2026 Demonstration Artists
Betty Tyler: Elba Courthouse Brought to Life on Canvas
Throughout Art on the River, acclaimed portrait and fine artist Betty Tyler will be creating a live painting of the Elba Courthouse inside the historic Elba Theatre. From the first brushstroke to the final detail, visitors are invited to witness the artwork unfold in real time as she captures the shifting light, atmosphere, and quiet character of this local landmark. This immersive, all-day process offers a rare opportunity to slow down and experience how intuition, environment, and presence come together on canvas.
Betty Tyler is a portrait artist whose work moves fluidly between realism and abstraction, always rooted in the textures and stories of lived experience. Working across oils, acrylics, pastels, and watercolor, she approaches each piece as a conversation—one built patiently through observation, instinct, and the physical rhythm of the brush. Portraiture remains at the heart of her practice, where she finds deep fulfillment in bringing the essence of a subject to life.
She is especially known for her large-scale works, often painting portraits as tall as six feet. These life-size pieces become immersive explorations of presence and expression, inviting viewers into an intimate encounter with the human form. Her work is held in universities, corporate spaces, and private collections, reflecting both technical mastery and emotional depth.
Tyler’s artistic foundation includes formal study at North Carolina State University and continued mentorship with accomplished artists such as Tom Edgerton, Rodney Moser, Marla of Spain, and Bob Rankin. Her time studying oil painting in Florence, Italy further shaped her classical sensibilities and appreciation for enduring artistic traditions.
Beyond the studio, Tyler has remained deeply committed to arts education and community engagement. She has worked with Alamance Community College, served on the boards of Alamance Artisans and the Alamance County Arts Council, and is a member of the Portrait Society of America. Her passion for accessibility in the arts is reflected in her work teaching art to foster children in North Carolina.
As director of TylerD Studios and Gallery, Betty continues to create, teach, and mentor—bringing together technical excellence, lived experience, and a deep reverence for the human story, captured one portrait at a time.
Betty Tyler is a portrait artist whose work moves fluidly between realism and abstraction, always rooted in the textures and stories of lived experience. Working across oils, acrylics, pastels, and watercolor, she approaches each piece as a conversation—one built patiently through observation, instinct, and the physical rhythm of the brush. Portraiture remains at the heart of her practice, where she finds deep fulfillment in bringing the essence of a subject to life.
She is especially known for her large-scale works, often painting portraits as tall as six feet. These life-size pieces become immersive explorations of presence and expression, inviting viewers into an intimate encounter with the human form. Her work is held in universities, corporate spaces, and private collections, reflecting both technical mastery and emotional depth.
Tyler’s artistic foundation includes formal study at North Carolina State University and continued mentorship with accomplished artists such as Tom Edgerton, Rodney Moser, Marla of Spain, and Bob Rankin. Her time studying oil painting in Florence, Italy further shaped her classical sensibilities and appreciation for enduring artistic traditions.
Beyond the studio, Tyler has remained deeply committed to arts education and community engagement. She has worked with Alamance Community College, served on the boards of Alamance Artisans and the Alamance County Arts Council, and is a member of the Portrait Society of America. Her passion for accessibility in the arts is reflected in her work teaching art to foster children in North Carolina.
As director of TylerD Studios and Gallery, Betty continues to create, teach, and mentor—bringing together technical excellence, lived experience, and a deep reverence for the human story, captured one portrait at a time.
Echo Pope: The Tradition of the Corn Husk Doll
Echo Pope is a proud member of The Ma-Chis Lower Creek Indian Tribe of Alabama and a traditional artisan who has been creating corn husk dolls for the past three years. What began as a heartfelt effort to contribute to her tribe’s Pow Wows has grown into a meaningful practice of cultural sharing and education. Echo now demonstrates and sells her handcrafted dolls at Pow Wows, schools, and tribal events, offering others a glimpse into the traditions of her ancestors.
Her corn husk dolls reflect the kinds of handmade figures historically created for children, serving both as sources of comfort and entertainment. Each piece carries cultural significance and honors the enduring traditions of the Creek people.
Echo also shares the story behind these faceless dolls through the Legend of the Corn Husk Doll. According to the legend, the Creator gifted the first doll to bring joy to children. However, the doll became consumed by vanity, neglecting her purpose. Despite a warning delivered by Owl, she did not change her ways, and as a result, the Creator removed her face. Today, Creek artisans continue to make corn husk dolls without faces as a reminder that true value lies not in outward appearance, but in character and service to others.
Through her work, Echo Pope preserves and shares an important cultural tradition, inviting others to appreciate both the artistry and the deeper meaning behind each doll.
Her corn husk dolls reflect the kinds of handmade figures historically created for children, serving both as sources of comfort and entertainment. Each piece carries cultural significance and honors the enduring traditions of the Creek people.
Echo also shares the story behind these faceless dolls through the Legend of the Corn Husk Doll. According to the legend, the Creator gifted the first doll to bring joy to children. However, the doll became consumed by vanity, neglecting her purpose. Despite a warning delivered by Owl, she did not change her ways, and as a result, the Creator removed her face. Today, Creek artisans continue to make corn husk dolls without faces as a reminder that true value lies not in outward appearance, but in character and service to others.
Through her work, Echo Pope preserves and shares an important cultural tradition, inviting others to appreciate both the artistry and the deeper meaning behind each doll.
Donald Yow: The Art of Masking Tape Sculpture
Donald Yow is a sculptor from Jacksonville, Florida, known for his imaginative and highly distinctive creations made entirely from masking tape. Using layers of different colored tapes rather than paint, Donald brings his sculptures to life through texture, form, and color alone—an approach that gives each piece a uniquely tactile and playful quality.
His work often features whimsical, character-driven forms ranging from expressive creatures to nostalgic and unexpected figures, each carefully constructed with precision and creativity. What makes Donald’s process especially compelling is his ability to transform an everyday material into something striking and dimensional, pushing the boundaries of what sculpture can be.
Through live demonstrations and exhibitions, Donald invites viewers into his creative process, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how these intricate pieces take shape. His work captures attention not only for its visual impact, but for the ingenuity and craftsmanship behind every detail.
His work often features whimsical, character-driven forms ranging from expressive creatures to nostalgic and unexpected figures, each carefully constructed with precision and creativity. What makes Donald’s process especially compelling is his ability to transform an everyday material into something striking and dimensional, pushing the boundaries of what sculpture can be.
Through live demonstrations and exhibitions, Donald invites viewers into his creative process, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how these intricate pieces take shape. His work captures attention not only for its visual impact, but for the ingenuity and craftsmanship behind every detail.
Dorothy Vaughn: Shaping Light Through Glass Mosaic
Dorothy Vaughn is a glass mosaic artist and instructor whose work is deeply rooted in both craftsmanship and community. A native of Elba, Alabama, she returned home in 2002 and has since become a quiet but powerful creative presence—sharing her love of stained glass and mosaics with those around her.
With more than 15 years of experience, Vaughn approaches glasswork as both an art form and a practice of patience. Her process, cutting, grinding, and carefully placing each piece, requires precision and vision, transforming scattered fragments into cohesive, luminous designs.
Her work can be found throughout the community, including a large mosaic tiger installed at Elba High School, a piece she created and donated as a lasting gift. She has also completed detailed mosaic commissions and exhibited her work locally, bringing both beauty and meaning into public spaces.
Beyond her own artwork, Vaughn is known for her commitment to teaching. Through weekly stained-glass classes, she invites others into the creative process—guiding students as they discover the moment when broken pieces come together to form something unexpectedly beautiful.
As a demonstration artist at Art on the River, Dorothy offers a window into this transformation—where light, glass, and patience meet, and where art becomes something both personal and shared.
With more than 15 years of experience, Vaughn approaches glasswork as both an art form and a practice of patience. Her process, cutting, grinding, and carefully placing each piece, requires precision and vision, transforming scattered fragments into cohesive, luminous designs.
Her work can be found throughout the community, including a large mosaic tiger installed at Elba High School, a piece she created and donated as a lasting gift. She has also completed detailed mosaic commissions and exhibited her work locally, bringing both beauty and meaning into public spaces.
Beyond her own artwork, Vaughn is known for her commitment to teaching. Through weekly stained-glass classes, she invites others into the creative process—guiding students as they discover the moment when broken pieces come together to form something unexpectedly beautiful.
As a demonstration artist at Art on the River, Dorothy offers a window into this transformation—where light, glass, and patience meet, and where art becomes something both personal and shared.