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Melissa J. Tyson Opening – Friday, November 27th

Music Series #3 - charcoal on paper - Melissa J Tyson
Music Series #3 - charcoal on paper - Melissa J Tyson

Pittsburgh-based artist Melissa J. Tyson will be bringing her versatile work to Charleston in a new show opening at The Purple Moon on Friday, November 27th.

The opening coincides with the November ArtWalk.

Tyson uses ancient metalsmithing techniques such as alloying, soldering, forging, and enameling to make one-of-a-kind and limited edition jewelry pieces. She works with traditional precious materials, as well as her own hand-mixed alloys, found metal objects, and unconventional materials like bone and textile.

Also active in the fine arts, Tyson’s drawings, paintings, and mixed media works often share influences with her jewelry. Each incorporates found materials and explores themes such as traditional ornamental forms, topography, and sound.

Born in New Jersey, Melissa J. Tyson received a Bachelors of Fine Art from the Rhode Island School of Design, and studied abroad in Russia, Mexico, and at the Hocschule für Gestaltung, Pforzheim, Germany. Melissa is fueled and inspired by travel and has shown internationally in St. Petersburg, Munich, Hamburg, Milan, and Seoul, as well as in several US states. She currently works out of her own studio in Pittsburgh, PA. Additional information and images of her work can be seen on the artist’s website.

Music Series #1 - charcoal on paper - Melissa J Tyson
Music Series #1 - charcoal on paper - Melissa J Tyson

Tyson’s show at The Purple Moon will include works on paper, mixed media pieces and handcrafted fine jewelry. The show opens with a reception with the artist on Friday, November 27th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and runs through December 24th.

The Purple Moon is located at 906 Quarrier Street in downtown Charleston. Hours are Tuesday – Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Charleston ArtWalk Website Gets New Look and Added Functionality


Screen Shot of New Website for the Downtown Charleston ArtWalk

Just in time for the Holiday Artwalk Season the new and improved website for the Downtown Charleston ArtWalk has just gone live.

Featuring more gallery details and in depth notices of shows, features and openings in Downtown Charleston the website has developed to meet the needs of the growing crowd of art enthusiasts making the ArtWalk trek each month.

The new website is also optimized to allow for easy sharing of information with your friends using social network platforms like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

So stop by, take a peek around, and plan on attending the next ArtWalk on Friday, November 27th in Downtown Charleston.

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Fund for the Arts – The Grape Escape

Visit three countries in one night on November 12, 2009 from 6:00PM to 7:30PM at the following locations:

Callen McJunkin Gallery – 219 Hale Street

The Purple Moon – 906 Quarrier Street

Taylor Books – Annex Gallery – 226 Capitol Street

Each location will feature wines of one country – taste vintages from Italy, Spain and Argentina while you enjoy the opportunity to see some of the best art produced in our region and beyond.

Tickets are $50.00 and can be purchased at the Fund for the Arts office (304)345-0775, Taylor Books or at The Wine Shop at the Capitol Market. Proceeds benefit the Fund for the Arts.

This event is sponsored by Appalachian Power, The Wine Shop at Capitol Market, Annex Gallery, Callen McJunkin Gallery and The Purple Moon.

We hope to see you!

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Blenko Glass Rarities – #384H Handled Water Bottles


Pair of Handled Water Bottles #384H – Blenko Glass – 1938

As anyone who has tried to collect Blenko Glass knows there are some designs you just rarely ever see. That certainly is the case with these two fabulous #384H water bottles in Ruby!

Shown in the Blenko catalogs for only the 1938-39 production years, the graceful and delicate design of this piece makes it much sought and rarely found by collectors.  Certainly the thin handle which is prone to cracks and breakage has thinned the number originally produced after 61 years making this a relatively scarce item from Blenko’s early years.

Many are familiar with the iconic double spout water bottle (#384) Blenko has produced continuously since the 1930’s but this variation on the theme certainly has much more appeal to me.

I recently got my hands on these two and they are simply stunning. Alas, I sold one at The Purple Moon less than 24 hours after I got it and the other is likely to go fast as well. If you’ve never seen one – stop by and take a look!

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Mama Mia! – Ultra MOD Italian Lamp


Pottery Table Lamp – Made in Italy – circa 1971

One of our latest vintage finds is this super Italian Modern lamp dating from the very early 70’s. This minimalist beauty has a pottery body and is as cool as the come.

I just wish I knew who designed this lamp but nothing has come to light as of yet. Any thoughts?

This lamp is currently residing in the main showroom at The Purple Moon.

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Blenko Masterpieces by Wayne Husted


Blenko Glass #554 – Wayne Husted – 1955

Just in at The Purple Moon are these fabulous 1950’s pieces by designer Wayne Husted.

Both are very hard-to-find and are excellent examples of the modernist flair Husted brought to Blenko during his time there as Design Director from 1953 to 1963. Over 500 pieces were designed by Husted during his tenure at Blenko.


Blenko Glass #5937 Decanter – Wayne Husted – 1959

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Take a Load Off – Mid-Century Seating


Hollywood Regency Sectional Sofa – Flexsteel – circa 1960’s

We’re fortunate to have a plethora of exceptional mid-century modern seating in stock at The Purple Moon these days. Just take a gander at some of these beauties!

The Flexsteel three piece sectional sofa above dates from the 1960’s and is as elegant as they come. This sofa was professionally reupholstered in the early 1970’s and is, in a word, gorgeous.

Next we have this custom designed and handcrafted one-of-a-kind sofa which is quite possibly the nicest we have ever seen. Designed and constructed by Mansfield OH artist Margaret Twitchell Swank. who studied under Viktor Schreckengost at the Cleveland School of Art, this sofa was made in 1960 and measures right at 100 inches in length.


Custom Designed / Handcrafted Sofa – Margaret Twitchell Swank – circa 1959

This classic swivel chair by Plycraft and designed by George Mulhauser is a true gem and rarely seen with an actual woven fabric upholstery (most were vinyl) and dates from 1961. The sculptural lines of this bent plywood chair makes it truly iconic.


Plycraft Swivel Chair – George Mulhauser – 1961


Danish Modern Round Chair – Denmark – circa 1950’s

The Danish Modern Round chair, possibly by Selig and certainly in the style of Hans Wegner, is marked “Made in Denmark” and is a the perfect accent chair.

Also from Denmark is this wonderful Teak loveseat with its reversible cushions. Sleek and timeless this piece is at home in a living room today as it was 50 years ago.


Teak Danish Modern Loveseat – Denmark – circa 1950’s

Finally, the Hollywood sofa / daybed below is just the thing for that room which might also double as a spare bedroom – just pull off the backrest and, viola, you have a nice single bed for a house guest. It’s also stylish enough to be used in a more formal way. In fact, the Modern Lady and I have one just like this, in creamy white, in our living room.


Hollywood Sofa / Daybed – USA – circa 1950’s

All of this pieces, and more, are currently on display in The Purple Moon’s main showroom. Stop by and take a load off by giving them a try.

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Dansk Kobernstyle Pitchers – Jens Quistgaard


Kobenstyle Pitcher Set by Dansk – Jens Quistgaard – circa 1960

Dansk International Designs Inc. was founded by American Ted Nierenberg in partnership with Danish designer Jens Quistgaard  and produced the classic Kobenstyle line beginning in the mid-1950’s. Originally made in Denmark by Glud & Marstand and then by a French firm into the early 70’s the enameled metal Kobenstyle kitchenware remains a classic.

The near-mint condition three-size pitcher set shown here in the bright yellow is decorative and functional and is currently available at The Purple Moon.

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