February Issue 2002
Florence Museum in Florence, SC, Opens African American and Watercolor Exhibitions
Two major exhibitions open on Feb. 3 at the Florence Museum, in Florence, SC, including the Traveling Exhibition of the South Carolina Watercolor Society and The View From Here, an exhibit by four African American artists from the Pee Dee area of SC. The Museum also recognizes African American History month with a display of paintings by William H. Johnson and a display of a diorama depicting the lifetime of George Washington Carver.
The View From Here features artists who work in or build upon African American Folk Art traditions. Woodcarver Walter Cooks of Hartsville, SC, includes figures inspired by traditional African art in his large sculptures and in his small utilitarian walking sticks. Cornelius Gore of Aynor, SC, paints religious subjects in a bold, colorful, expressionistic style. Carolyn Govan is an art educator from Hartsville, SC, who, like William H. Johnson, uses a simplified folk style in her paintings. Neil McClendon of Cheraw, SC, paints scenes of African American life in a unique sculptural style; many of his paintings include relief sculpture that literally comes right off the canvas. Cooks, Gore, and McClendon are self taught artists, and all the artists are inspired by the traditions of folk art.
The traveling exhibit of award winning paintings from the 24th Annual Exhibition of the South Carolina Watercolor Society sponsored by First Union Bank is a popular annual exhibit which gives Florentines a chance to see aqua-media paintings which are judged to be among the best in the state. Myrtle Beach, SC, artist Alex Powers received the Best in Show award for One and All and Florence, SC, artist Ann B. Finch received the Society of Bluffton Artists Award for one of her paintings which is also part of the traveling exhibit.
The Museum will recognize African American History Month with a diorama depicting the lifetime of George Washington Carver and the exhibition of the three William H. Johnson paintings in its collection, including the rarely exhibited Evening. William H. Johnson (1901-1970) was born in Florence County and is the most famous African American painter from South Carolina. His work is an important part of the collection of the Smithsonian Institution and was made familiar to many South Carolinians with an exhibit at the State Museum in Columbia in 1997.
For further information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings or contact the Museum at 843/662-3351 or e-mail at (flomus@bellsouth.net).
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