PICKENS, SC - The Pickens County Musuem will host several exhibits and programs in the coming months. Three featured artists include...
PICKENS, SC - The Pickens County Musuem will host several exhibits and programs in the coming months. Three featured artists include “Michel Bayne: Clay Canvas,” “Jeanet Dreskin: The Vastitude Paintings” and “Deborah Pagano: Narrative Collage & Assemblage.” All three exhibitions will continue through February 14, 2008.
"Clay Canvas," Southern Folk Pottery by Michael Bayne
Living in Greenville, SC, and making pottery since the 1980s, Michel Bayne makes historically-inspired, slip-decorated stoneware, keeping alive a long-standing tradition that has existed in the early-established communities of folk potters throughout the Southern regions of the United States.
About his pottery Bayne says, “My work reflects an intense interest in history and folk life in the 19th century. The forms I create are reminiscent of vessels made in South Carolina; their shape is so round and full. I have taken the traditional designs using incising or colored slips to a more complicated level of detail. It is inspiring to think of daily life in an unspoiled America and I have a deep yearning to have lived during that time. I’m hoping to inspire Folks today to think about their American heritage.”
"The Vastitude of Paintings," by Jeanet Dreskin
Living in Greenville, SC, Jeanet Dreskin’s work has been featured in more than fifty One woman exhibitions in a variety of venues including, the Columbia Museum of Art, SC; the Lowe Gallery, New Orleans, LA; the Greenville County Museum of Art; the Georgia Museum of Art, Athens, GA; Furman University; Clemson University; the Asheville Museum, NC and more. Her paintings can be found in the permanent collections of the National Museum of American Art, Washington DC; the Georgia Museum of Art, Athens, GA; The Greenville County Museum of Art, Greenville, SC; the E. Hampton Museum, NY; the Zimmerli Museum, New Brunswick, NJ; the Gibbes Museum, Charleston, SC; South Carolina State Art Collection; Texas Art Association Collection, Austin, Texas; Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), Imperial Chemicals, Manchester, England; J. Strobel of W. Sohne, Munich, Germany and many more public and private collections.
Her accolades include awards and selection into exhibitions at the American Contemporary Exhibition, Palm Beach, FL and New York, NY; National Academy of Design, New York, NY; International Grand Prix, Cannes, France; Isette Colle Di Roma, Rome, Italy; Jehanger Gallery, Bombay India; Butler Institute of American Art, Youngston, Ohio; Broome St. Gallery, New York, NY to name but a few. In 2004, the Governor of South Carolina awarded her the Elizabeth O'Neil Verner Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts.
Jeanet received her B.F.A. from Tulane University and her M.F.A. from Clemson University as well as her Medical Art certificate from John Hopkins University. She also studied at the NY Art Student League. She teaches at the (Greenville County) Museum School of Art and has taught at the SC Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities and for the University of South Carolina.
When referring to her work, Dreskin says, “In my paintings I develop layers of transparency to create a sense of growth and uninhibited flow. As in nature’s cycle, these shapes that I paint are often eroded and destroyed before being recreated from within. In the ‘Williwaws’ series the elements of wind and water, quiet and turbulence intermingle at various levels of perception to create a sense of uninhibited flow. In contract to these cheerful, happy paintings, my ‘Sere’ series deals with the somber effects of man’s encroachment and waste of our environment. In the drawings and paintings, I try to visually express this 21st century dilemma. I have been exploring concepts of birth, growth and life in a land of environmental destruction.” She continues, “With fluid and merging shapes, I develop levels of perception of the constantly changing earth and water forms. Looking inside of the beauty and vastness of those forms, I find the inner erosion and destruction presented in the series.”
"Narrative Collage and Assemblage," by Deborah Pagano
Living in Clemson, SC, Deborah Pagano studied painting and illustration at the University of Connecticut where she received her Bachelors of Fine Arts degree. She has furthered her studies in mixed media art techniques at the Greenville Museum of Art in SC and Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN. She has over fifteen years experience as a freelance illustrator/graphic artist and as an art instructor for both children and adults, teaching at both public and private institutions. In 1995 she transitioned over to collage/assemblage after acknowledging a love for ephemera.
“My work,” says Pagano, “incorporates found objects and multiple paint & paper layers to create rich textures that convey fragmentary messages and stories to be completed by the viewer. I thrive on the beauty of decay, multiple layers and rich textures that can be found in old books, rusted objects and organic matter. Vintage photographs are often included because of the emotions that they can be made to convey.” She Continues, “My work deals with issues that I have been confronted with and for which I feel strongly about. Creating visual commentary on contemporary issues brings me a sense of calm and relief.”
A member of the National Collage Society, Pagano is a co-founder of The Arts Center in Clemson, SC.
“Deborah Pagano: Narrative Collage and Assemblage” is sponsored in part by The Reserve at Lake Keowee Community Foundation.
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.
The Pickens County Cultural Commission meets at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month at the Museum.
Upcoming Events
"The Prince of Dark Corners" a play about the life of Lewis R. "Major" Redmond, Pickens County’s most famous Outlaw. The Birchwood Center of Arts & Folklife and the Pickens County Museum are hosting the play, originally aired SC-ETV and UNC-TV, by Gary Neil Cardens in the Museum’s LaVonne Nalley Piper Auditorium. During the reception meet the author as well as the actor who plays Lewis Redmond. A limited number of tickets for the Friday 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 3:00 p.m. live performances are available at $20 each and may be purchased at the Museum.
May 1:
Well known local author, George Singleton ("The Half Mammals of Dixie: Stories", "Why Dogs Chase Cars: Tales of a Beleaguered Boyhood", "These People Are
Us: Short Stories" and "Drowning in Gruel: Biography") will be reading from, and signing copies of his books from 5:30 until 7:00 p.m. in the LaVonne Nalley Piper Auditorium. Bring a copy of one of his books you have already purchased or buy one this evening from the Museum Shop.
March 6:
An Evening of Poetry, Prose and Performance.Featuring students from the School District of Pickens County as part of Pickens County Youth Arts 2008. 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the LaVonne Nalley Piper Auditorium.
May 10 & 11:
POP Open Studio Tour. The Pickens County Museum of Art & History is partnering with Blue Ridge Arts Center, the Pendleton District Commission, the Arts Center in Clemson and the Artists' Loft Cooperative for this first annual Pickens, Oconee, Pendleton District Artists Open Studios. During this premier two-day event participating artists in the three counties, representing a variety of media, open their studios to visitors. Maps will be available at any partner site.
The "Deep Winter Blues" at the Hagood Mill. Need a cure for those wintertime blues? Get out of the cabin and join the friends of the Pickens County Museum as "Music in the Mountains" continues with entertainers warming up the landscape with some Piedmont, gospel, folk and traditional blues music. Hosted by SC Folk Heritage Award winner, Steve McGaha performing with fellow "bluesman," Michael King. 12:00 to 3:00 in the Visitor Center.
March 15:
"Log Cabin Jam & Open Stage" at Hagood Mill. Hosted by mill site manager and musician, Eddie Bolt, this is an opportunity for the mill site’s "regulars" and visitors to get up and share some tunes. 12:00 to 3:00 Outdoor stage (weather and temp. permitting…Visitor Center if inclement).
April 19:
"An Afternoon with Alda & Norma Smith" at Hagood Mill. Alda Smith, a SC Folk Heritage Award winner and recipient of the SC Order of the Palmetto, will perform with his band. His wife, Norma, will perform with her student choir. 12:00 to 3:00 Outdoor Stage.
May 17:
"A Spring String Thing" at Hagood Mill. (Performers to be announced) 12:00 to 3:00 Outdoor Stage
March 11-April 24:
Spring Session Art Classes with Instructor Renee Gillespie (Washington College, Chestertown, MD; School of the Art Institute of Chicago.). This six week session will skip April 10 due to workshop. Offerings will include Watercolor (Adults), Acrylics (Adults), and additional children’s and adult classes to be announced. Pre-registration is required.
March 29:
Award-winning basket maker, Pati English will conduct two workshops in basket weaving. One four-hour session from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and one six-hour session from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. As requested by several of her students, Pati will offer an "Easter Basket" as one of the options. Pre-registration is required. All basket making materials and printed instructions with color photographs are included in the registration fee.
"Exploring Watercolor Workshop" Thursday 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 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.
"Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge" Photography Workshop, with instructor Clay Bolt, at Table Rock State Park, sponsored by the Pickens County Museum of Art & History. Participants will enjoy learning more about many of the species of wildflowers found in the Blue Ridge Escarpment and ways to make stunning images of their favorites. This class will focus on camera techniques, composition and a variety of different ways to approach subject matter. No previous experience is required but participants must bring their own cameras and related supplies. Students will use the stunning natural landscape of Table Rock State Park as their "classroom". Pre-registration is required. Tuition for the class is $50, payable to the Pickens County Museum. The day of the class, students will need to pay the $2 entry fee into Table Rock State Park.
May 7-28:
"Copper Foil Stained Glass" with award winning artist, Samuel Hodge. This four-class series will be held from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. on each Wednesday in May. Students will be able to complete several projects. Tuition for the series is $175 with all the initial supplies provided by the instructor with sources for additional materials as classes’ progress. Pre-registration is required
All classes will be held in the Liz Smith Cox Educational Studio (unless otherwise noted). For more information please contact the museum at 864-898-5963.
Upcoming events at the Museum:
The work of Deborah Pagano
“Narrative Collage & Assemblage”
“The Vastitude Paintings”
Jeanet Dreskin
Southern Folk Pottery by Michel Bayne
“Clay Canvas”