Greetings Friends,

I want to invite you to our first ever Instructor Open Studio on May 8th, which falls on Mother's Day, from 2 to 5 pm. And what better way to celebrate than to have a 'spot' of tea while visiting and viewing the works of Susan Crouch.

Susan, an artist from Statesville, enjoys painting a variety of subjects including flowers, figures, wildlife, and landscapes. She works primarily in transparent watercolor, always focusing on light and its ability to transform the ordinary into extraordinary, resulting in paintings infused with realistic and interpretive elements. “The longer I paint, the more I realize - it's all pretty extraordinary,” adds Susan.

 She finds her inspiration in Psalm 19:1. “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” “This is a timeless message - one that crosses all language barriers,” adds Crouch. “It's the message I hope to echo in my paintings.”

This is the first of eight Instructor Open Studios Florence Thomas Art School will be hosting through-out its 2011 season. These events, which are provided free of charge for the general public, are just one way Florence is hoping to achieve its mission “to provide resources for instruction, exhibition, and experiences in the fine arts, master crafts and heritage crafts for Ashe County, the region, and the world.”

I look forward to seeing you there.

Sincerely,

Meghan B Minton

Executive Director