Carlton Gallery

Boone, NC native and artist, Toni Carlton, has spent over 33 years as owner/curator of her fine art gallery. She has undergone changes in names, venues and artists, but the overall objective to promote the work of local, regional and national artists, as well as market her own fine art has not changed. Carlton Gallery is filled with art in all mediums – paintings, glass, sculpture, wood, clay, wearable art and jewelry. Carlton states she enjoys finding artists and art for her customers to enjoy and appreciate. She continues to represent two artists, Warren Dennis and Debbie Arnold who exhibited in her first gallery – Woven Works. Long standing gallery artists include Vae Hamilton, Andrew Braitman, Egi Antonaccio, Kate Worm, Roy Nichols, John Littleton and Kate Vogel, Kevin Beck, Charles Lawson, Anderson Giles, Mary Dobbin, Bobby Phillips, Greg Fidler, Alan Hollar and Freeman Beard. Toni Carlton prompts the gallery artists by Seasonal Group Exhibitions with Artist Receptions during the spring, summer, autumn and winter, including a Holiday Open House in late November. In addition Individual Artist Exhibitions with Receptions are held periodically throughout the year which affords one an opportunity to meet and discuss the artist's work. Painting workshops conducted by gallery artists are open to beginning or advanced artists and are held each week beginning in May and running through October. These workshops offer artistic expression in oil, acrylic, water color, mixed media collage, expressive and intuitive arts while creating community spirit and inspiration for artists including Toni Carlton. Toni Carlton's art has evolved over the years – from landscape tapestries, large sculptural 3-dimensional basketry, traditional patterns woven with linen to creating fine art, drawing, and painting in oils. Her current contemporary paintings are mixed media utilizing many different techniques and textures. She says, “My hope is that my original creations open our hearts and touch our souls to inspire and lift our spirits. I will continue along a theme that speaks to people's hearts and touches them in ways that are healing and helpful in developing an understanding of our interconnectedness.” In recent compositions called “Art Blessings,” Carlton combined calligraphic and Asian symbols through layers of collage, painting and transfer images as she revisited her spiritual journey as an artist throughout the years. “It has been almost 20 years since I have used weaving as an art form so to actually weave each thread as a prayer knowing it will become an integral part of a larger mixed media painting on canvas is coming full circle to connect me to my heritage.” Carlton Gallery, one of the most established fine art galleries in NC celebrating over 33 years in business is known for its spirited collections and diversity in artwork. Creations from traditional to contemporary feature a wide variety of fine art and upscale handmade crafts by over 200 local, regional and national artisans. Owner, Toni Carlton extends an invitation to visit Carlton Gallery where the ambience is informal and inviting. Visitors notice at once they are in a special place filled with community spirit, creative artists and good friends.