Arts Council regional art show winners announced

ALBANY — Several of Southwest Georgia’s most impressive talents were recognized for their artistic gifts Thursday night as the Albany Area Arts Council presented awards at its annual Southwest Georgia Regional Fine Art Exhibit and Sale at the Thronateeska Heritage Center Science Museum.

Now in it’s 17th year, the regional art show serves as a way to expose area residents to masterful artwork being created in their own backyard, and the 2016 show was no exception.

This year’s exhibit and sale, which opened to the public with a special reception, featured nearly 100 pieces submitted by 47 different artists, and was considered one of the best exhibitions in recent years, according to Albany Area Arts Council Executive Director Nicole Williams.

“I really think this is one of the best regional art shows we’ve had in the past couple of years,” said Williams. “We always have wonderful work submitted, but each year it seems to get better. I think the pieces we had this year were some of the most impressive pieces we’ve had. Beautiful work. I know the judges must have had a hard time deciding on the winners.”

Despite the perceived difficulty, this year’s panel of judges, which consisted of Laura Sperry, Jim Mitchell and Todd Bertolaet, were able to complete the task and name first-, second- and third-place finishers, as well as honorable mentions, in the categories of sculpture, photography and painting.

Additionally the judges named a Best in Show, which this year went to local sculptor Hollis Barnett for his piece “Jekyll Island Maiden.”

Barnett, who teaches at Valdosta State University and has shown work in the Southwest Georgia Regional Fine Arts Exhibit numerous times, also took the top spot in the sculpture category for his piece “Carnival Vessel.”

“When I found out, I was really happy,” said Barnett. “I’ve entered this show for years, but this is the first time I’ve won best in show. It feels really good.

“I think the Albany show is important because it brings in the local artists, and that includes people who are trying to start off doing art, and making art of their own. I think it’s great for the community. I love the regional exhibitions.”

The artistic community as a whole was also on the mind of Camyljah Giddens, a senior art student at Albany State University, who earned first place in the painting category for her piece “Face of America #2.”

“I think the more I’ve looked for it, the more I’ve found avenues to connect with artists in this area,” said Giddens, an Albany native. “It seems monthly that there’s something related to arts going on in this city. It’s so funny because before I would say, ‘There’s nothing to do, there’s nothing to do.’ But there’s everything to do here if you look for it, if you find the right niche of people that care about what you care about.”

And Giddens said within the artist community, and the ASU art department, she’s found plenty of those kinds of people.

“They care about culture, they care about arts, they care about more than car sales and stuff,” said Giddens. “I love being able to meet new people that are doing wonderful things in their fields, and I love being so close, say for instance, with the executive director of our Arts Council right here in town. It’s a tight community that is very beneficial.

Robert Rhymes, who earned top honor in the photography category for his piece “Boy in Window,” is also an Albany native, but it’s only been in recent years that he’s returned home.

“I’m discovering Albany in a different way now, which is really cool,” Rhymes said. “I really enjoy it now.”

Another thing Rhymes has discovered since returning to Albany is his skill as a photographer, which he said has really been nurtured during his studies at Darton State College, where he is studying art.

“I decided to go to school for personal growth and fun,” he said. “I’ve taken several photography classes over the years, but with Abby Bellard (art teacher at Darton), it’s been one of my greatest experiences. She’s a wonderful teacher and really encouraged us to reach out. She really pushed me.”

Rhymes, along with the other winners from this year’s exhibit, said being recognized in a public setting and knowing that their work has had an impact on others is rewarding.

“This is my first year actually participating in events like this, and to be here and meet the artists and other people and see people look at my work, it’s really great,” Rhymes said. “It’s also surprising to me that I’m getting this kind of recognition in terms of my work looking good to other people. I really enjoy it.”

Giddens said she enjoys the recognition as well but was surprised she won in her category, despite feeling good about her painting.

“I was satisfied with the work that I did, but I knew that everybody else had brought their best as well,” the artist said. “After doing the walk-through, I knew I was in good company with a lot of great artists in the region.”

Other regional artists who earned honors in the photography category where second-place winner Ray Pierotti for his work “Study in Purple,” third-place winner Henrietta Ladson for “Simple Inspiration,” and honorable mention artist Mary Sumners for “The Sky Between.”

Joining Barnett in the sculpture category were Dot Dowling, whose work “Stairsteps Up and Down” earned second place; Sandra Anderson, who took third place with “Gathering Ancestors;” and Josephine Musgrove, who was given honorable mention for “Turtle Kraals.”

Artists joining Rhymes in the photography category were second-place winner Robert Parker for his work “RC Box;” third place winner Kathie Entz for her work “Ghost Chuck;” and Tim Stafford, who received honorable mention for “Mudpot.”

All of the entries in the show, including the winners, will remain on display at Thronateeska through June 18 and can be viewed by the public during the museum’s regular hours, 10 a.m.-4 p.m, Thursdays-Saturdays.

Once the exhibit closes, the winning pieces will be displayed at the Albany Area Arts Council’s Carnegie Library headquarters on South Jackson Street through July. That exhibit, known as “The Winner’s Circle,” can be viewed by the public for free during the Arts Council’s regular hours, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays.