Creative Urns, Memorial Art and Jewelry Help Remember People and Pets  - American Chronicle, November 2008

 04/04/2008
New Online Art Gallery Memorializes Life

Shine On Brightly is delighted to announce the launch of its website at www.shineonbrightly.com. This online company features artist-designed, hand-crafted products to memorialize and celebrate lives of loved ones, including friends, family, or cherished pets. A variety of materials and styles is available, including ceramics, jewelry, glass, wood, metal, textile art, and paper art pieces. The website also offers links to valuable resources to help with end-of-life issues.

Many recent articles, books, and other media point toward the growing number of cremations, both in the US and worldwide. Babyboomers especially, are breaking tradition in their spiritual beliefs, environmental convictions, and affinity toward individuality in all aspects of life.  The funeral industry concedes to this rapid conversion to cremation, yet products for containment of cremation remains are limited, and are often mass-produced and outsourced. Shine On Brightly fills this void by providing unique art pieces made with love and fine craftsmanship. Pieces can either contain cremains, or simply memorialize a life.

The idea for the company was developed from a lifelong passion for art, and the belief that every life deserves to be honored and celebrated. Adrienne Crowther, sole proprietor of Shine On Brightly, believes that “art has the power to heal, to unite, to express feeling when words sometimes can’t be found. Art can pay tribute to someone and serve as a constant symbol of the unique spirit within. What a perfect way to memorialize a life.”

Asheville is renowned for some of the finest craft available worldwide. Shine On Brightly is based in Asheville, and represents many of the master artisans who work here.  “The idea is to expand the selection as we grow,” notes Crowther. “I’m thrilled about the commitment and professionalism of the artists who are featured on the website.” Included in this all-star lineup are the following artists, listed by medium - Ceramics : Amy Goldstein-Rice, Rose Tripoli-Mueller, JR Page, Tom Turner, Kim Dryden, George Handy, Louis and Christine Colombarini; Glass : Robert Levin, Rick Melby Wood : Ray Jones; Bookmaking : Mary Carol Koester; Metal Sculpture : Julia Burr Textiles : Norma Bradley; Jewelry : Kathleen Doyle & Thomas Reardon; and Memorial Poetry: Lisa Sarasohn.

Both commissioned and non-commissioned pieces are available. Orders can be placed online, or by calling 828-348-0455 or toll free at 866-844-4469. Friendly, compassionate customer service responds to all inquiries and sales requests Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm EST.

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04/04/2008
Exhibit of Memorial Art Opens in Asheville, NC

Shine On Brightly, an online gallery for memorial art, proudly partners with Merrimon Galleries, for an exhibit of sculpture, ceramics, and glass to honor the life of a loved one. This show, which inhabits the front gallery space, is presented in conjunction with “Architecture in Art,” an exploration of place and architecture by artists Mark Holland and Ron Kane. The opening reception, on April 11, includes an artist talk by Mark Holland, at 5:30, followed by refreshments and an opportunity to meet the artists.

Shine On Brightly responds to the rapidly growing rate of cremations in the US and worldwide.  Container options for cremation remains are limited, and are often mass-produced outside of the US. Shine On Brightly offers personal, unique, artist-designed, hand-crafted selections to memorialize loved ones, whether friends, relatives, or cherished pets.

“Many people are commissioning art pieces to incorporate the ashes of a loved one,” reports Adrienne Crowther, owner of the company. “We also offer beautiful objects to honor that person in other ways, for those who are uncomfortable with keeping the remains. For those clients, we have customized books, jewelry, and textile pieces”

Ceramics: Amy Goldstein-Rice, Rose Tripoli-Mueller, JR Page, Tom Turner, Kim Dryden, George Handy, Louis and Christine Colombarini; Glass: Robert Levin, Rick Melby Wood: Ray Jones; Bookmaking: Mary Carol Koester; Metal Sculpture: Julia Burr Textiles: Norma Bradley; Jewelry: Kathleen Doyle & Thomas Reardon; and Memorial Poetry: Lisa Sarasohn.

Many of the artists who work with Shine On Brightly have developed this work in response to the loss of a loved one. They will be present to discuss their work for this purpose at the opening reception. The exhibit runs through April 25th.

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