May Issue 2002
Pickens County Museum in Pickens, SC, Features
Works by Beth Regula and Members of the Plein Air Artist's Society
The Pickens County Museum of Art & History in Pickens, SC,
is presenting an exhibition of freestanding and wall mounted sculptures
entitled, Beth Bullman Regula: Polymer Works & More,
and Point of View, featuring works by members of The Plein
Air Artist's Society. Both exhibitions will be on view through
May 25, 2002.
"Things I think about and my reaction
to the physical world around me." These words by the artist,
Beth Bullman Regula, are apropos in describing her upcoming exhibit
at the Pickens County Museum of Art & History
Born and raised in the upstate of South Carolina, all Regula ever
wanted to do was "make things". She says it was lucky
for her that her parents were encouraging and let her fill her
room with her works of "art".
After receiving a BA at Winthrop University in 1971, she became
an art educator and taught in schools in South Carolina until
the late 1970's. Regula then moved to Atlanta, GA, where her experience
as an art educator was applied in the designing of computer-based
manuals and training programs. In 1983, Beth married and returned
home to Spartanburg, SC. She has, since that time, pursued her
career as a professional artist.
When asked about her work, the artist said, "My work in the
past ten years has changed from works on paper to works of polymer
clay. Since discovering this material, I have experimented with
using it to create relief paintings and most recently, small and
large sculpture works. This clay has given me a new way to involve
detail, texture, painting and sculpture techniques in my work.
The ideas and technical challenges involved in working with this
material keep me excited about my work. I feel that I have only
begun this phase of my artistic exploration."
"In putting this exhibition together, I discovered that the ideas or themes of the works could be divided into five categories; Spiritualism, Nature, Being Female, Habitats and Social Issues/History. The categories represent the things I think about and my reaction to the physical world around me."
As Spring arrives, the Pickens County Museum of Art & History is bringing a bit of the outdoors... "IN" as the artists of the Plein Air Artist's Society are coming "indoors" for a very special exhibition entitled, "Point of View," featuring a delightful collection of works.
Founded in the summer of 1998, the Plein Air Artists Society quickly grew from five to 14 dedicated artists by the end of the year. Now, 3 years later, the membership includes 24, most of them successful professionals, all of whom enjoy their recognition as serious landscape artists.
"The challenge of painting nature, directly, is one that this group of artists cannot resist. Every Thursday morning, weather permitting, members of the Plein Air Artist's group start setting up easels and laying out art supplies at a pre-destined location. Members, each using their choice of medium, sketch and then begin to paint a unique impression of the subject manner they see before them. Some choose watercolor or acrylics, some oils, others use pastels and some utilize a combination of media.
As the morning continues and the paintings take form, artists stop a moment to glimpse at what others have so far accomplished and then return to get a fresh look at their own efforts and go back to the process of painting. After working for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, the group breaks for a picnic-style lunch garnished with conversations relating to art. Finally, the artist's paintings, completed or nearly completed, are set up for the group to critique in a sensitive manner.
Members of the group participating in Point of View include Els Balsa, Judy Cromwell, Joe Goldman, Bob Martin, Lorraine Martinie, Renato Moncini, Chris Pelicano, Grace Scherer, Jo Ann Taylor and Barbara Van Gelderen.
Point of View
is presented, in part, through the sponsorship of Sealevel Systems,
Incorporated in Liberty, SC.
For more information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings,
call the museum at 864/898-5963 or e-mail at (picmus@co.pickens.sc.us)
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer
427, Bonneau, SC 29431
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E-Mail: carolinart@aol.com
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