‘Birds and Snakes and Aeroplanes’

Folk art show opens in Harris Arts Center

An opening reception is set for Sunday, April 23, at 3 p. m. recognizing artists exhibiting in “Birds and Snakes and Aeroplanes,” which is on display in the Harris Arts Center, 212 S. Wall St. in Calhoun, Ga.

The exhibit runs through June 16. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays, 10 a. m.- 4 p. m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays.

According to Will Linn, the exhibit’s curator, the title is drawn from lyrics of the REM song “It’s the End of the World As We Know It.”

“Birds and Snakes and Aeroplanes” features paintings, sculpture, pottery and mixed media in works by seven artists. A portion of the display is devoted to a memorial retrospective of the work of folk artist Knox Wilkinson of Plainville, Ga.

Artist Kip Ramey pulls inspiration from folk tales and characters he encountered growing up in Northeast Georgia mountains. He does not limit his work to traditional canvases, as he has been known to paint on barn boards, culvert pipes, rusted metal and other reclaimed materials.

Self- taught artist Paul Jastram is known as “Calhoun.” Many of his paintings reflect his Louisiana upbringing through richly hued images of wildlife. He paints on diverse surfaces such as tin, wood, ceiling or roofing tiles and porcelain trays. He has chosen familiar Calhoun landmarks — Harris Arts Center, GEM Theatre and a panoramic view of downtown — to highlight in the show.

Larry Wilson began his pottery career upon retirement from civil service in 2007. His face vessels, story jugs and birds are heavily influenced by the traditional folk potters of North Georgia.

For more information: 706-6292599.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Potter Larry Wilson’s ceramic owl is among work by seven artists in the Folk Art Show in Calhoun, Ga.