Exhibits, poetry, theater, more: It’s a busy weekend in the arts scene for Macon
It’s a smorgasbord offering of local artists’ work at gallery openings Friday and one of the best chances to see locals who’ve been at it a long time.
It’s also a chance to see the work of others who’ve only picked up a brush in the last couple of years.
There’s a special theater offering, too, but let’s dive into the art world first.
Portrait art exhibit in downtown Macon
“Portray,” a portrait exhibit featuring, opens at 6 p.m. with a reception at the McEachern Art Center, 332 2nd St. The show features four well-known area artists, Amber McCants, Kevin Scene Lewis, Lauren Tanner and Micah Goguen each presenting portrait work representing an array of styles using various materials and media from oil to watercolor to mixed media – with an added surprise.
“This is some of the strongest work I’ve seen from our community,” said McEachern director Johnny Cohen. “Not all of the artists are known primarily as portrait artists but part of the appeal is getting to show some of their work previously not shown in galleries. The way each executes their work is so different and versatile it’s really amazing to see and to have them all together.”
Cohen said there are immersive aspects to the exhibit and that during the Friday reception, two photographers will take pictures of those attending who want to have shots made for potential use by artists as the basis of a future McEachern exhibit.
“June’s exhibit is our end-of-the-season show and we weren’t originally planning a portrait exhibit but it just came together in such a beautiful way,” Cohen said. “We had about 80 applicants and the final result is really spectacular.”
After Friday, “Portray” runs through June during gallery hours. Admission is free. Friday will also be a good time to find out about the McEachern’s new added-value membership program. For more on the gallery, the membership program and the June exhibit, go to their site at www.macmacon.com.
More than a dozen artists featured by Macon Arts Alliance
The Macon Arts Alliance, 486 First St., also presents a group show, “The Summer Exhibition,” but featuring a remarkable 19 artists with all but three living in Macon and Middle Georgia. The show obviously revolves around a summertime theme and its opening reception is Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.
Macon Arts curator Sierra Bush said the exhibit features portraits, landscapes, still life works and more. It includes work in a wide variety of mediums, some quite unique. Like the McEachern show, several of the artists teach privately and in area schools, churches and at various galleries and art centers.
The artists themselves range just as widely in experience, from many who’ve been working at their art since they were youngsters to others who’ve only recently taken it up. That includes Brandi Vorhees, who began creating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The show runs through June during regular hours but there is an added Juneteenth exhibit set for the front of the gallery June 12-21.
Find out more about the Arts Alliance and exhibits at www.maconartsalliance.org.
Middle Georgia educator’s art exhibit
The 567 Center opens “Yo Te Veo. I See You,” a solo exhibit of paintings and linocut prints by Valerie Aranda, who teaches at Middle Georgia State University. Meet her and enjoy light refreshments at the reception Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at 456 First St. Admission is free and the exhibit is on display through June 28 with gallery hours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Also, it’s time to discover downtown Macon’s art treasures on Saturday during the 567’s annual “Great Art Hunt.” Get a map and tote bag with clues to search out all of this year’s 20 mural and sculpture art stops, take a photo of your team with each art discovery then send them in for a chance to win a week on St. George Island or a $100 gift card for art classes.
There are also mini-art prizes to be found along the way. The hunt kicks off at the 567 between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. when you can also pick up a T-shirt. Teams have until 7 p.m. to complete the hunt and e-mail photo proof. Participants are encouraged to stop and enjoy a meal of goodies at downtown establishments along the way during the typically three to four-hour hunt. Team registration costs and other information for the exhibit and the hunt are available at www.the567center.org.
Poetry readings at Green Light Gallery
While you’re on 1st Street’s gallery row Friday, drop in the Green Light Gallery for a local artist showcase featuring John Wilson and poet-artist John Charles Griffin with poetry readings and showings of visionary art during a meet-and-greet, book-signing reception from 6-9 p.m. Green Light Gallery artist-owner Hazel Caldwell’s work will also be on display.
The gallery is at 452 1st St. More information on the gallery is at www.greenlightartgallery.com and Griffin’s site is www.dirtroadvisionary.com.
Last chance to see ‘12 Angry Jurors’ in Macon
As for a theater note, it’s the final weekend for Theatre Macon’s production of “12 Angry Jurors” directed by guest director Jim Crisp, Theatre Macon’s now-retired founding artistic director.
“It was a wonderful feeling, it felt like coming home,” Crisp said. “I felt very welcomed and supported. You know, I wanted to do something with an ensemble cast and I’d had in mind to do ‘12 Angry Jurors’ years before I retired but never got the chance so this was just perfect and what a great cast to do it with.”
Crisp said some of the cast members were new to him and to Theatre Macon, but others were those he’d worked with for years, some even when they were just youngsters starting out in theater.
“It’s a wonderful mix of those we’ve nurtured through the years and those new to the stage,” he said. “It’s important we continually welcome new talent. And as for the audience, anyone who loved the original television play or the movie with Henry Fonda or the stage play that came after that will definitely love this. And if you’re not familiar with it at all, what a treat you have in store.”
Crisp said he still loves directing but is glad he’s not doing it 24/7 these days.
“That’s the way it used to be but now I’m glad to have room in life for so many other things,” he said.
Information on Theatre Macon is at www.theatremacon.com.
Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.
