FINE ARTS

THE

Cotton South
STORY BY:

Fine Arts Festival

eautiful, historic Madison will be the place for fine art lovers this fall, as The Cotton South Fine Arts Festival makes its debut Sept. 28-29. Bringing the work of more than 120 artists to the downtown area, The Cotton South Fine Arts Festival will be the first of its kind in the Lake Country, says Tim Reilly, festival organizer. Reilly has sought out and invited niche artists whose mediums encompass oil, pastels, watercolor, sculpture, glass, 2-D and 3-D mixed media, ceramics, jewelry, photography and metalwork. In all, 23 different categories of work will be featured at the festival. Nationally and regionally renowned artists like Anne London, Jean Yao, Frank Strunk III and Thomas Lott will be coming to Madison for the first time, and Reilly is rolling out the red carpet in anticipation of a great show of gallery-quality work. This is such a diverse show, and Im really excited that were hosting it in Madison, Reilly says. I didnt want to duplicate any show that was currently available we needed this to be something that people hadnt already seen. Were going to be showcasing some of the best artists in the country. While the show draws artisans from all over the nation, its the aspect of the shows name, The Cotton South, which gives this festival a distinctive Southern flavor. Many of the festivals artists already call Georgia home, including Aaron Hequembourg of Monticello, Peggy Martin of Buckhead, Len Jagoda of Waverly Hall, and Charles Pinckney of Athens.

REBECCA RAKOCZY

For example, the work-worn face and arthritic hands of a man holding cotton bolls set against salvaged bead board and hymnal pages is quintessentially representative of Aaron Hequembourgs mixed media work (see above). Inspired by the empty sharecroppers homes on his wifes circa 1815 farm, Hequembourg uses salvaged materials to capture the spirit of another time and the people of the South. Fine jewelers working in gold, copper, titanium and sterling silver will be among the featured art-

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ists at the festival. Working in 14-carat gold and using the lost wax technique (bottom image, opposite page), Florida jewelry artist Thomas Lott will be offering his stunning wearable art including Aurora Borealis, a hand-forged 14-carat gold piece set with a 16.79 carat boulder opal and diamonds. Charles Pinckney of Athens brings a primal mascu-

life, with her giant pastels watercolor and charcoal images of big cats taking center stage at the festival (left center). London has a passion for the conservation of endangered species and has been a professional artist for almost 40 years. London works with conservation groups such as the Black Rhino Foundation and the Ann Van Dyke Cheetah Center. Less exotic, but no less stunning is the sculpture and artwork of Len Jagoda, who captures the essence of the hunting life in his sculpture of dogs and his portraits of horses (see sculpture, bottom

line energy to his metalwork jewelry, with forged and carved titanium as one of his metal choices for his pendant titled, Fire; while local Buckhead artist Peggy Martin uses her metalwork jewelry to evoke a sense of playfulness for her metal mask pendant necklaces. (top of page) Speaking of primal, the work of Louisiana artist Anne London captures the heart and soul of African wild-

of page). Festival goers also can expect a wide variety of acrylic, oil, and watercolor pieces, as well as the 2-D and 3-D work. The brilliant hues of Carol Swayzes acrylic underwater fish seem to leap from the paper (above, right center); while Illinois artist Jane Johnsons orange poppies pop off the page in brilliant color contrast with the more somber tones of Richard Augers black and white photography. In other categories, festival goers will enjoy the giant woven baskets of artist Jean Yao, and the distinctive

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glass, wood and metal sculptures of Charlottesville, Va. artist Holly Olinger, who tells a story with each piece.Yao weaves her designs, such as the show-stopping basket, My Fair Lady, out of cocoanut and palm fronds. Both Olinger and Yao have received accolades in their respective categories in festivals across the nation. Several of the artists will demonstrate their artistic techniques during the weekend. Thats a plus for Reilly, who hopes to inspire a future generation of artists who visit the festival. Working with Morgan County schools, the show also will highlight student artwork in a special exhibition in Town Park. Reilly says, I wanted to get the art students in close proximity to the professional artists, in the hopes that a few of the students might see art as an enjoyable, and potentially lucrative, career. Artwork will be displayed in tents, but their gallery-like settings will give festival-goers the feeling of visiting an array of exquisitely arranged art galleries, Reilly says. A preview party for festival artists, sponsors and VIPs will take place on Friday evening, Sept. 27, after artists set up. The party will give sponsors and VIPs an opportunity to view and purchase the best works of the show ahead of the festival crowds. It will also afford the artists an opportunity to mark their ballots for the cash prize awards. Sponsors of the festival include High-Horse Productions, LLC (Reillys company), Vivid Events, Smith Communications, Madison Perk Avenue and Town 220 Restaurant. Admission is $10, and children under 12 years old are free when accompanied by an adult. Admission includes a special discount at Madison restaurants, shops and accommodations. The Cotton South Fine Arts Festival will be from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29. For more information, go to www.cottonsoutharts.com or call 706-3422050. v

Top right: My Fair Lady by Jean Yao. Bottom right: Rejections Des Moines 2009 by Holly Olinger

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