Miniature creations

Stepping through the door of the Hillsborough Arts Council Gallery, it’s easy to feel like Alice entering Wonderland.

But don’t worry — you’re not a giant. The art just shrank.

The council’s most recent exhibition of miniature art challenged professional artists from five local counties to create visual art pieces measuring 6 inches or smaller in each dimension.

“It’s very meditative to do detailed work on a small scale,” said Jean Cerasani, a textile and porcelain artist from nearby Saxapahaw who is featured in the show.

Nearly 150 pieces by 40 artists are included in the exhibition. Every artist who submitted their work is represented in the gallery. The artists were allowed to enter up to 10 pieces.

Gallery coordinator Renee Montague presents and organizes the gallery’s exhibitions.

“We want to give as many opportunities to professional artists as we can,” said Montague, who is also on the council’s board.

Leigh Mahar, who works primarily with mixed metals and collages, cites the many benefits of miniature pieces.

“It makes it more affordable for customers. Plus, if I get bored easily, I can just move on to the next one,” Mahar said.

Montague noted that the artists submitted their work to the miniatures exhibition free of charge — providing incentive for many of them to participate in the show.

“There aren’t that many free opportunities anymore,” said Jeannette Brossart, whose mosaics are featured in the show.

All works displayed in the gallery are required to be for sale.

The organization takes a 30 percent commission, which will eventually go to fund a new, larger gallery.

Established in December 2009, the gallery is a program of the Hillsborough Arts Council — a nonprofit organization responsible for enhancing cultural and artistic aspects of the town.

Now more than 20 years old, the council is extending its influence in the community as Hillsborough draws in more artists.

With the addition of numerous private galleries and new businesses, the once-rural town is in the midst of big changes.

“Hillsborough is attracting more artistic people — artists, musicians, writers,” Montague said.

Even as other visual art spaces already exist in Hillsborough, Montague says the council’s gallery serves a unique purpose.

“Because it’s nonprofit, it works in ways for-profit galleries can’t,” Montague said, adding that because the gallery is not concerned with maximizing profits, it is able to expose the public to more unique artistic concepts, such as a miniatures exhibition.

Contact the Arts Editor at arts.dth@gmail.com.