In 2007 Center of the Earth Gallery will celebrate over 18 years as a dynamic venue that is dedicated to the exhibition of significant art of our time.  We represent over 60 artists of all styles, media, and price ranges. From strong emerging artists to those well established, our artists are widely collected and present a broad spectrum of the regional and national fine art world. CTE artists have been published in Art & Antiques, Art News, American Artist, among many other publications. This cutting edge contemporary art gallery is located in Charlotte, North Carolina in the heart of the Historic North Davidson Arts District (NODA), which has become a haven for the visual and performing arts. 

Our extensive list of corporate clientele includes clients such as Neiman Marcus, TransAmerica, Bank of America, The Federal Reserve Bank, Hearst Corporation, and Philip Morris USA.

Our mission is to discover and showcase high quality and collectible talent in the contemporary art market. Owners Ruth Ava Lyons and Paul Sires each have over 30 years of experience in the fine arts. Both Ruth and Paul are practicing professional artists as well as dealers. Their reputations as mature artists complement their broad knowledge of various art forms. Both received their Masters degrees at Cranbrook Academy of Art.

Ruth Ava Lyons, Director & Co-Owner, is a former Fulbright Fellowship recipient. She has taught at several colleges and institutions and her paintings are contained in many museum, corporate, and residential collections. Ruth was nominated Charlotte Businesswoman of the year in 1992.

Paul Sires, Co-Owner, has received several grants and awards for his sculpture, including an NEA Fellowship. His sculpture can be viewed in many institutional collections and Percent for Art Public Commissions across the country.

Sharon Dowell, Assistant Director, graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from UNC Charlotte, where she concentrated in the areas of illustration, painting and art history. Sharon also independently curates and has exhibited in the Southeast, L.A., and New York City, including The Society of Illustrators Museum, The Tampa Museum of Art, and The A.I.R. Gallery in Chelsea.

Bracken Johnson, Gallery Associate, is a recent graduate of Queens University of Charlotte. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting along with a concentration in Business. Bracken is also an advisor to the Friends of the Arts board at Queens, which has brought many wonderful artists to the Charlotte area for exhibitions and lectures.

Todd Payne, Gallery Assistant, currently attends the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he is working towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Sculpture. Todd is a two time recipient of a Rhein-Medall Prize for Community Art and his sculpture was recently featured in the McColl center for Visual Art's second Annual Launched Exhibition.

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