Hillsborough Gallery Artists Show Us "What I Came Here For"

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. - April 15, 2015 - PRLog -- Arianna Bara explains that the show’s title is inspired by a line from a poem by John O’Donohue. The poem, A Morning Offering, is a reminder that each day is an opportunity “to live the life that you would love…to postpone your dream no longer, but do, at last, what you came here for.”  Says Bara, “the questions, what did I come here for and why am I here, resonate with us all. My jewelry reflects my answer to these questions. I believe we are spiritual beings having a human experience. We are here to learn the lessons of love and loss, and to remember, in the face of our losses, that we are radiant eternal beings. We are here to shine, to let our spirits ‘arise and illuminate,’ as John O’Donohue says. That’s what my jewelry is about.”

Chris Burnside has always been attracted to stained glass. So in the 1980’s when he was dancing & choreographing in NYC he crossed paths with 2 stained glass artist brothers. "It seemed like some kind of nudge from the universe" says Burnside. In exchange for helping them when he wasn’t rehearsing or performing, they trained him in the art of stained glass. He immediately began his own work which had, and still has, as its chief elements light, color, texture, & design. Unlike the dances he choreographed about the human condition, his glass work is abstract and is inspired by the sheer beauty of the natural world – beauty that for him, has a way of giving our souls perspective. Declares Burnside, "On some deep level - at least for the moment - the time spent in my studio making work seems an important part of what I came here for."

Michele Yellin has been drawing, painting and making things since she was old enough to hold a crayon. Nothing has ever held her interest the way creating does. She says, "I have heard and sometimes believed what people say about artists…egotistical, self-centered, navel-gazing (don’t get me started about the crazy part). I mean, I am not saving lives. I am not solving world hunger, climate change or poverty. And yet, if I don’t create, if I don’t go in my studio every day, or pick up my sketchpad and start drawing, I am miserable. I make art that makes me happy, and sometimes makes other people happy too. I have no doubt it’s what I came here for."

"What I Came Here For" begins on April 20th and runs through May 24th with an opening reception on Friday, April 24th from 6 - 9pm.

The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts is owned and operated by 22 local artists and represents these established artists exhibiting contemporary fine art and fine craft. The Gallery's offerings include acrylic and oil paintings, sculpture, ceramics, photography, textiles, jewelry, glass, metals, encaustic, enamel, and wood. 121 N. Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919) 732-5001. The Gallery is open 10am-6pm Monday - Thursday, 10am – 8pm Friday & Saturday and noon – 4pm on Sunday. http://www.HillsboroughGallery.com