A Sense of Place

Gertrude Herbert - Opens September 19 

It’s that time of year again for the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art’s A Sense of Place Juried Art show, opening for its 28th year on September 19. This year, the show coincides with Augusta’s Westobou Festival, which should add to the increasing popularity of the annual exhibit. 

A juried show has a judge or “juror” that accepts or declines an artist’s work into an exhibition based on the theme of the show, expectations from the gallery, and sometimes the juror’s personal criteria.  Though there are prizes awarded to the best in show, it is also significant to have made it into the exhibit. 

A Sense of Place has proven to be nothing short of a success for the gallery, and the evidence is in the amount of submissions it receives in preparation for the event. This year over 1000 artists submitted work to be juried. The show’s chosen juror, Amanda Cooper of the Arts Center in St. Petersburg, Florida, found it difficult to whittle down the selection to thirty-eight artists representing twenty-two states to be featured this fall. “When I first heard the theme of this exhibition, I naively assumed I would be looking at numerous interpretations of the landscape,” says Cooper in response to show’s titled theme. “Imagine my surprise and delight when I saw the creative extent to which these many artists went to convey the theme, very few of which consisted of the traditional trees and lake views.” It’s true, at first, one may naively expect to find a literal and redundant collection, but ultimately this theme can be deciphered to include all sorts of context from one’s place in society to a mental state of mind. 

A Sense of Place is not only a pleasure to the artist’s showing, but it’s a great place to view work that may otherwise be unseen in Augusta. 

A Sense of Place 28th Annual Juried Fine Art Competition opens on Friday, September 19 with a reception and awards presentation at 6 pm.  The exhibit is open to the public.

whiskey painters showcase

@ zimmerman gallery

In the beginning, there was a man named Joe Ferriot, an artist who travelled extensively for his real job (that paid for his art habit).  He longed for his art, so he devised a pocket-sized palette and paint box.  While waiting in airport lounges or retiring to the nearest watering hole after work, Joe would whip out his painting kit and amaze the people around him by producing miniature masterpieces.  To spice up the “act,” Joe dipped his brush into whatever he happened to be drinking at the time (usually some sort of whiskey) instead of water.  He became an instant celebrity and his “whiskey paintings” became a sought after item.

A group of Joe’s artist friends began to follow suit, meeting in taverns to produce their own miniatures and trade paintings back and forth (similar to baseball cards, I imagine).  Soon an official group formed, “The Whiskey Painters of America,” limiting the membership to 150 and setting strict requirements for new members.

The WPA’s purpose is simple and to the point (according to its website):

• To promote the fine art of painting in miniature.
• To promote the good fellowship among imbibing artists.
• To prove to fellow pub habitués that bongo drums and free verse are not necessary adjuncts to good art.
• To permit an artist to enjoy two of the three greatest pleasures in life while sitting on a pub stool or a dimly lit cocktail table any place.
• To add interest to an otherwise dull evening.

See this incredible display of tiny watercolors at Zimmerman Gallery as The Whiskey Painter’s annual sale exhibit opens on September 18, during The Art of Arts Autumn Amble.  You can take home your own original whiskey painting or become a collector yourself.  The exhibit will remain open through October 18 during regular gallery hours.

gabi hutchison

credits: Untitled, Gabi Hutchison, 2007, Collage/Mixed Media

Collage techniques first appeared in China around 200 BCE. 1500 years later, medieval Europeans developed it into a formal art. Today, collage connotes craft and scrap-booking to the general public, but this untitled piece sets visceral reactions aside. Beyond the evocative image of a young girl praying as a plane crashes, the composition draws the viewer inward. The earth-tone palette soothes the eye and allows one to contemplate the piece’s uncomplicated elegance. Experience more of the artist’s work at The Book Tavern through April.

Life in Relief: Woodcut Prints by Kent Ambler

Gertrude Institute of Art
April 18 to May 23

Of all the galleries, coffee shops, bars, or alleyways that have showcased great art in Augusta, one gallery remains a staple in every art lover’s mind: The Gertrude Institute of Art on Telfair Street. The Gertrude is Augusta’s only independent non-profit visual art school and gallery that has offered a variety of art classes, legendary juried shows and successful fundraising events for the past 70 years. It’s basically the best place to see local and regional artists in the CSRA.

The gallery is currently preparing for their upcoming annual juried show titled, A Sense of Place, which brought in over 1200 submissions last year. Just getting in the show is a huge accomplishment, since only 50-70 artworks are chosen. It’s natural for this juried show to be the most talked about event at the Gertrude, but it is also important to emphasize the outstanding art the institute exhibits year-round.

So if you aren’t busy adhering paint to canvas or secretly digging through your roommate’s past school assignments to see what could possibly land you (and her!) the grand prize, then maybe you should visit the upcoming main exhibit.

In mid Aril, Kent Ambler, from Seneca, South Carolina will be showing a series of woodcut prints at the Gertrude. Though time hasn’t afforded me the pleasure to see them up close and personal, I have browsed through a collection of images of what to expect. And I have to admit, even the digitally rendered replications of Ambler’s pieces has me immediately drawn to his work. His subject matter is a simple depiction of his surroundings, usually scenes of birds, animals, people or vacant streetscapes. But his execution of a traditional technique of woodblock relief painting results in a subtle ambience of mood. His birds are whimsical, his portraits are strong , and his empty towns evoke melancholy. The strong contrast of black ink with the precise layering of other colors is not only aesthetically pleasing but creates a strong composition. And anyone familiar with the peaceful onset of spring in the south should easily be absorbed into Ambler’s representation of natural scenes.

The exhibit’s opening reception and gallery talk is on Friday, April 18 from 6 pm to 8 pm. The Gertrude Institute of Art is located at 506 Telfair Street. For more information, visit www.ghia.org.

by Katie McGuire

The Southern Fried Chicks Comedy Tour

Imperial Theatre
April 18

Southern Fried Chicks, the top-grossing female comedy tour on the road today, is laughing its way to Augusta. The original “desperate housewives,” these four women offer their take on the pursuit of happiness with a night of clever storytelling fit for any age group, and in so doing, promote a hilarious view of life in these United States.

Etta May, self-described as Minnie Pearl with a migraine, will have your sides splitting with her sassy overtures, and she won’t shy away from the important issues like “you realize you’re getting fat when you sit in the bathtub and the water in the toilet RISES!”
The human sacrifice for nine older brothers, Etta may grew up tough in Arkansas until she met an aspiring truck driver by the name of Delbert. A few kids later she found her inspiration just waiting “for my kids to do something stupid” she could write down.

Combined with Sonya White, who spent time on Last Comic Standing 4, and Trish Suhr, who left the family funeral business for a life of laughs, Etta May delivers a roaring showcase of southern wit and humor. Throw in Beth Donahue, a self-reported “recovering EVERYTHING,” and you’re in for one night of fun.

From guest starring on the Bob and Tom radio show to headlining on the CMT Comedy stage, the girls are getting around while starring in a sixty minute television special on CMT, but for one night only you can see them live and laugh away your sanity in Augusta, Georgia.

The Southern Fried Chicks Comedy Tour will play at the Imperial Theatre in beautiful downtown Augusta on Friday, April 18. This unforgettable evening begins at 7:30 pm and tickets are on sale now at the Imperial Theatre Box Office, by phone at 706.722.8341 or online at www.imperialtheatre.com. Come on down for a show sure to split your sides!

by J. Edward Sumerau

photo courtesy of Southern Fried Chicks