Island Artworks on Ocracoke Island, NC
"Island Artworks is a small gallery on Ocracoke Island carrying 3D fine craft and original framed oils by Mark Hierholzer, depicting soundside scenes of fishing boats, lighthouses, and other local seaside views."
— Kathleen O'Neil, Gallery Owner
Mattie Arts Center,Swan Quarter, NC
"Mark Hierholzer has been instrumental in the development of the new MATTIE Arts Center, an art school in the historic Hyde County courthouse in Swan Quarter, NC. This is a school that would expand throughout the village with resident art studios and additional teaching studios as other artists relocated temporarily or permanently to the area."
"Mark served on the steering committee and taught the first pilot program- an impressionist oil painting class- in July of that year. The results were pivotal in the decision to implement the vision.
Since that time, Mark has cultivated a dedicated following of students through MATTIE, teaching classes en Plein Air in Impressionist Oil Painting, portrait studies, and charcoal drawing at least once a month and often 2 and 3 times a month to an ever increasing body of loyal students."
"With unflappable loyalty to the MATTIE program and his professional and comprehensive deliveries Mark has been an inspiration to other visiting and local instructors who now, similarly, teach their arts and crafts once a month at the center."
Mattie Celebrates Its First Year
"MATTIE just celebrated their one year anniversary Oct. 26th, 2013. In their first year they have enjoyed more than 350 student enrollments. MATTIE is an acronym for Mattamuskeet Artisans- Teaching, Training, Instructing, and Educating and is a tribute to the county’s renown Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, wintering habitat for more than 100,000 migratory waterfowl including tundra swan and snow geese."
— Judy McLawhorn, Director of the Mattie Arts Center
