WAYNESVILLE, NC — The Haywood County Arts Council invites the public to experience Don’t Be Square: Art Beyond Right Angles, a unique exhibition on display at Haywood Handmade Gallery, 86 N. Main Street in Waynesville, from August 5–31.
The public is invited to the opening reception during Waynesville First Friday: Shop, Sip, & Stroll on Friday, August 7, from 5–8 p.m. Guests will enjoy complimentary refreshments, meet exhibiting artists, and be among the first to experience this imaginative collection of artwork while exploring downtown Waynesville.
The reception will also feature a live artist demonstration by WEB, a talented local artist best known for his handcrafted jewelry. Guests can meet WEB, learn about his creative process, and see the craftsmanship behind his work. He also creates hand-painted dough bowls and original canvases, showcasing his creativity across multiple mediums.
Don’t Be Square challenges artists to move beyond traditional square and rectangular formats by creating artwork on surfaces without right angles. While artists may still work on canvas and other familiar materials, the exhibit encourages exploration of unconventional shapes and dimensions. The result is a collection of paintings, fiber art, mixed media, and other original works that invite viewers to experience art from a new perspective.
For artist Robin Claver, inspiration comes directly from nature.
“Being immersed in nature is my happy place and my inspiration for my artwork.”
Artist Laura Talbert embraced the opportunity to experiment with dimension and texture.
“For the Don’t Be Square exhibit, I’ve taken the colorful, dimensional quality of my paintings to a new level. By combining heavy gel medium with acrylic paint in a new form, I’ve created vibrant, three-dimensional works of art. It’s like sculpting with paint!”
Fiber artist Sarah Cortvriend brings both function and whimsy to the exhibition.
“My chicken pincushions are a combination of practicality and whimsy. Using handwoven samples and scraps, I put them together in quirky combinations. The triangular shape keeps them stable and easily accessible, and the ground walnut shell filling keeps pins and needles sharp.”
Don’t Be Square: Art Beyond Right Angles celebrates the creativity that emerges when artists rethink traditional boundaries and explore new ways of presenting their work.
The exhibition is free and open to the public during regular gallery hours. Artwork is available for purchase, supporting both local artists and the Haywood County Arts Council’s mission to celebrate and strengthen the arts throughout Haywood County.
For more information, visit Haywood Handmade Gallery, 86 N. Main Street, Waynesville, or contact the Haywood County Arts Council.
