The Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries at NWF State College Announce New Exhibitions
February 7, 2018
NICEVILLE, FL– The Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries are proud to present the 2018 Arnie Hart Juried Student Exhibition and Arts Faculty Exhibition, March 30 – April 27, 2018.
Each year the finest student works are juried by an art professional for the Arnie Hart show, and this year’s field of applicants promises a competitive selection process and an exciting exhibition in the McIlroy Gallery.
This year’s judge is Erin McIntosh, an artist and educator living in Athens, Ga. She holds dual BFA degrees in Studio Art and Art Education and an MFA in Studio Art from the University of Georgia, and currently serves as Assistant Professor of Art at the University of North Georgia. McIntosh’s work focuses in abstraction exploring biomorphic and geometric forms. Her works are based in aqueous media including acrylics, inks, watercolor and gouache. Her paintings have been published and exhibited widely. She is represented by Gregg Irby Gallery in Atlanta, Ga. McIntosh will curate a selection of student work in drawing, painting, mixed media, photography, digital art, sculpture and ceramics.
Accompanying the Arnie Hart Exhibition in the Holzhauer Gallery will be the annual Faculty Exhibition, showcasing the work of NWF State College faculty in the arts.
Jean Hart, wife of the late Okaloosa-Walton College art instructor Arnie Hart, provides an annual gift to help fund the Arnie Hart Juried Student Exhibition. Hart, popular and influential for his “cracked pottery” style, taught at OWC from 1966 until his untimely death in 1999. His wife Jean and several friends established the Arnie Hart Art Scholarship Endowment in his memory to honor his longtime devotion to his students.
“The students and their artwork were always so important to Arnie. He wanted his students to find the same fascination, the same challenge, the same enjoyment. That’s why sponsoring the student show in his name is important,” said Jean when the endowment was established. Mrs. Hart’s generous gift allows seven cash prizes to be awarded to student artists continuing their education or embarking on their careers.
This celebration of student artists kicks off Friday, March 30, 5-7 p.m., with an opening reception and awards ceremony (both free and open to the public), and runs through April 27. The Arnie Hart and Faculty Exhibitions will be open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and 90 minutes prior to most Mattie Kelly Arts Center performances.
For more information about the galleries or the Arnie Hart show, please contact K.C. Williams, Gallery Director, at (850) 729–6044 or [email protected].