Shine On Brightly, the innovative online gallery for memorial art, invites the public to a gallery opening at the First Congregational United Church of Christ Art Gallery, 20 Oak St. Asheville, NC, on Sunday, March 8 from noon – 1:000 pm.  This is the Lenten exhibit for First Congregational’s Art Gallery. The gallery opening is free and open to the public.                                                                                         
The exhibit will feature artist-designed, hand-crafted products to memorialize and celebrate the lives of loved ones, for beloved friends or family, and cherished pets. Eighteen artists will be represented during the exhibit, which runs until April 10th. Pieces include cremation urns in various materials and styles, metal sculpture, paintings, handmade books, memorial poetry, and memorial paintings.

Shine On Brightly launched its website, www.shineonbrightly.com, in April 2008. The concept was inspired by a lifelong passion for both art and people’s stories. Owner Adrienne Crowther has extensive experience working with local artists. She created the business to support work for local artisans, by filling a market niche.  Research points to a dramatic increase in cremations, both in the United States and globally.  Specifically, Baby Boomers are breaking tradition in their spiritual beliefs, environmental convictions, and affinity toward individuality in all aspects of life.  

Until now there have been very few post-cremation quality options.  “Most of the products  on the market are mass-produced, outsourced, and impersonal,” states Crowther. Shine On Brightly fills this void by providing unique handmade art pieces.  Clients can select a product on the website or work with an artist to create a unique, personalized memorial. “Art can pay tribute to someone and serve as a constant symbol of the unique spirit within. We believe that our products are a wonderful way to memorialize a life.”

Works by the following artists will be on display:
Ceramics: Amy Goldstein-Rice, Rose Tripoli-Mueller, JR Page, Tom Turner, Kim Dryden, Louis and Christine Colombarini, and David Voorhees     Glass: Robert Levin, Rick Melby
Bookmaking: Mary Carol Koester   Metal Sculpture: Julia Burr, Haley Sullivan
Textiles: Norma Bradley    Memorial Poetry: Lisa Sarasohn  Memorial Paintings: Joan Maxcy