"LaGrange National Biennial showcases contemporary art from 39 states"
“The LaGrange National Biennial continues to attract some of the finest and most exciting new works by professional artists from throughout the country,” he said. “While we do not assume that this exhibit is a definitive representation of the new directions of American art, it is testimony to the diversity and vitality of current visual expression.”
The Lamar Dodd Art Center and LaGrange Art Museum are joining forces once more to co-host the 16th LaGrange National Biennial. The exhibitions officially open at 6 p.m. Feb. 26 at the LaGrange Art Museum, and juror merit awards will be announced that evening. LaGrange College music student and guitarist Griff Parrish will be playing during the opening reception.
The exhibition features the works of 110 artists from 39 states and the District of Columbia. The art was selected by the juror, Dr. J. Richard Gruber, retired director of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans. Paintings, prints and drawings will be exhibited at the art museum, 112 Lafayette Parkway, while photography, sculpture, ceramics and decorative art will be shown at the College’s Lamar Dodd Art Center.
John Lawrence, Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Art and Design, said the event is upholding its tradition of excellence.
“The LaGrange National Biennial continues to attract some of the finest and most exciting new works by professional artists from throughout the country,” he said. “While we do not assume that this exhibit is a definitive representation of the new directions of American art, it is testimony to the diversity and vitality of current visual expression.”
Owen Holleran, curator of collections at the art museum, agreed. “This provides an opportunity for the community to view and appreciate work by emerging and established artists,” he said. “The LaGrange National provides the citizens of West Georgia and East Alabama access to current artistic efforts from throughout the United States; offers the artists exhibition opportunities and purchase possibilities; and affords the LaGrange Art Museum and Lamar Dodd Art Center a means for the development of significant collections of contemporary American art.”
Some of the artists appearing in the exhibition include Fernando Delgado, an art director and photographer from New York; Amy Guidry, of Lafayette, La., who has exhibited her paintings throughout the country; New York artist Gail Postal, whose works consist of mixed-media paintings and is influenced by religious icons; Brian Rust, Professor of Art at Augusta State University, whose works consist of large-scale sculpture and temporary installations, and Ronald Riggs, a photographer from California.
The art will be on display at both venues through April 19. Complimenting this exhibit, the Cochran Gallery at 4 East Lafayette Square will present “The Director’s Eye.” For this exhibition, the art museum’s new Executive Director Megan Johnston has selected previous Lagrange National Purchase Awards from the collections at the museum and Lamar Dodd Art Center.
For more information, call the Lamar Dodd Art Center at (706) 880-8211 or the museum at (706) 882-3267.