It’s been a while since I’ve written an arts column, and it’s time to bring it back. Welcome to the first edition of ArtScene.
Augusta has some amazing visual artists, and there’s usually some exhibition opening reception on First Friday. Feb. 4 is no exception.
4P Studios at the 600 Broad Gallery will present a portrait exhibition. The show opens Feb. 1 and continues through Feb. 25. An opening reception will be from 7 to 9 p.m. First Friday, Feb. 4.
The reception provides the chance to meet the artists and purchase their works. Participating artists include Christina Rice, who along with Francie Klopotic are exhibition coordinators, as well as Alexandréa Johnson, Amethyst Robinson, Audrey Jacobson, Ava Smith, Avery Prather, Chanel Woodruff, Darby Spencer, Ethan Moore, Katherine Schiller, Lea Rigdon, Leslie Hamrick, Mikey Lindsey and Parker Grantski.
[adrotate banner=”51″]
The gallery will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and by appointment. Call (706) 267-6724 to schedule an appointment.
The Morris Museum of Art at One 10th St. always has some type of activity or exhibition underway.
A popular event at the museum is the Sunday Artrageous! program which has been offered the first Sunday of the month for years.
The museum offers free admission on Sundays.
This month’s Artrageous! pairs a story about famous street artists with a kid-friendly spray paint art event. The program will begin at 2 p.m.
Speaking of the Morris, the 29th annual black-tie gala is coming up at 7 p.m. March 4.
According to the Morris website, it promises to be an “exquisite evening of fine food, entertainment, dancing and art, celebrating the exhibition Immersed in the Seasons: Paintings by Luke Allsbrook.”
The deadline for entries to the annual Porter Fleming Literary Competition is Feb. 11.
The contest has four categories — fiction, nonfiction, poetry and one-act play — and offers awards of $7,000 in cash.
Additional information is available at the Morris Museum of Art’s website, themorris.org.
Also this weekend is the 22nd annual Aiken Antique Show at the Aiken Center for the Arts, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
[adrotate banner=”55″]
The show will be Feb. 4-6 and features “vintage pieces for gardens in addition to high-quality antique furniture, silver, paintings, lighting, jewelry, rugs and more. Visitors will be able to engage with antique dealers from across the Southeast. All proceeds from the Aiken Antique Show will benefit the Aiken Center for the Arts,” according to a news release.
The Show and Sale will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, and Saturday, Feb. 5, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6. Tickets to the Show and Sale cost $15 per person and include admission all three days. The Show and Sale will be at the Aiken Center for the Arts, 122 Laurens St SW in downtown Aiken. The Cocktails and Collectors Preview Party will be 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, and offers patrons an opportunity to preview and purchase items in a festive atmosphere.
Tickets to the Preview Party are $60 per person or $50 per person for members of the Arts Center. To welcome back this wonderful event, two $500 shopping sprees, generously donated by York Cottage Antiques, will be given away the night of the Preview Party.
And one last mention for an event coming up Feb. 10.
John Stoney Cannon will have an art display at Art and Soul in Aiken with an “opening shindig” from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 10.
Cannon, the author of “Hooked Onna Feelin’” which chronicles pop rock through the decades will have a “crazy, cool fun playlist of music” in addition to his art, according to the Facebook event.
If you have upcoming arts exhibitions or related events, please email to them me at charmain@theaugustapress.com
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
