First Friday ArtWalk at Emerge

Emerge Gallery & Art Center, home of the Pitt County Arts Council, announces its September exhibitions featuring Mark Rasdorf and Michael Ehlbeck. Mark Rasdorf’s stained glass works, “Color and Light,” will be displayed in the Don Edwards Gallery and Michael Ehlbeck’s prints and 3D assemblage works, “Life in the Sticks,” will be displayed in the Harvey Wooten Gallery. The exhibition dates are September 2-29, 2022. The opening reception will be Friday, September 2 from 5:00pm-8:00pm as part of Uptown Greenville’s First Friday ArtWalk.

About the Artists

Mark Rasdorf has lived in Greenville since 2013 and serves as the Director of the Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center at East Carolina University.  He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Appalachian State University. Mark is a native of Alexandria, Virginia and has lived in Philadelphia, Tucson, Westchester County (NY), and Boone. He has said that his work at ECU comes from a place deep in his soul and his art is his refuge.

 Michael Ehlbeck, born in Dixon, Illinois, is Professor Emeritus, East Carolina University, School of Art and Design where he taught printmaking, drawing, and design for over 40 years.  He earned his BFA degree in painting from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and his MFA degree in printmaking from the University of Florida, Gainesville. While Ehlbeck works primarily in intaglio and relief processes he has recently devoted serious studio time to making drawings and mixed media pieces.  His large-scale etchings were commissioned and hang in the Atlanta International Airport. Ehlbeck has also spent time teaching and leading workshops in Hong Kong, Germany, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates. During his career he has participated in over 250 regional, national, and international exhibitions.