From Aug. 7 through Aug. 28, Macon was indulged with an exhibit entitled “Art of the Academics” held at the 567 Center for Renewal. The artwork in the exhibit was created by faculty from various institutions in the area, including Professors Marlin Adams of Gordon State College, Shannon Riddle of Middle Georgia State College and Elizabeth Bailey of Wesleyan College.
The 567 Center for Renewal opens its doors every month to students and art lovers alike, allowing the public to experience the talent of local artists for no cost. Each month the art and featured artists are changed, so a novel experience can be gained every month attended.
All of the participants created pieces that conveyed their own individual message to the viewer. Adams, for instance, used a sculpture pot that displayed many stories and revealed several connections to the characters through its depiction.
“Art is all about universal communication and self-expression,” said Adams, who is a firm believer in using the arts to speak to others through your own creative and symbolic voice or style. “Art should carry messages that are poignant, because art has the benefit of bringing people together,” Adams continued. “Art establishes peace in the world.”
Another artist who contributed their works to the exhibit was our very own Beth Stewart, a professor at Mercer University. Stewart uses her artistic abilities to empower a new way of thinking for viewers and interpreters. “Art making encourages synthesis of ideas in a very free manner that can lead to discovery and courage in the face of useful failures,” explains Stewart. Her belief is that when an individual generates art, they begin thinking in an altered way that will help them triumph over difficult obstacles.
In the upcoming months The 567 Center for Renewal will have several different art exhibits on display for students and community members, including a printmaking exhibit in September and a photography exhibit in October. The Center provides an opportunity to see local talent, learn more about the arts and self-expression, and become more involved in the Macon community.
For more information about the gallery of upcoming art events, contact the 567 Center for Renewal at The567.org or 478-238-6051.
Local professors’ artwork shines in “Art of the Academics” exhibit
“Art of the Academics,” a recent exhibit held at Macon’s 567 Center for Renewal, showcased the work of several local art professors. This piece, titled “Eye of the Tiger,” is the work of Dr. Marlin Adams, a professor at Gordon College.
