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GRIDIRON TO GALLERY: Ron Propst, Stoneware/Earthenware/Ceramics, W-S. A former football player for East Carolina University, Ron Propst made a sharp education diversion while holding a scalpel over a frog. He was complaining to a fellow biology student that he wasn’t fulfilled with his studies and she suggested he switch his major to art. He made the change that same day. Art proved to be his calling, evident through his long list of accomplishments, including being named Winston-Salem Artist of the Year in 2002. Propst focuses on functional pieces including vases, clocks, bird feeders, bakeware and serving pieces made from stoneware, earthenware and ceramics. Stop into The Other Half, the Trade Street gallery he opened with his wife Tamara two years ago. The Other Half, 560 N. Trade St., W-S. Call 724.0881.

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NO STONE UNTURNED: Rhonda Banner, Mosaic, W-S. Rhonda Banner won’t deny she likes playing in mud. That is, mortar and tile. Banner has been working with ceramic and stone tile for more than a decade. She first got started designing tile floors, shower and tub surrounds and backsplashes. Having an artistic flair, she naturally merged into mosaic. “With tile you can make something out of anything...the opportunities are endless,” says Banner. Step into her recently opened 6th and Trade Gallery and the validity of this statement is evident. Nestled among a variety of work by other artisans are mosaic mirrors, planters, bird houses, stepping stones and more. Interested in learning mosaic? Banner offers classes in her gallery for students of all levels. 6th and Trade Gallery, Arts District, W-S. Call 972.3852.

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A LASTING IMPRESSION: David Nance, Painting, Graham, N.C. A graduate of the School of Design at North Carolina State University, David Nance’s paintings have received numerous awards. Influenced by Impressionism, expressive brush strokes and savvy colors mark his work. “I paint for the love of painting and when others respond to my work I have shared this compassion,” Nance says. His work is available at Heart of Living Home Gallery in Greensboro, a downtown gallery that is designed with a touch of home and represents a plethora of North Carolina artists. Heart of Living Home Gallery, 320 S. Elm St., GSO. Call 662.0023 or visit www.heartofliving.net.

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SHAPING ART: Chuck King, Painting, Mocksville. Chuck King is a self-taught artist whose favored style is abstract acrylic painting. His work combines bright, mostly primary colors with geometric shapes and curves while, on occasion, incorporating (somewhat) recognizable objects. Chuck’s interest in art started at an early age as he watched his grandfather paint landscapes and portraits in oil during family vacations in Kansas City, Mo. Chuck and his wife Chantal, who is an accomplished knitter, own The Station on Main Street and The Station Gallery of Fine Art, in historic downtown Mocksville. The Station on Main Street, 185 N. Main St., Mocksville. Call 753.0311 or visit www.stationonmainstreet.com.

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LISTENING TO ROCK: David Simpson, Soapstone Carvings, Germanton. Owner of Germanton Gallery, David Simpson is no outsider to art. Thirteen years ago, at the prodding of Mt. Airy soapstone carver Charles Simmons, Simpson picked up the trade, specifically carving birds, wildlife and Native American-inspired pieces. Simpson’s “Little Heron,” a doorstop carved of soapstone, has been selected to be published in the prestigious annual “Birds in Art 2008.” Simpson mostly sticks to functional pieces, such as bird baths and paper weights, but as for design inspiration, he says, “it just depends on the stone. It’s got to talk to you.” Germanton Gallery, 3530 NC 8 and Highway 65, Germanton. Call 969.6121 or visit www.germantongallery.com.

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ON THE FLY: Valarie Williams, Painting and Ceramics, W-S. A multi-talented artist, Valarie Williams is a potter, painter and photographer. Her watercolors originate from an imagination that is unconcerned with the physical limitations of the world. In Williams’ paintings, fish can fly with the birds and birds fly over the stars. Clay figures reflect a similar touch of whimsy. For several years she has worked and shown with the members of Gateway Studios. Also an accomplished musician, Williams plays professionally with the Enrichment Center Percussion Ensemble. Gateway Gallery, 1006 S. Marshall St., W-S. Call 777.0076, ext. 238 or visit www.enrichmentcenter.org.

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A MUST SEA: Janet Lockerby, Jewelry, Walkertown. With a background in archaeology, Janet Lockerby of SeaStones Studio seeks to reinterpret ancient themes into modern, wearable styles. Inspired by ancient Aegean and Etruscan decorative techniques, Lockerby’s necklaces, earrings and bracelets are available in a variety of color palettes, including earthtone, peacock and winter white. Each piece is individually crafted with hand-selected pearls and beads with an emphasis on natural materials. Lockerby’s jewelry is available at Winterfire Craft Gallery, 145 S. Stratford Rd., W-S, 748.0145 and 226 S. Elm St., GSO, 274.4886.

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BEE’S KNEES: Pat Spainhour, Painting, W-S. A retired art teacher from Forsyth County Schools, Pat Spainhour is a highly skilled artist specializing in oils and encaustic painting. Dating back to Ancient Greece, encaustic combines oil paint, beeswax, resin, heat and, as Spainhour says, “chance,” to create paintings of an organic nature. Spainhour is an exhibition chair for Associated Artists of Winston-Salem, where she is a juried member. Associated Artists, 301 W. 4th St., W-S. Call 722.0340 or visit www.associatedartists.org and www.patspainhour.com.

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CLEARLY ARTISTIC: Jody Danner Walker, Fused Glass, Clemmons. By combining traditional painting techniques with cast glass, Jody Danner Walker creates artworks with hidden depths that sparkle and dance in the light. Walker’s unique glass pieces are created by fusing and casting multi-colored glass enamels and powders between layers of glass. Her works have been exhibited throughout the U.S., and she works and teaches at her studio, Warm Glass Gallery and Studio in Clemmons. Opening July 29th, is Walker’s solo show Artworks Gallery in Winston-Salem. Warm Glass Gallery and Studio, 2575 Old Glory Rd., Ste. 700, Clemmons. Call 712.8003 or visit www.warmglass.com/jody.

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CAT’S MEOW: Orange Cat Art, Photography, Raleigh. Founded by sisters Jill Davis and Sheri Symanski, Orange Cat Art is a group of North Carolina artists who believe that art can be enjoyed everyday by everyone. Orange Cat photography celebrates the natural beauty of the Tarheel state with stunning depictions of sites from Hanging Rock to Ocracoke Island and many locations in between. Orange Cat prints are reasonably priced and offered in note card collections, calendars and matted prints. Call 919.744.6541 or visit www.orangecatart.com.

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NORTH OF SOUTH: Will South, Oil/Charcoal, GSO. Recently hired as Chief Curator of the Dayton Art Institute of Ohio, Will South served as Curator of Collections at the Weatherspoon Art Museum for eight years, and also taught art at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. South has curated collections including works by Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso. His own art, including oil still lifes and charcoal skyscapes, is available in collections across the country. “Creating art remains a vital way to engage the world,” South says. Weatherspoon Art Museum, corner of Spring Garden and Tate streets, GSO. Call 334.5770 or visit http://weatherspoon.uncg.edu.

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JEWEL TO THE ARTS: Julie Knabb, Jewelry/Beadweaving/Fabric Design, W-S. An artist in her own right, Julie Knabb is also committed to promoting other local artists, as Vice Chairman of The AFAS Group and a member of the Leadership Council at Diggs Gallery. Knabb specializes in jewelry, beadweaving and fabric design and owns STUDIO 2, a working studio that offers classes and team-building workshops in jewelry design, basketweaving, felting and fabric painting. Knabb’s work is currently on display at the Arts Council in Elkin and at Fiber Company in Winston-Salem. STUDIO 2, 205 W. 6th St., W-S. Call 413.6667. Fiber Company, 600 N. Trade St., W-S. Call 725.5277.

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FLOWER POWER: Steven Dunn, Painting, W-S. Inspired by the foliage that surrounds him, Steven Dunn has an instinctive eye for color and design. His murals and functional artwork are in high demand, but having grown up on a plant nursery near Winston-Salem, Dunn’s passion for flowers sets his work apart. An alumni from East Carolina University, his education has deep roots in visual art and he has bloomed into one of the Triad’s most talented hands. Hampton House Gallery, 2213 Cloverdale Ave W-S. Call 723-8869 or visit www.hamptonhouse.net.

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RENEGADE COWGIRL: Millicent Greason, Mixed Media, W-S. Have you met a Renegade Ninja Cowgirl lately? Step into Urban Artware and meet Winston-Salem artist and gallery owner Millicent Greason, who co-founded the Cowgirl movement with Kelly Peterson of Winston-Salem’s Patina. The pair received an ECHO award by the Winston-Salem Foundation for the plastering of single-word, positive message signs throughout the Winston-Salem community in response to the tragedy of September 11th. Outside of her Renegade duties, Greason curates Urban Artware and creates her own mixed-media works in her Ardmore neighborhood studio. Greason uses found and familiar objects to create three-dimensional works that come together to provoke thought through their oddness. Urban Artware, 207 W. Sixth St.,W-S. Call 722.2345 or visit www.urbanartware.com.

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YIN AND YANG: Cool Water Productions, Photography, Summerfield. In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang are generalized descriptions of the antitheses or mutual correlations in human perceptions of phenomena in the natural world, combining to create a unity of opposites. The concept of yin and yang describes two opposing and, at the same time, complementary aspects of any one phenomenon. Together, Lyn Luersen (yin) and Darryl Wilson (yang) of Cool Water Productions capture breathtaking imagery of landscapes and nature with an affinity for birds, architecture and the human spirit. In addition to fine art, Cool Water offers commercial and portrait photography and videography. Call 337.7869 or visit www.coolwaterphotography.com.

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WOOD YOU LISTEN? Bayley Wharton, Furniture, Mt. Airy. “Let the wood speak for itself,” says Bayley Wharton of Mt. Airy about his highly stylistic furniture. His one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted pieces of art maximize function and minimize environmental impact. Wharton worked for one of the largest furniture manufacturers in the world before leaving to explore his independent design vision. Wharton has developed a style of natural beauty, clean lines and simplistic intrigue. If the wood used in any of his work really could talk, it “wood” probably say “thank you.” Furniture by Design, 775 West Lebanon St., Mt. Airy. Call 789.9222 or visit www.furniturexdesign.com.

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BREWING UP ART: Erik Beerbower, Sculpture, GSO. Erik Beerbower is a Greensboro artist who understands the connection between art and life, intertwining the two seamlessly throughout the city, whether in downtown alleys or community parks. His functional sculptures are made from a variety of materials such as marble, mahogany, copper and iron. His work is sinuous with nature and organic in design, from flowing fountains to art nouveau mirrors. His imagination finds form at the Natural Science Center of Greensboro, the Biltmore Greensboro Hotel and Chakras Salon. Beerbower’s studio is at Lyndon St. Artworks, 205 Lyndon St., GSO. Call 370.0025 or visit www.lyndonstreet.com.

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THE ART MAKER: Frank Russell, Found Object Sculpture/Painting, GSO. Self-proclaimed “art maker” Frank Russell turns discarded items into eclectic and witty “found art,” specializing in gleeful fish sculptures that can be found hanging from the ceiling or sprinkled across the sills of his gallery Artmongerz, which features local member-artisans. Made from old soda cans, cast-off car parts, guitar strings and other items deemed useless to the average eye, his uniquely crafted sculptures are worth the trip. Artmongerz, 610 S. Elm St., GSO. Call 389.0398 or visit www.theartmaker.com.

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ETHEREAL-ITY: Charlotte Chipman Strom, Painting, GSO. Many forces come together on the canvases of this Greensboro artist: floating, fluid images contain a kinetic energy, giving a calm landscape or human form an odd and appealing sense of motion, while rich color pairings elicit an ethereal glow. Her work, which is rendered in a variety of mediums, mainly oil or acrylic on canvas, but also watercolor, ink, charcoal or casein, can be found at Lyndon St. Artworks, 205 Lyndon St., GSO. Call 370.0025 or visit www.lyndonstreet.com.

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LOOMING ISLAND: Ann Eastabrooks, Fiber Arts, Andrews, N.C. This self-proclaimed “scarf lady” makes stunning handwoven creations the old-fashioned way, one at a time, on an wooden loom. Eastabrooks’ scarves are inspired by the nature in which she intentionally immerses herself. Her studio is perched on an island in Junaluska Creek, amid a forest of giant beech trees and wild rhododendrons. Her scarves embody a rich range of colors, resulting in handsome pieces evident of true craftsmanship. Call 828.321.4175 or visit www.pkfx.com/scarflady.

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DESIGN RECLAIMED: Joseph Mendel, Furniture Design, Hickory. Conservation and restoration are key elements of the green movement, and Hickory-based artisan Joseph Mendel certainly understands that. By preserving furniture designs and materials of the past, he is enriching the future with his craft. Mendel’s hands-on and made-to-last work is invaluable, offering the public high-quality reproduction furniture, as well as original designs. Joseph Mendel Furniture, 6609 George Hildebrand School Rd., Hickory. Call 828.397.3639 or visit www.jmfshop.com.

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IT’S IN THE BAG: Tonya Mason, Fiber Arts, GSO. Specializing in cool, slouchy messenger bags, trendy clutches, and unique and stylish cuffs, the leather goods by Greensboro’s Tonya Mason are totally one of a kind and customization is encouraged! Mason offers 16 different colors of leather and will create an item to just about any specification—organic, coral-shaped overlays, geometric patterns, asymmetric polka dots, text, large flower decals make wonderful choices. Visit www.dafal.com.

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A CLASS OF HIS OWN: Michael Ananian, Painting/Drawing, GSO. Michael Ananian has dedicated as much of his life to education as he has to painting. Ananian teaches at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and has nine prestigious awards to his credit along with an expansive body of work that is intricate and intense. Ananian is one Carolina artisan that can really teach you a lesson. Weatherspoon Art Museum, corner of Spring Garden and Tate streets, GSO. Call 334.5770 or visit http://weatherspoon.uncg.edu and www.michaelananian.com.

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ADORNED IN ART: Deborah Wishon, Jewelry, W-S. One of the best-known jewelry designers in the region, Deborah Wishon opened Winston-Salem’s Deva eight years ago. Wishon designs custom pieces in platinum, gold and silver and the store also carries work by more than 40 designers from the U.S. and Canada. From a trendy necklace to a one-of-a-kind engagement ring, Wishon offers something truly unique for everyone. Deva Fine Jewelry, 49 Miller St., W-S. Call 723.4022 or visit www.yp.bellsouth.com/sites/deva.

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OLDIES, BUT GOODIES: Paige Cox, Fiber Arts, GSO. Old handkerchiefs, buttons, vintage velvet and lace, recycled sweater fabric and other vintage elements are the focus of Paige Cox’s fiber art, which breathes new life into old-fashioned materials, creating whimsical aprons, coats, hats, wrist wraps, pins and fanciful children’s clothing. Her felted dolls are also perfect for those who appreciate the quirky, vintage and hand-crafted. Visit www.lulugroove.com or Piedmont Craftsmen Gallery, 601 Trade St., W-S, 725.1516 and Just Be, 352 S. Elm St., GSO, 274.2212.

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MATH-ART-ICS: John Gall, Etching/Printmaking, Jamestown. A blend of art and science, John Gall’s narrative, historical prints are reminiscent of early-20th-century New Yorker cartoons mixed with the early-16th-century etchings of Albrecht Dürer. The detail-oriented printmaker uses his fascination with the aesthetic beauty of mathematical equations, graphs and symbols in his work. He says subjects invented from his imagination are his most precious. Visit www.johngallart.com.

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RELICS OF ART: Beatrice Schall, Sculpture, GSO. Fusing found and new objects alike, such as fabric, family photographs and even bark and stones, Beatrice Schall fashions sculptures, paintings and drawings that address nature and the cycle of life. Her evocative assemblages contain symbols, both widely universal and deeply personal. Visit www.tristatesculptors.org.

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MISSION: ARTIZZM: Virginia Kassay, Drawing/Painting, Summerfield. It’s all about art for autism for Virginia Kassay who has donated proceeds from her artwork to the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center for autism research. What started as a mother’s way of connecting with her autistic daughter has become a masterpiece in community awareness of this increasingly common disorder. Her efforts have made her a finalist in the Energizer “keep going” Hall of Fame and her works feature vibrant, colorful and simplistic, child-friendly drawings and paintings. Her work is showing through July 26th at The Gallery of Fine Arts Festival Association of Rockingham County, 217 SW Market St., Reidsville. Call 349-2060 or visit http://fafagallery.org.

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LANDMARK ART: William Mangum, Painting, GSO. Boasting more than 3,000 originals and 50,000 of his works in private and corporate collections, William “Bill” Mangum is definitely a high caliber Carolina artisan. Mangum paints rich and realistic images of skylines, universities, popular and historic landmarks and landscapes of North Carolina. Thirty years of his watercolors have found their way into merchandising gift items such note cards and puzzles, available in his Greensboro gallery, William Mangum Fine Art, and his online retail outlet. William Mangum Fine Art, 2166 Lawndale Drive, GSO. Call 379.9200 or visit www.williammangum.com.

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GOBBLE, GOBBLE: J. Robert “Bob” Gobble, Watercolor/Pen and Ink, Salisbury. No, It’s not Thanksgiving. It’s “Bob” Gobble, watercolor and pen-and-ink specialist and Salisbury native. A true Carolina family man, when he’s not painting, Gobble is a proud grandfather who loves traveling with his wife Margaret since his retirement from Duke Energy. Gobble’s work features depictions of Carolina architecture and landmarks, such as his “Hatteras Lighthouse,” and “Starnes Sisters’ Farm House.” He has exhibited his work across the state and placed third in the Carolina Artists Expo in Salisbury in 2006. Creative Arts, 210 Dukeville Rd., Salisbury. Call 704.636.8204 or visit www.carolinaartist.org.

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BODY OF ART: Katie Claiborne, Painting, GSO. Former winner of the All Member Juried Exhibition at the Center for Visual Arts-Greensboro, painter Katie Claiborne’s “enegetic brush strokes and atypical colors work together to exude a sense of an inner life in her subjects,” according to the Weatherspoon Art Museum. A member artist of CVA-Greensboro, Claiborne recently earned a master’s degree in fine arts from UNC-Greensboro and was featured in Weatherspoon’s UNCG MFA Thesis Exhibition. Claiborne’s paintings often feature large brush strokes, a darker palette and a shadow sensation. “My work is found in the weight and sensuousness of the body, the painful limitations of the body and the desires and creations of the human mind,” says Claiborne. The Center for Visual Artists—Greensboro, 200 N. Davie St., Greensboro. Call 333.7485 or visit www.greensboroart.org.

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HEAVY METAL: Chazz Elstone, Iron Sculpture, Mt. Airy. “I enjoy working with metal, it’s brutal and unforgiving.” It sounds like a quote from the late “Dimebag” Darrel of Pantera, but it’s actually from Chazz Elstone, a Mt. Airy-based artist. Also a musician (he prefers the blues), Elstone makes our list of artisans for his awe-inspiring iron sculptures. As the Gallery Group says, creativity runs hot in this artist’s veins. His pieces make striking yard art and depict dragon flies, human-like forms and abstract pieces. Stone House Metal Works is this former New Yorker’s home and workshop. The Gallery Group & Art Studio, Inc. 162A W. Pine St. Mt. Airy. Call 786.0057 or visit http://gallerygroup.biz or www.artsonggallery.com.

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MURAL, MURAL ON THE WALL: Marianne DiNapoli-Mylet, Murals, W-S. One of the best known muralists in the Triad, Marianne DiNapoli Mylet has a whimsical, yet culturally engaging style. With numerous murals around the state to her credit, DiNapoli-Mylet also works in her Winston-Salem Arts District studio, creating musical-themed works of bold color and texture. Stroll Winston-Salem’s Arts District to view several of DiNapoli-Mylet’s murals, which are completed with, from a handful to at times upwards of 100 participants. Studios at 625, 625 N. Trade St., W-S. Call 724.3000 or visit dinapoli-mylet.com.

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BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE: Ricky Needham, Painting, W-S. With so much to complain about these days it’s nice to see art that promotes optimism. Ricky Needham’s delightfully idealistic visions of our world in technicolor are brought to life from his studio in the Artists on Liberty Building in downtown Winston-Salem. This lifelong Carolina boy has been an artist since childhood and now hopes to promote peace and harmony though his vivid and cheerful art. Needham’s work is available for purchase at Urban Artware. Artists on Liberty Building, 521 N. Liberty St., W-S. Call 723.ARTS or visit www.rickyneedham.com.

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AN OCTOPUS’ GARDEN: Alan G. Miller, Photography, W-S. Very deep works by Alan Miller venture below the waves and bring to the surface photographic art that shows the otherwise unseen beauty under the sea. His photos depict sea life, including plants, shipwrecks, and sea creatures of all sizes. Miller admits that he doesn’t get to the ocean as much as he’d like to, so in his free time he does photography for other artists from his studio on in the Downtown Arts District. Studios at 625, 625 N. Trade St., W-S. Call 724.3000 or visit www.home.earthlink.net/~uwphoto.

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ACCIDENTAL ARTIST: Dempsey Essick, Watercolor, Welcome. A thoughtful Christmas gift to a loving wife became the start of a career in art. When Dempsey Essick and his wife Shelley took the long-awaited watercolor rendering of the Cottongrove Country Store in Southmont, N.C. to be framed. When they went to pick up the painting, the shopkeeper told them he had taken orders for 50 prints. Without formal training, Essick quit his job and began painting professionally. The couple operates their own gallery at The Essick Gallery, 968 Old Hwy. 52, Welcome, N.C. Call 731.3499 or visit www.dempseyessick.com/page1.htm.

Next Month: 36 Unique Boutiques. With clothing, jewelry, home decor and shoe stores galore, Latitude dedicates next month’s “36 Things” to locally owned specialty stores. Make sure your favorite reaches Latitude’s readers by e-mailing your suggestions to 36things@LatitudeMagazine.com.