Southwest Georgia artists recognized at packed opening of exhibition

ALBANY— From a meditation on memory and dementia to vivid landscapes, intimate portraits and striking photography, artists from across southwest Georgia were recognized Thursday during the opening reception for the Albany Area Arts Council’s 26th annual Southwest Georgia Regional Fine Art Exhibition and Sale.

The annual juried exhibition, one of the region’s largest showcases of visual art, features approximately 46 artists and nearly 90 works spanning painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography and mixed media.

Executive Director Nicole Willis said the exhibition continues to highlight the depth of artistic talent throughout southwest Georgia while creating opportunities for artists to share their work with the public.

“We have about 46 artists in the show and right at 90 pieces of art,” Willis said. “Most of the artists are local, although we had entries from as far away as Valdosta. It’s still very much a regional show.”

The exhibition’s highest honor, Best in Show, was awarded to “The Inheritance,“ a prismacolor work by Kymm Foreman.

Painting & Mixed Media

First place in Painting & Mixed Media was awarded to Leanne Peek for “Warm Laundry,” an oil painting on stretched canvas. A freelance portrait artist and live wedding painter, Peek describes her work as deeply influenced by photography and the pursuit of realism. “I am a photographer at heart, by degree, and love to capture the light in my paintings,” Peek wrote in her artist statement.

Second place went to Patrick Foster for “Flower of Civilization,” while third place was awarded to Carole Hall Gum for “Autumn’s Palette.”

Photography & Digital Art

Gary Dyes earned first place in Photography & Digital Art for “Lost in the View,” a digital photograph printed on premium metallic photo paper. Dyes describes photography as both artistic expression and personal reflection. “I use photography as a means of self-expression using the spontaneity of street photography and the calmness of landscape and nature,” he wrote in his artist bio.

Second-place was awarded to Mary Egler for “Water Fascination of Autistic Children & Happiness of Water,” and third place went to Joe Clift for “Ancient Monolith.”

Sculpture & Ceramics

In Sculpture & Ceramics, first place was awarded to Abigail Heuss for “Inherited Blooms: Peony,” a work crafted from wood, silver and enamel. A metalsmith whose recent work explores memory loss, identity and dementia, Heuss examines how personal narratives shape an individual’s sense of self. “I am fascinated by jewelry and household items because they are objects of intimacy,” Heuss wrote. “Making this work is an investigation of communication and recollection, the habits and hopes that remain as memory fades away.”

Second place was awarded to Cloie Davis for “Reclining Shield,” created from welded steel, iridescent mica pigments and mixed media on MDF. Third place went to William Behrend for “Koi Carp,” carved from holly wood harvested from his backyard.

The opening reception drew a large crowd of artists, collectors, family members and community supporters, with attendees filling the gallery as they viewed the works on display. Conversations spilled from one artwork to the next as visitors discussed techniques, shared personal connections to the pieces and celebrated the accomplishments of local artists.

Beyond recognizing artistic achievement, the exhibition served as a gathering place for artists, collectors and community members from across southwest Georgia. During the reception, attendees remarked on the quality and diversity of the work on display, with one visitor noting the exhibition demonstrated “how much talent and creativity there is” throughout the region.

Willis said one of the most rewarding aspects of the annual exhibition is seeing artists grow over time. She pointed to artists who have progressed from participating in group exhibitions to earning solo shows at the Arts Council gallery. In a region not often associated with a vibrant art scene, the exhibition offers a different perspective, one focused on creativity, craftsmanship and community connection.

The 26th annual Southwest Georgia Regional Fine Art Exhibition and Sale will remain on display at the Albany Area Arts Council gallery. Images of the winning works, artist information and juror details are available through the Arts Council’s online exhibition gallery.