Artists and guests filled the Madison Art Gallery on June 8 for the opening of an exhibition named “Home Is…”.
Twenty-seven artists from Atlanta, Athens, Madison, and other Middle Georgia cities, all MAG members, presented visions of home in the form of paintings, clay sculptures, felted work, and stained glass.
“We have about 11 special exhibitions during the year. For this one, the artists were challenged to interpret what home was to them,” said Patricia DuBose, president of the Madison Artists Guild.
According to DuBose, many of the artists had their work on display all the time, but about 15 exhibitors participated only in the “Home Is...” exhibition.
“Home Is…” is a juried show, with winners announced on July 8. Before that, any MAGallery visitor can cast a vote for the best artwork.
“We have a People’s Choice Award and The Best Theme Interpretation award,” said Mitzi Carr, head of the MAGic program. “There will be a winner both from our regular gallery artists and those who aren’t normally in our gallery.”
“I love these people and this gallery. You can put these paintings in Atlanta or New York City, and they’ll be appropriate,” said artist Pam Baxter, who didn’t participate in “Home Is…” and came to look at the other people’s artwork.
The sponsor of the event was the Jim Boyd Agency, reception food was provided by Harvested Honey of Rutledge, and music was performed by MaCayla Cook.
MAGallery is operated by Madison Artists Guild (MAG), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting art in Madison and surrounding areas. Carr said that being a MAG member has advantages, one of which is participation in the program called MAGic, which provides access to educational art events, such as trips to the other galleries and lectures by accomplished artists.
“Some of our upcoming ideas are field trips to Atlanta, Athens, and Augusta to visit museums and galleries there, and also some studio visits,” Carr said.
“Home Is…” exhibiting artists include Alice Lee Andreottola, Karen Arthur, Pam Brown, J.W. Collins, Chris Cook, Claudia Davis, Ann Dodys, Kim Donald, Mandi Yates Ellwood, Judy Gilbert, Elizabeth Collins Hanes, Shirley Igberaese, Felicia Kautz, Michelle Kent, Melissa Lentine, Carol MacAllister, Sondra Madison, Billie Mears, Mark Nelson, Chuong Pham, Brenda Sutton Rose, Sally Ross, Maria Sine, Sandra Vales, Fred Veal, Ellen McQueen West, and Lisa Wheeler.
MAG also runs outreach community programs, such as “Art For Life” at Morgan County Alternative School, which provides art classes for youth at the Boys and Girls Club and activities for kids at community events.
“Art For Life” is an extracurricular, community-funded program for kids who have broken school rules and cannot go back to the school campus for a period of time. While completing their academic subjects at the alternative school, kids earn participation in the “Art for Life” classes through good behavior, where they learn life skills and get art training.
“We have members of the community, businesses, and individuals, who believe in what that program is doing for the students at that school, and they fund the teachers and the required supplies,” DuBose said. “We are the organization that raises money and keeps that program in front of the public. We are very proud of this program.”
For more information about MAG, its upcoming events, and programs visit TheMadisonArtistsGuild.org or call 706-342-9360.