My exhibit at Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art at Piedmont University, Demorest, Georgia opened on August 31 with a reception.
Lots of people turned out from the Piedmont community as well as a number of family and friends. It was a beautiful way to culminate a year and half of planning for the exhibit.
I chose the title Because of Memory since most of the works being shown were either created while I've been in residencies at the Lillian E. Smith Center or afterwards, based on images done there. Quite a few of the sketches and paintings from my residency times were displayed.
The words "because of memory" are ones from Lillian Smith's books, The Journey. The quote from her book: "Death can kill a man; that is all it can do to him; it cannot end his life. Because of memory...." is on a headstone of her grave. She is buried beside a stone chimney that was once part of one of the structures at Laurel Falls Camp for Girls that she was director of from 1925 to 1949.
I've photographed and painted the stones of the chimney several times while I've been there and a few years ago designed and wove a tapestry based on one of the paintings. I gave it the title Because of Memory and it's hanging in the exhibit—it's the tapestry at the right.
Other views in the gallery:
I'll be back to the museum next week to speak to some of the students. I'll be sure to talk about the value of artist residencies have held for me through the years. I'm looking forward to spending time at the LES Center again in a few days and seeing what images might be found there. Maybe one (or more) will turn into new tapestries in the future!
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