Exhibition: Preservation Through Art

Lowcountry Basket Makers, oil, 12" x 16"

     Last year I joined the artist organization Preserving a Picturesque America (PAPA). This non-profit organization seeks to preserve historical, cultural and natural locations originally depicted in the 1800s publication Picturesque America. We do this by making paintings of these places as they are today and raising awareness and funds through art exhibition sales with proceeds that go to groups that help protect them. My artwork has been selected by jury review to be in a show at the beautiful Charleston exhibit space near the Pineapple Fountain, City Gallery.
     The artists who created the organization, Scott “Doc” Varn and team, researched and traveled extensively for years to find the exact locations originally painted by publication artists. He and a co-host were followed in a PBS documentary, America, The Land We Live In, as they braved arduous hikes and river rapids as well as genteel Charleston homes seeking to match the views of topography and structures. What interests me is not just the visual beauty of these places, but the stories of the past 150 years represented by the landmarks.
     PAPA hosts paint-outs at the locations several times a year and I have attended a couple of them. My painting, “An Old Live Oak” was started on site at Drayton Hall at one of the events, and later finished in the studio. The other painting I did for the exhibit, “Lowcountry Basket Makers”, was composed in my studio using reference photos taken during a paint-out event in Mt. Pleasant and supplied by the organization. The member artists and photographers are encouraged to work in their own styles and media, and in exhibits this diversity of creativity brings visual interest and liveliness to the theme of representation.
     The “Preservation Through Art—Charleston” exhibition will take place July 19th through September 8th at the City Gallery, 34 Prioleau Street, Charleston, SC 29401. PAPA will conduct a sale of art pieces in the exhibition to benefit community partners and their preservation efforts in the Charleston area. For more information go to: Preserving a Picturesque America or call 828-628-0006 ext.701.

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