///SHERRY BEATTY AZALI : MIXED MEDIA

McColl Center for Visual Art's third Art Teacher Resource Resident, Sherry Beatty Azali, is a native of Charlotte North Carolina and has taught art in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System since 1995 and presently teaches art at Mallard Creek High School. She holds a Bachelor of Creative Arts and Certification in Art Education K-12 from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Sherry is a National Board Certified Art Teacher and obtains a Masters in Art Education from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She has exhibited her mixed media collage paintings locally, regionally and in France. Since 2004, Sherry has concentrated on creating works inspired by the roles of animals in American Indian culture.

When asked about her residency, Sherry writes:
"Being chosen as an Art Teacher Resource Resident for 2002 was just what I needed to become a better artist. For three months I was given the gifts of a wonderful space, resources, and time to work. I had every thing I needed to advance my technical skills as well as constant exposure to the public so I could share my discoveries. My mixed media collage paintings were based on everyday human existence and were well received by visitors to the center. While at the center, my interest began to be directed toward a specific group of people, the American Indians. I produced works based on actual historical events such as the Trail of Tears. The Charlotte ASID House at the Rattcliff purchased my works as well and an “Indian” painting was among them. As I was preparing to vacate my studio of three months, I learned I had been selected to participate in the first Summer Affiliates session!  During my affiliate stay, I was commissioned to create work for the town of Morganton, NC to honor the Revolutionary war hero, Daniel Morgan. American Indians were included in these works as well.

Since the time I left The McColl Center, I have concentrated on my obsession with American Indian culture. I have been referencing this topic since 2002 but have focused on the American Indian myths featuring animals from 2004. I find it fascinating that every tribe included animals in their creation stories and allegories. The belief of all the tribes was that long ago the people and the animals lived among each other, spoke the same language and worked out the trials and joys of life together. Even the insects were involved with the most famous of all, the hump-backed flute playing locust Kokopilaui. I have combined some tribal symbols with my own symbolism in my mixed media interpretations of the myths. There are an abundance of stories to keep me busy for a long, long time.

Not only did I grow as an artist, I had the honor to participate in the renaming gala of the Tryon Center to the McColl Center and I was included in the Ashes to Art documentary produced by the wonderfully talented, late Stuart Grasburg. The benefits of being a McColl Artist have continued long after my stay here. When people learn that I am a McColl artist, they take notice."