ridge Mountains and many heartfelt places in between.