From October 29 through December 2, the Aiken Center for the Arts showcases works from 44 artists in three exhibits: “The Dog and Pony Show,” Friday Studio Painters, and Snap SRS. In celebration, there will be a public opening reception, sponsored by the Sullivan Turner Team, at the Arts Center on Thursday, November 7 from 6 to 8pm. Learn more about these artists and come view their works as we celebrate our community through art.
Featured in “The Dog & Pony Show” is artist Heather LaHaise from Columbia, SC. Heather brings abstraction and realism together with layers of color and graphic spaces to create paintings that transcend the singular category of dog art. After years of education, studio work, and exhibitions she remains true to her childhood propensity of drawing dogs. Today, she believes dogs have given her a voice, and through her art she hopes to give them one as well. From the very beginning she has developed her paintings with heart and soul: feelings that come alive in each of her pieces. Heather’s work is in Crate &Barrel and Anthropologie. She employs artful skill towards a heartfelt mission: “If my paintings inspire you to rescue a dog or do something nice for one, then I’ve created something meaningful.”
Alongside Heather in “The Dog & Pony Show” is artist Jan Swanson, who also brings her inner inspirations alive on the canvas. Jan is a native of Asheville, NC who has been painting for more than 20 years. She builds on the memories and qualities of everyday life to present a playful and humorous tone in her paintings. Jan is motivated by things she remembers from childhood, like fabrics her father sold or the pearls her mother wore. Dogs are among her sources of inspiration. Jan has won first place twice at the South Carolina State Fair in the category of mixed media, and in 2018, one of her paintings received the Hal P. Moore Award.
Rounding out “The Dog & Pony Show” is potter Jennifer Vaz. Jennifer works in ceramics, using the clay surface as a canvas for her whimsical illustrations. The colors, playful interactions, and unspoken narratives of her hand built and hand thrown pottery captivate the imagination. Jennifer is inspired by her adopted French Bulldog and the many Boston Terriers and Frenchies she has fostered for the Boston Terrier Rescue of East Tennessee. At AthFest in 2014 and 2015, Jennifer’s work received the Best Handcrafted award.
Next, in the AAG gallery, the ACA will feature the works of the Friday Studio Painters. This group is made up of women members of the Aiken Artist Guild. Every Friday morning for the past five years, the Friday Studio Painters have packed up their brushes, paints, canvases, paper, pastels and colored pencils and come to the Aiken Center for the Arts for a day of studio painting. Each works independently but also relies on studio mates for inspiration, guidance and encouragement. Studio members exhibiting in this show are Celeste Malinowski, Linda Purdy, Lizabeth Thompson, Lindy Crandell, Jane Popiel, Lois Hughes, Mary Ann Brock and Pat Bartlett.
Finally, in the upstairs Brooks gallery, the ACA will feature a photography exhibit, Snap SRS. This exhibit offers a special community connection with a collection of works by Savannah River Site employees. During the summer of 2019, all Site personnel had the opportunity to submit their original artwork in four categories: SRS Scenery, Science as Art, Nuclear Knowledge and Local Scenery. This unique compilation of work featured in Snap SRS demonstrates how a highly technical workforce possesses the talent to create beautiful photography.
Join us in celebrating these three exhibits: “The Dog & Pony Show,” the Friday Studio Painters, and Snap SRS at the Aiken Center for the Arts from October 29 through December 2, and help us in giving a warm welcome to these wonderful artists on the evening of November 7 from 6 to 8pm for the gallery opening. We value and greatly appreciate your support of the arts, for it truly strengthens our community!
