Drawing Parallels: A Conversation about the Collaborative Journey of Two Artists

Tabletops (detail), a collaboration by Ralston Fox Smith & Dana Jones, 24x18, oil on canvas

Upstairs Artspace, Tryon’s contemporary arts gallery, is pleased to provide artists and art appreciators an opportunity to take part in a lively discussion with currently exhibiting artists Dana Jones and Ralston Fox Smith about their exploratory co-creating experiences. 

On Friday, April 25 at 5:30 pm, Jones and Smith will discuss their 37-piece show titled “Parallel Line,” an exhibit which came together over the course of a year and includes pieces they worked on together. The free event coincides with the final day of the exhibit. Refreshments will be served.

Jones, a Greenville artist, proposed the project with Smith, an Asheville artist, in January 2024. After a few afternoons of discussion, the two artists developed a fairly specific brief: three themes and a target of 15 pieces each that would be worthy of exhibit. 

According to Jones, the project changed both of their work habits to some degree, and, “while it went on in separate studios, 60 miles apart, we maintained a regular phone and photographic connection.”

“Our work resides at the intersection of abstraction and representation where geometry, landscape, and the imperfections of time meet,” says Smith. 

He adds that they drew inspiration from everyday graphic elements like flags, signs, road markings juxtaposed in natural landscapes, in their investigation of the relationships between shape, color and space.

According to Jones, “by merging our distinct perspectives and processes, we worked together to create a singular unified vision, exploring the balance between structure and decay.” Their intention, he adds, was to create visual spaces that evoke a sense of familiarity and mystery, simplifying complexities both personal and universal.”

Upstairs Artspace is also concurrently exhibiting prints and paintings by Luis Jaramillo in a show called “Mapping My Universe,” and earthenware by Glenda Guion, in a show called, “From Earth to Archetype.”

The gallery is located at 49 S. Trade St., Tryon, next to the movie theater. For more information about the gallery, visit UpstairsArtspace.org or call 828-859-2828.