The Pickens County Cultural Commission is pleased to announce the opening of three very special exhibitions at the Pickens County Museum of Art & History to run June 21-August 21, 2008. A reception will be held from 6-8 p.m., June 21, to meet the three artists featured in "Natural Impressions: Drawings & Paintings by Victoria Blaker", "Glenda Guion: Twenty Years of Ceramic Sculpture" and "Susan Lenz: Blues Chapel". All three exhibitions will continue through August 21, 2008.

"Natural Impressions"

Drawings & Paintings by Victoria Blaker

In "Natural Impressions" visitors will enjoy Victoria Blaker’s collection of oil paintings and quill & ink drawings representing a variety of subject matter. Her personal perception of the subject matter takes priority over realistic rendering, thus presenting the viewer with an alternative impression.

Blaker, who holds the MFA degree in painting from George Washington University, Washington, D.C., moved to the Greenville area in 1991. Before taking an extended break she exhibited in Washington D.C. and Virginia. She has been adjunct faculty in Furman University's Art Department in addition to teaching adult painting classes through continuing education programs at Furman and Virginia Tech.

About her work, Blaker says, "It is my hope that my paintings and drawings will create a sense of beauty and excitement, both through the subject matter and through execution of style. Energetic pen or brush strokes and movement of light direction often accompanied by thick paint is employed to help give each work a surface vitality that can further enhance the visual experience." She continues, "My goal is for every piece to pulsate with an artistic expression that is unique to my own intellect and perception."

Glenda Guion

"Twenty Years of Ceramic Sculpture"

Glenda Guion, living in Easley and teaching at the Fine Arts Center in Greenville had her last solo exhibition at the Pickens County Museum in 1988. Twenty years later we play host to her "Twenty Years of Ceramic Sculpture" exhibition.

Guion earned her BFA from Middle Tennessee State University and MFA from Clemson University, and has taught clay at the Fine Arts Center in Greenville for twenty years. She has been chairperson for Greenville Open Studios since 2004.

Guion’s work is included in numerous public collections including the South Carolina State Art Collection, the Pickens County Museum, Columbia College, Clemson University, Sumter County Museum of Art, and Middle Tennessee State University. Since her last one-woman exhibition at the Pickens County Museum in 1988, her work has been exhibited in over 100 regional shows, 19 national juried exhibitions, and 10 solo exhibitions. Two of her clay sculptures are reproduced in the book ‘Handbuilt Ceramics’ and three others are published in ‘500 Teapots’ (Lark Books). In 2004 she published the article, "Making an Ocean of Clay" in the July/August issue of ‘Pottery Making Illustrated Magazine’.

About her work Guion says, "The metaphysical enigma of ‘Spirit’ continues to interest me, as does psychoanalyst Carl Jung's notion of the ‘Shadow’. I hope to communicate in my work that which surrounds me both physically and mystically--from earth, gardens, and man-made forms to archetypal symbols and theories.’ She continues, "It is the contrast between the organic, the synthetic, and the psychological that interest me."

Susan Lenz

"The Blues Chapel"

Now living in Columbia, SC, Susan Lenz received her BA in Medieval and Renaissance Studies from Ohio State University in 1980. Somewhere along the way she discovered a love of embroidery and has grown this, mixed with a variety of other media, into a profound outlet for her creativity. She has studied under British fiber artists Valerie Campbell-Harding, Jean Littlejohn, and Jan Beaney. Lenz is a juried member of the Embroiderer’s Guild of America Fiber Forum and is listed on the South Carolina Arts Commission roster of approved artists.

Speaking of her "Blues Chapel" installation Lenz states, "Early female Blues singers lived in a male dominated society, in a segregated country, and worked in an industry that took advantage of their lack of education and opportunity. Physical abuse, drug and alcohol dependence, and poverty plagued most. They struggled, made sacrifices, and sang of their woes. They were exploited, mistreated, or simply neglected but their music is still played. The Blues helped change the world for today’s young, black, female vocalists."

A centerpiece of the installation, "Tapestry in Blue" honors twenty-four early female blues singers, depicted as saintly martyrs. The mixed media grouping takes the form of a traditional block pattern quilt with heavy ornamentation reminiscent of the lavish attire worn by Blues singers on the touring circuit. Music, candles, drapery, church pews, and a floral altar transform the space into a chapel like setting. Viewers are invited to pay their respects.

The Pickens County Museum of Art & History is funded in part by Pickens County, members and friends of the museum and a grant from the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Located at the corner of Hwy. 178 at 307 Johnson Street in Pickens SC, the museum is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Admission is free but donations are welcomed.

For more information please contact the museum at (864) 898-5963.

Victoria Blaker’s oil painting, "Blue Ridge Afternoon"

Victoria Blaker’s ink drawing, "Southwest Landscape"

Glenda Guion’s clay sculpture, "Moon Shadows"

Glenda Guion’s Clay Sculpture, "Seven Generation / Shadows"

Detail from Susan Lenz’s "Blues Chapel" installation

Billie Holiday panel from multi media fiber piece, "Tapestry in Blue" in Susan Lenz’s "Blues Chapel" installation

Through Aug. 21:

"Victoria Blaker: Natural Impressions"

"Glenda Guion: Twenty Years of Ceramic Sculpture"

"Susan Lenz: Blues Chapel"

Nov. 8:

A History of Catawba Pottery, presentation and lecture by Dr. Thomas Blumer; Display featuring examples of Catawba clay work will be on display during the preceding week. LaVonne Nalley Piper Auditorium, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Free.

July 21 - 25:

"Kid’s Art Camp - Exploring the Arts" with Renee Gillespie and Dale Stone at the Pickens County Museum. For children 8 - 12 years of age. Pre-registration is required. All supplies are included in the tuition of $170 for the week. Class size is limited so register today.

"Kid’s Art Camp - Comprehensive Fiber Arts" with The Fiber Friends Guild at the Hagood Mill Historic Site. For children 8 - 12 years of age. Pre-registration is required. All supplies are included in the tuition of $170 for the week. Class size is limited so register today.

"Hillbilly Music-Fiddling With Feeling II" Music workshop with award-winning instructor Nick Hallman in the LaVonne Nalley Piper Auditorium. Students 15 yrs+ bring your own fiddle, guitar, or banjo. First 2 hrs will be history & learning new tunes. Second 2 hrs will be question and answer with jamming and individual attention. 10:00 a.m.-noon, lunch break, continue 1:00-3:00 p.m. Lunch not included. Tuition $35. Pre-registration is required.

Aug. 21 & 23:

"Exploring Watercolor Workshop" Thursday 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Liz Smith-Cox Educational Studio. In this two-day workshop, instructor Dale Cochran will, on Thursday evening, discuss the supplies & tools he uses and then lead the students through an exercise that will blend a series of techniques to create a painting. Saturday will be a day of painting and critique with one-on-one instruction, demonstration and class discussion about problems and discoveries encountered while exploring watercolor. Tuition is $75.00 which includes basic supplies needed for the workshop. Pre-registration is required. Lunch not included.

"Just in time for the Holidays: Cake Decorating & Candy Making" classes with long-time Wilton certified instructor Nancy Anderson. Featuring the tastiest form of art, this class will be offered from 9:00 a.m-1:00 p.m. in the Liz Smith-Cox Educational Studio and will include 2 hours of basic cake decorating and 2 hours of molding and filling candy. All supplies will be provided by instructor. Pre-registration is required. Tuition amount will soon be available.