Artist collective to display work at EAC

In yet another full-circle moment, the next art exhibition in The Kalmanson Gallery of Emanuel Arts Council will feature work by the artist collective that used to live in Emanuel County.

Emanuel Arts Council’s second exhibition in the Kalmanson Gallery will feature seven artists from the Stillmore roots as they are celebrating their 20th anniversary. A reception for the exhibition will be held on Thursday, March 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. The show is sponsored by the City of Swainsboro, the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce, and the Mill Creek Foundation. Refreshments will be provided by the Swainsboro Kiwanis.

Stillmoreroots, a rural arts advocacy group, will be exhibiting new work in an exhibition called “Common Ground/Common Thread.” Artwork in this exhibition is often experimental and reflective of the community, and addresses contemporary issues. The exhibition is a “homecoming” for the group which began in 2002 with an exhibition in the woods of Stillmore, Georgia. The group has hosted more than 30 shows across the United States, but most of their exhibitions have focused on rural communities and celebrating their stories. From 2003 to 2012 during the spring equinox, the group held an annual “Art in the Woods” exhibition on the land of Jane and Harry Purcell.

The artists included in this special exhibition at the EAC are Scott Dombrowski of Illinois, Anthony Faris of North Dakota, Jean Gray Mohs of North Carolina, Nick Nelson of Missouri, Desmal Purcell of the local area, Mary Valeria of Hawaii, and Brandon Tatom of Georgia. Faris, Mohs, and Purcell lived and worked in Swainsboro and served as members of the EAC. The group remains friends and colleagues; all the exhibiting artists work within and contribute to the arts within their own community.

The “Common Ground/Common Thread” theme reflects the artists shared values and aesthetics.

“We are so thankful to return to Swainsboro and show our work on this anniversary,” said Faris. “We love Emanuel County and are all so appreciative of the love, support, and friendship this community has shared with us.”

The exhibition will be on display from March 11 to April 25. Follow Emanuel Arts Council on Facebook or Instagram for updates, or call Executive Director Jacquie Brasher at 478-237-2592 for more information.

The Emanuel Arts Council, Inc. (EAC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to empower and grow the community through cultural programs in all areas of the arts. The EAC operates through donations, fundraisers, and grants. EAC Board President is Kenny Griffin, Desmal Purcell is Gallery Director, and Katelyn Moore is Secretary. Members of the EAC board serve on several other boards in the county including Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce, Historic Twin City, Sudie A. Fulford Community Learning Center, Pine Tree Festival, Downtown Development Authority, and the Emanuel Coalition for Cultural & Economic Development.