March's Photo of The Month - Palmetto Bella Magazine

ShellyMarshall Schmidt

March 1, 2020

The healing power of horses.

“This photo is from the Silent Witness Exhibition, which is on display in the Brooks Gallery of the Aiken Center for the Arts, opening March 26. It represents the remarkable healing “connections” possible between off-the-track Thoroughbreds and military veterans suffering from the unseen wounds of post-traumatic stress. It is one of my personally favorite examples of this phenomenal relationship between horse and human – relationships that I have been privileged to witness through a number of programs and organizations to which I have been devoted for years.”

Shelly Marshall Schmidt

ShellyMarshall Schmidt

Shelly Marshall Schmidt is a commercial and fine art photographer known for her sensitive and insightful work – from portraits to action photography, both breathtaking in their composition and execution – and her innovative printing on a vast array of materials and fabrics. Shelly is particularly well known for lending her remarkable talent to a variety of rewarding and life-impacting programs. While her early career was fueled by “mechanical horsepower,” focusing on thoroughbred cars like Ferrari and Porsche, and championship racing at LeMans, LaGuna Seca, and other world-renowned motorsport circuits, this theme gradually shifted to “equine horsepower,” when she became a valuable collaborator with such groundbreaking and notable programs and organizations as Aiken’s Horseplay, Women Beyond Cancer, Aiken Equine Rescue, Saratoga WarHorse, the Silent Witness Exhibition, and New Bridge Polo Magazine; most recently, her work is featured in the upcoming national conference in Aiken, “HeART of the Horse.”

ShellyMarshall Schmidt

In the know

It’s Springtime!

This little avian family Chose to live at the best address In the best small town in all the South! Now, how smart can that be? The welcome sign was clearly in view And Mrs. Wren knew exactly what to do. A welcoming door, a basket of dogwood A habitat so natural, it looked so good No matter the flowers were artificial The location was perfect, so beneficial. A place protected from wind, sun, and rain Maternal instinct her place to claim The nest, a masterpiece of architecture A perfect place her brood to nurture. Eggs — three, perfect and sky blue When they would hatch only mother knew A

Aiken Center for the Arts Exhibition: Grounded

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch, the Aiken Center for the Arts (ACA) presents a collective exhibition of works to celebrate the splendor of historic Rye Patch and Hopelands Gardens as shared spaces of community, connection, and inspiration. Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch have provided a quiet and peaceful haven for citizens and visitors as well as inspiration to write, paint, sculpt, and photograph. Since 1971 the nonprofit Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch has worked to raise funds for the preservation, improvement, and use of these historic properties as treasures of the Aiken community. Now in their 50th year of service, Friends

My Mask

You say you recognize my mask, made by a mutual friend from fabric your Mother left behind. And smiling, I recall the neat piles of fabric always surrounding my own Mother. So many years of sunlight streaming down on her bent head As she trundled the machine, deft hands guiding the needle, Gentle tugs to keep things right. Seersucker bedspreads, poodle skirts, crinoline slips, gently made for two young sisters. Curtains for every window in every house. My own first effort — a nursery draped in yellow baby ducks. So, in your prayers tonight, thank your Mother for the mask that’s keeping me safe today, the mask that has held

Animal Conservation, a Million Dollar Business

Aiken Artists support the rescue efforts of endangered animals through art Paul Swart, from Rhino Conservation Botswana, was the featured speaker at the Aiken Center for the Arts on Friday, February 18. He explained that poverty in Botswana is a motivating factor for poaching rhinos. “The horn is believed to have medicinal value and can produce enough powder to earn $65,000 on the black market in Asia,” he said. There are fewer than 30,000 black and white rhinos left in the world. Through efforts to transport, guard, and breed these animals, conservationists strive to keep the species from extinction, but it is a million dollar business. The government provides some