COLLENE KARCHER
STONECARVER
        
                                                                                       About the Artist 

                                                                                                    

Collene Karcher began her career studying at the Rhode Island School of Design and in Italy. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree while apprenticing under Stonecarver George Wagner. She was also involved in restoration work for the Michigan and Ohio state capital buildings. In 1994 Karcher opened her studio to the public, one tiny grassroots effort to provide a one on one experience between collectors and appreciators of fine art and the artist herself. She does not exhibit her work in galleries or in shows. It cannot be found in gift shops. Her work is available exclusively through her mountain studio. A recluse at heart, she considers herself a Peripheral Artist, existing, creating and observing in the margins of our culture. 
 Since that initial opening 15 years ago, folks from all over the country and the world have found their way to Karcher's studio. Good conversations have ensued. Much has been learned on both sides with visitors often inclined to sit a spell. Featured in numerous articles and magazines, her studio and gallery is now located in the tiny mountain town of Bakersville, North Carolina. She has been creating sculpture in marble, slate, limestone and wood for over 22 years and is also an accomplished letter cutter. One of only a very few letter cutters left in the United States still practicing the art of hand carved letters. Two thousand years ago scribes painted letters directly onto the stone. Stonecarvers followed behind, cutting the letters. Collene Karcher practices both. Sketching the outline of a letter or transferring via carbon is eliminated.
While requiring more precision and control, as well as an intimate knowledge of letter forms and proportions, the results are carved letters which are very immediate and
alive.

 

 Stone Crossing Studio & Gallery is open 3 days a week--Thursday, Friday, & Saturday 10-5

 May 1st thru October 31st. 


*By appointment year round.


828•688•2827

174 Stone Crossing Lane, Bakersville, NC 28705





                                                                                                  

                                                                                     

                                                                                                
                                                                                                        
                                                                                                

                                                                                                

  



                                                                                                                                               copyright . Collene Karcher. All rights reserved.