Abandoned Rural America 2 Reception

August 30, 2012, was the opening reception for the not-to-be-missed exhibit, Abandoned Rural America 2, The Small Family Farm in Transition, presented by the Madison Artists Guild with its exhibit partner and host gallery, The Steffen Thomas Museum of Art. This group- exhibit features paintings, photographs, and a film chronicling the changing face of rural Georgia as small family farms dwindle in number and are reclaimed by the forces of nature. Featured artists are Peter Martin Muzyka, Charles St. John Dyer, Don Jolley and Lisa Wheeler. All four artists bring their personal perspectives to the theme and reveal unique stories underlying the inexorable changing landscape of the rural south.

A treasure in itself, The Steffen Thomas Museum is located in the very heart of this southern rural landscape and was the logical choice for the ARA 2 exhibit, having previously opened in Milledgeville. Also lending its support to the show is the Madison-Morgan Conservancy, an organization that recognizes the importance of the history and future of rural Morgan County and the southern landscape in general. The Opening Reception for this important show was held at the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art on August 30, 6 p.m., and featured refreshments with a farmhouse flair and poignant roots music. The exhibit runs through October 27. The museum is located at 4200 Bethany Road, Buckhead, Ga., 30625. For information on hours of operation, membership, programs, directions, and future events, contact (706)342-7557, info@steffenthomas.org, or www.steffenthomas,org.

The reception photos above include some of the newest egg tempera paintings that I have created for the new ARA exhibit. Another ARA exhibit is planned for 2013 (TBA) with more new paintings, photographs, some additional artists and a new, updated variation of the video.