The Five Art Exhibit & CASE Exhibit Opening Reception

The AHCNA is pleased to present two exhibits for August and September. The first is an exhibition of artwork from “The Five,” a group of five women: Anne Rauton Smith, Judy Adamick, Doris Sofge, Jill Stafford and Elizabeth Moretz-Britt in our main gallery. The second is a group ceramics exhibit from CASE. The opening reception for these exhibits will be held on Thursday, Aug. 2 from 5 to 7 p.m., and is free and open to the public.

Jill Stafford was the instigator for creating “The Five.” This group of women exhibit their art together. Jill is self-taught, spending years watching her mother create various forms of art. She now paints on pulverized stone and then applies the stone to canvas, creating abstract/realism, works that she calls “inscapes.” Anne Smith says that her pen, ink and watercolor has proven to be the perfect medium for her to use when painting her favorite subject, architecture, especially old barns. She loves the patina of the aged wood on old structures which can only be derived from nature (sun, rain, sleet and snow). She states “the structure then takes on a character of its own, fast returning to the soil.” Doris Sofge says she has always been involved in art from early childhood. Now she primarily works in acrylics but has worked in all mediums over the years. She is doing more abstracts now but had worked for many years doing still life pieces. Judy Adamick also has been painting most of her life and plans to continue. She feels that painting and teaching in oils, acrylics and watercolors is a “freeing and creative experience allowing more exploration on various techniques appropriate to the subject matter.” Her works presented in this group show are an example of a particular style pertaining to the inspired funny, serene or sad experiences enjoyed in life. Elizabeth Moretz-Britt grew up in Augusta and is the most recent member of this painting group. She has a BFA from the University of Georgia in drawing and painting and is mainly a figurative painter. Very involved in the local art scene, Elizabeth has always been active in the arts in some way.

The ceramic group CASE (Clay Artists of the South East) will be bringing in their artwork to be displayed in the balcony gallery with their new exhibit entitled “Clay is the Way.” Elizabeth Barnes is the organizer of this group of clay artists who meet monthly to share clay ideas and plan for future exhibitions. This group consists of hand builders and those who use the potter's wheel. The works are always interesting, intricate and creative.

Both of these exhibits will be on view from Aug. 2 to Sept. 14. The Arts and Heritage Center is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the first Sunday of each month (Aug. 5

and Sept. 9, due to Labor Day) from 1–3 p.m.