Art Collection
Featuring the Works of Local and National Artists
The Umstead Hotel and Spa's private collection is carefully curated and features the works of renowned local and national artists, including famed glass artist Dale Chihuly.
Essence of Abstraction by Cynthia Knapp
Cynthia is a full-time artist living and working in the Atlanta Area. Originally from the Northeast, Cynthia emigrated to Canada where she earned an Honors Fine Arts degree at York University in Toronto. Knapp has maintained a professional visual art career, based in the Atlanta area, for over 40 years.
A long time fixture in SAS' and The Umstead's permanent Art Collections, Cynthia makes a splash with her larger-than-life artworks. Her two murals, proudly on display in Herons Restaurant, infuse vibrancy into our culinary space. We welcome Cynthia back for her second Art Gallery exhibition entitled “Essence of Abstraction.”
Cynthia’s works portray the essence of abstraction as seen in the physical environment. Paint and glaze are layered, added and removed, until the forms develop on the painted surface. Each is absolutely defined and dependent on the visual space that surrounds it. All the elements of the painting: line, color, texture or translucence are enhanced by their surrounding absence existing as complementary players.
“My intent is to create a visual dialog, a mediation between seemingly autonomous forms. This interaction happens while constructing and editing visual elements into a symbiotic balance.”
This exhibition will be on view in the Art Gallery from January 6th through the end of April 2025 with an Artist’s Reception in her honor on February 12th.
Gallery Artwork is available for purchase through the Gift Shop.
Gift Shop Hours: Sun. – Wed. 9am – 6pm, Thurs. – Sat. 9am - 8pm.
New Beginnings
Works by Alice Ballard
Ceramic artist Alice Ballard creates organic, hand-built vessels that reflect the quiet strength and subtle beauty of the natural world. Her sculptural forms are inspired by seed pods, leaves, and other botanical elements often overlooked, yet rich with texture and meaning.
Working primarily with white earthenware, Ballard uses pinch, coil, and slab techniques to explore the expressive potential of each form. Her work often carries a serene, meditative presence, rooted in her deep observation of nature and its cycles.
Alice Ballard’s Pod Triangle, outside of Herons, in the permanent collection reflects our core theme of Art in Nature, inviting guests to pause and connect with the simplicity and elegance found in the world around us.
This exhibition will be on view in the Pottery Case found in the Conference Center lobby starting on Earth Day. For information or to purchase these works please visit our Gift Shop.
Gift Shop hours: Sun. – Tues., 9am – 6pm and Wed. – Sat., 9am – 8pm
UMSTEAD ART GALLERY
ARRIVING MAY 1, 2025: LYNN BOGGESS
For More Information, Visit Our Events Page Here
About The Art Gallery
The Umstead rotates new artists' work seasonally into the hotel to complement the permanent collection. The pieces featured in the collection are modern and minimalist, adding to the contemporary, clean design of the hotel.
Guests are invited to take self-guided tours of the hotel's collection with the guidance of an art brochure that’s available at the concierge desk.
For upcoming art gallery openings, please visit our event calendar.
Pictured: Linda Ruth Dickinson’s 2023 Art Gallery Show