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Where can you find this busy artist? Take a look
Orchard Guild Art & Gifts
www.orchardguild.com
Orchard Guild is a traveling art and gift shop of sorts, filled with images of whimsy, beauty, and enchantment! Founded in the fall of 2006 by Merrily and her friend Brittany Power, two artists who became friends during a semester of study in County Clare, Ireland, Orchard Guild made its first appearance at the 2006 Texas Renaissance Festival (www. texrenfest.com). The art of Orchard Guild encompasses a variety of media, including painting, illustration, photography, and small gift items. The artists specialize in scenes from Ireland and Scotland, integrating aspects of the current landscape and people as well as elements from Celtic mythology, fantasy, and medieval and renaissance history. You can find them at various Rennaissance and Celtic festivals, where they display and sell their merchandise as renaissance merchants, or browse the Orchard Guild website to view their fine art originals, archival prints, and more.
ArtSource Fine Art Gallery
www.artsource-raleigh.com
Merrily was the Featured Artist at ArtSource in May 2006, and she continues to display her work at ArtSource Gallery's two Raleigh locations, at Five Points (509 W. Whitaker Mill Rd.) and North Hills (4351-101 The Circle at North Hills Street). Offering the best selection of fine art in the area, ArtSource features the work of well-known artists from North Carolina and around the nation. Merrily is an exhibiting artist and will also continue to be be part-time gallery assistant at ArtSource through January 2007. (Open Monday through Saturday, 10:00-6:00)
Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival
http://www.townofcary.org/depts/prdept/events/lazydaze/lazydazehome.htm
On Saturday, August 25th, an estimated 60,000 will people gather in downtown Cary for the best in arts and crafts, food, and entertainment at Lazy Daze! One of the South's premier festivals, Lazy Daze, now in its 31st year, is a one-day event that you don't want to miss. Join in the fun and festivities from 9 AM to 5 PM on August 25, 2007, and support Merrily as she showcases her work alongside the area's best artists for her first time at this excellent venue.
Other Links of Interest:
Visual Art Exchange
www.visualartexchange.org
The juried shows “Figurative Works” in February 2006 and “History in the Making” in February, 2005 featured several of Merrily’s paintings, one of which won an Honorable Mention. This non-profit organization seeks to encourage community appreciation and support of visual arts while providing valuable resources for local artists. As a member of Visual Art Exchange, Merrily will continue to exhibit more art with this organization—please check back for future announcements!
Meredith College
www.meredith.edu
Merrily’s paintings can be found on display in the permanent collections of the Meredith College English Department and the Meredith College Learning Center. The artist is proud that her art is now a part of her Alma Mater—which, by the way, happens to be the best school around! Go Angels!
Burren College of Art, County Clare, Ireland
www.burrencollege.com
Set on the grounds of a 16th-century castle near Ballyvaughan, a village on Ireland's Atlantic coast, the Burren College of Art provided the perfect setting for Merrily’s last semester of undergraduate study. The history, mythology, and mysterious landscape of the Burren region of Ireland fueled the artist’s creativity and continue to provide subject matter for her artwork. A quick trip back to the Emerald Isle in February 2006 led Merrily to revisit her old stomping grounds at the college. As always, the burning question is…when can she go back again??
Tir Na Nog Irish Pub (a First Friday event!)
www.tirnanogirishpub.com
Merrily has displayed her art at Tir Na Nog during several First Fridays, the community art walk that takes place in downtown Raleigh the first Friday evening of each month. Merrily has found that the pub’s cozy atmosphere complements her imagery…and makes for a great spot to hang out! Please visit Tir Na Nog’s website for more information on any upcoming exhibits, as well as charity auctions to which Merrily may donate a painting or two.
North Carolina Renaissance Faire
www.ncrenfaire.com
As a vendor at the NC Renaissance Faire in March and April, 2007, Merrily displayed original paintings as well as prints, cards, calendars, and other gift items at the Orchard Guild booth located inside the Village of Yesteryear building at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival
www.townofcary.org/depts/prdept/events/springdaze
Merrily joined other artists and artisans in April 2007 for this annual festival at Bond Park in Cary, NC.
The First Annual Raleigh Gaelic Festival
www.irisheventsnc.com
The Merrily Strickland Fine Art booth at Raleigh's first Gaelic Festival, held downtown in Moore Square on October 1st, 2005, was a success! Patrons enjoyed the fall weather while viewing Merrily's Ireland- and Scotland-themed paintings and prints. The festival featured performances by the Inis Cairde School of Irish Dance, the Danny Tighe School of Irish Dance, and Celtic musicians such as the Dublin-based Paddy Noonan and Mick Bermingham. Please check back for information about the 2006 festival.
Friends of Ireland
www.friends-of-ireland.org/news.html
Please visit the Friends of Ireland website. This organization is a great outlet for celebrating Ireland from here in NC! Merrily was honored to be a guest speaker at the Friends of Ireland meeting at Tir Na Nog on September 13, 2005, when she discussed her artwork and her time as a student in Ireland.
Woman’s Club of Raleigh
www.womansclubofraleigh.org
Merrily’s art was displayed in September 2005 at the clubhouse on Woman’s Club Drive, just off Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh. Dedicated to community improvement through volunteer service, the prestigious Woman’s Club supports the arts as well as a variety of issues in the community and state.
Appalachian Highland Games
www.appalachianhighlandgames.org
This was the first appearance of the Merrily Strickland Fine Art booth at these Highland Games, which took place in September 2005 at the Recreation Park in Andrews, NC. Visit the website for information on the 2006 Games. What better way to celebrate your Scottish or Irish heritage than with a Celtic-themed painting or print?
“Here and There: Scenes from an Artist’s Travels”
Jordan Hall Arts Center
www.townofcary.org
Merrily celebrated the spirit of travel with this exhibit of paintings featuring figures and landscapes from Ireland, Scotland, England, Italy, Honduras, and a variety of other destinations.
Other Notable Artists:
Visit these websites to check out works by talented artists. Interested in being featured in this space? Contact me!
Kristin Siha, Illustrator & Graphic Designer
www.kristinsiha.com
Sara Pocock, Animator
www.saraspot.net
Dan O'Connor, Photographer
www.stickphoto.com
Caleb Portfolio, Photographer
www.calebportfolio.com
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