New shows opening at Aiken Center for the Arts 5/19/2009 12:08 AM
By RACHEL JOHNSON Staff writer
Local artists are set to be showcased this month during a juried show.
The Aiken Center for the Arts will hold an opening reception on Thursday from 6 until 8 p.m. for four new shows on exhibit this month.
During the show, the winners of the juried Aiken Artist Guild show will be announced.
The main galleries will feature the artwork of Michael Pearson and the Aiken Artist Guild. The Aiken Artist Guild Gallery will showcase the work of Judy Adamick and Anne Smith in a joint exhibition that will run through June 26. The Brooks Gallery houses the Home School Art Exhibition during the month of May.
Michael Pearson - Main Gallery
Michael Pearson has designed artwork all over the United States and Europe. After moving to South Carolina, she has dedicated her talents to capturing the beauty of the people, flowers and scenery of the Southeast.
A graduate of the Arts Institute in Pittsburgh, Pa., she studied in New York. Throughout her career, she has painted numerous acrylic wall murals, illustrated children's books and has an extensive background in commercial art/advertising.
She has had more than 40 solo exhibitions in addition to group and juried exhibitions. Her paintings may be found in private and corporate collections worldwide.
Her favorite medium is watercolor as she said it never tires her. She enjoys the spontaneity watercolor offers and finds extreme joy in it. She feels the medium leads itself to beautiful translucent petals of flowers and light airy feathers of birds.
Aiken Artist Guild - Juried Show in the main Galleries
Founded more than 40 years ago, the Aiken Artist Guild (AAG) is a volunteer organization comprised of a dedicated group of artist and patrons who are committed to improving their artwork in various media as well as supporting the interest of their fellow artists. The AAG frequently holds workshops, demonstrations, critiques, exhibits and offers a forum for the sharing of artistic ideas and collaboration. The group meets on a monthly basis and is always looking for new members.
Judy Adamick and Anne Smith - Aiken Artist Guild Gallery
The Aiken Artist Guild Gallery combines the talents of friends Judy Adamick and Anne Smith for the months of May and June. Adamick created images of barns and farm scenery while Smith created the animals to accompany the barns.
"We requested a joint showing," said Adamick. "We had to work on a way to make the show meld because we paint so differently."
The pair coordinated their color palettes and created a exhibition like no other. Both are members of the AAG; however, they have been friends for years. They met in Ridge Spring while both living on farms; both still reside on farms.
"It is not unusual to have our work together, but this is the first time we tried a concept. We hope it will be a successful show," said Smith.
Adamick, a native of Connecticut, has been painting for 30 years and teaches watercolor classes. She prefers the old master style of oil painting but takes great pleasure in the process of creating no matter the medium. After working with oils and acrylics for more than 20 years, she has found delight in watercolors. Her exhibition focuses on animals that relate to Smith's rustic structures.
Smith, a native of Johnston, attended the Ringland Art School and has been painting on and off for years. She has been dedicated to her artwork full time since 2004. She has been painting barns for the past three years; she uses pen, ink and watercolor in her paintings.
"A friend of mine in the Georgia mountains asked me to paint her barn," said Smith. "I love the color of all the woods and barns. I haven't gotten away from them."
Each of the barns featured in the exhibition is a replica of an actual barn found in either Edgefield, Johnston or Aiken County. A listing of the barn's actual locations will be provided during the opening reception.
All of the art on exhibit in the AAG Gallery has been created since January of this year.
The Home School Exhibition - Brooks Gallery (upstairs)
The gallery walls are filled with a review of various projects created during the 2009 semester. The artwork ranges from 2-D and 3-D work varying in styles from studies of Impressionistic painters to jungle animals and robot sculptures.
Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.
Want to Go?
What? Art Opening Reception
Where? Aiken Center for the Arts
When? Thursday, 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
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