Sharron Parker exhibition debuts at the Nature Art Gallery December 4

For immediate release ‐ November 30, 2015

Education, Art, Entertainment, Features editors.

Contact: Emelia Cowans-Taylor, 919.707.9837. Images available upon request

“Rock Transformed: Handmade Felt by Sharron Parker” to debut at the NCMNS Nature Art Gallery December 4 – January 31, 2016

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ Nature Art Gallery presents, “Rock Transformed: Handmade Felt by Sharron Parker.” This show runs two months, December 4, 2015 through January 31, 2016. There will be a reception in the Gallery on First Friday, December 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. Parker, who lives in Wake Forest, NC will be in attendance.

Parker began working in handmade felt in 1980 after seeing 2,500-year-old felts from an archaeological dig in Siberia. The simplicity of the process – working combed wool in hot water until the fibers lock – provided the chance to work spontaneously and experiment with a technique few contemporary artists were using. Over the last 34 years, Parker has developed her own approach to the medium, creating wall pieces with an emphasis on color and surface texture.

She has exhibited throughout the United States — in CraftForms at the Wayne Art Center, PA, Crafts National at the Mulvane Art Museum, Topeka, KS, the Architectural Digest Show in NYC, New York, and numerous solo shows. Awards include the Surface Design Association Award of Excellence; Members Show, San Antonio, TX; Award of Excellence at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center, Newport News, VA; and the Goodnight Award of Excellence, 12th Annual Juried Arts Exhibition, Cary, NC. International exhibits have been arranged in Armenia and Turkmenistan by the Art in Embassies Program of the State Department.

Publications featuring her work include Surface Design Journal, The Crafts Report, Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot, “The Fiberarts Design Book,” 1000 Artisan Textiles, and 500 Felt Objects. She has taught workshops throughout the U.S., including for the Surface Design Association’s Conference in Minneapolis and Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in Tennessee.

Parker received her undergraduate degree from Duke University and a Master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, studying education, art, and interior design. She continued her studies in textiles at Penland School of Arts and Crafts in Bakersville, NC and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN.

The Nature Art Gallery is located on the top floor of the Museum Store, (1st floor, main building). Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4:45 p.m.; and open until 9 p.m. on First Fridays. All exhibited art is for sale. For more information about the Nature Art Gallery, call 919.707.9854.


First Friday is a free, family-friendly social event held the first Friday of each month at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh. Visitors can enjoy exhibits, shopping, food and spirits until 9 p.m. The Natural Horror Picture Show (a vintage, sci-fi flick of ‘B’ movie caliber) begins at 7 p.m. Arrive early for live music and a film short from the A/V Geeks archive. For information, call 919.707.9800.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (11 W. Jones St. and 121 W. Jones St.) in downtown Raleigh, is the state’s most visited cultural attraction. It is an active research institution that engages visitors of every age and stage of learning in the wonders of science and the natural world, drawing them into the intriguing fields of study that are critical to the future of North Carolina. Hours: Mon.- Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sun., noon-5 p.m. Admission is free. Visit the Museum on the Web at www.naturalsciences.org. Emlyn Koster, PhD, Director; Susan W. Kluttz, Secretary, N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; Pat McCrory, Governor.

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