Sharing Creative Talents For All To See

On Thursday evening, February 24 from 6-8 pm at Fusion 54, works of art from 27 local artists will be showcased. At this one-evening event, 69 pieces of incredible artwork can be purchased for the new Montgomery County Government Center which will be located at 1580 Constitution Row, the former Williamsburg Nursing Home. There will be colorful oil, watercolor, acrylic, polymer, and mixed-media paintings as well as photography for sale. Artwork sold at this event will be placed in the hallways, meeting rooms and reception areas in the new building. This will be a wonderful way to display the talents of our local artists for the entire community to enjoy.

Artwork will have a museum label that will state the name of the artist, title of the piece and the name of the donor. Art purchasers can also have the name of a person “in honor of” or “in memory of” on the label. Having your company’s or organization’s name on a piece of art will show your involvement and interest in the community. Any community member or group may purchase and donate a piece of art in honor or in memory of a friend, family member or business. Several local businesses have already expressed an interest in participating. If for some reason you are not able to attend the event, but want to purchase art, contact Kathy Steele at [email protected]. Photos and prices of art will be sent to you. Athens Arts Gallery will handle all financial transactions.

Local artists who have been approved to sell art that evening include Stacy Bogan, Sue Brassel, Eleanor Brewer, Brian Bullerdick, Abigail Clark, Stacie Cook, Nina Cunningham, Mary Lou Dawald, Anna Dickson, Ellie Dieckmeyer, Dana Ellis, Kenya Ferrand-Ott, Jeremy Fry, Dudley Gray, Alice Harpel, Kathy Houghton, Mariah Julio, Jeff Klinker, Kathleen Norton, John Oiler, Anne Parks, Pat Paris, Karen Patton, Lorelei Schmitzer-Torbert, Jerry Smith, Leslie Warren, and John Zimmerman. Artists have selected up to three pieces of art that they feel will symbolize the beauty of our county or bring joy to those who walk into the building.

The show is open to anyone who would like to view and purchase art. Athens Arts Gallery and The Art League of Montgomery County have worked cooperative with County officials to plan this event and secure artists to participate. Now we need businesses and community advocates to make the dream of “a building beaming with quality local art” a reality. Many of the artists will be on hand to discuss their art. You are encouraged to wear masks to keep everyone safe. Packaged refreshments will be served to correspond to covid guidelines. To make a reservation to attend the event, send an email to [email protected].

To date 43 pieces of art created by local artists have been donated to be hung at the center. These have been donated by art lovers in the community who have purchased precious pieces of art from their favorite artist. These include works by Jene Burns, Bob Davis, Dudley Gray, Alice Harpel, Kathy Houghton, Rob O’Dell, Paul Mielke, Roxie Remley, Elizabeth Sharpless, Jerry Smith, Kathy Steele, and John Zimmerman.

Other pieces have been generously donated by artists themselves including Carol Baird, Linda Cherry, Jeff Klinker, Alicia MacIsaac, Brian McCafferty, Kathleen Norton, Anne Parks, Jerry Smith, Kathy Steele, and John Zimmerman. Athens Arts Gallery has permanently loaned three pieces from artists, Stacy Bogan, Nina Cunningham/Alice Harpel, and Elizabeth Sharpless. Eight additional pieces of art have already been purchased and donated to be placed in the collection. It will be so exciting to see all these pieces on permanent display in the new county government center.

Once the Montgomery County Government Center is completed, an open house will be held to invite the artists and donors to come, stroll though hallways and enjoy this cultural centerpiece in our community.