“Rossville Remembered” artist reception is June 1

“Rossville Remembered,” an original art exhibition by 1962 Rossville High School alumnus Jim Harris, will be displayed June 1 through Aug. 31 at the 6th Cavalry Museum in Fort Oglethorpe.

This oil painting collection is of iconic Rossville landmarks from Harris’ high school years, the late ‘50’s to early ‘60’s.

The artist reception is Thursday, June 1 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to this free event to meet the artist and see the exhibit. “Rossville Remembered” paintings by Jim Harris (aka “Geeko”)

“The Jo-Ann” an iconic ladies clothing shop with personal customer service

“MelloKreme” Walk-up ice cream, milkshake, soda shop in Fort Oglethorpe

“Lake Winnie” ferris wheel, lake and midway “Bumper Cars” at Lake Winnie “Filling Station” gas station on Chickamauga Avenue

“Roy’s” iconic grill (B&W with red accent color)

“Rebel on Boulevard” popular cruise-in, hangout for teens, had car hops

“Rebel in Fort Oglethorpe” popular cruise-in, hangout for teens, had car hops

“Dream Cream” iconic walk-up ice cream, milkshake, hamburger place

“Downtown Chickamauga” early/ mid 50s, main street, notice theater

“Christmas Parade” annual parade featuring the high school band and a convertible provided by Bert Brown Ford Company (on-loan from private collection)

“Wrecker” well known local wrecker service (on loan from private collection of Peggy Russell Jones)

“Country Store” located in Rock Spring, country grocery and dry goods (in color) About the artist: James F. Harris, PhD

Harris retired in 2004 after selling his business. Although he had many years with a hobby of woodworking, he wanted to find additional avenues for activity and expression.

Harris first enrolled in a basic drawing class at Northwestern Technical College, and found this to be a very intriguing activity that subsequently developed into another hobby. At the age of 61, he enrolled in painting classes under the direction of local artist Durinda Cheek.

Harris continues to paint, as he says ‘strictly for relaxation.’ He loves painting with oils using the mid-20th century as his main subject matter. He particularly likes to paint “things” from his teen years of the late 50’s and early 60’s. Although he paints in colors, Jim has developed a real appreciation for painting in black and white, in keeping with that period. He often signs his paintings as “Geeko.”

Jim is a local native of the Rossville and Chickamauga areas. He is a USMC veteran and a 1962 graduate of Rossville High School. He and his wife reside in Chickamauga. They have two daughters and three granddaughters.

“My education,” he said, “is in business management, spent a number of years in the local banking field, served as the first city manager of For Oglethorpe, owned, operated and retired after I sold ATC Healthcare Staffing in Chattanooga.”

Ridgeland High partnered with the 6th Cavalry Museumfor an exhibition featuring more than 80 pieces of original artwork that memorialize the 100th anniversary of the United States entering World War I. The Army Post at Fort Oglethorpe trained soldiers, medical personnel and officers for that conflict and also had the largest POW camp in the country. The exhibition of works by Ridgeland High School students opened with an artists’ reception at the 6th Cavalry Museum in Fort Oglethorpe. More than 100 school officials, family, friends and the public attended. “The exhibition has 75 pieces of original student artwork using acrylics, chalk pastels, mixed media, spray paint and watercolors. Art I, Drawing & Painting and Advanced Art students participated,” said Erika Couey, fine arts chair and visual arts instructor. The exhibition will be on display through November 2017. Left: Senior and AP art student Alyse Keith is shown with Fine Arts Chair Erika Couey in front of her artwork titled “Heroic Song of Hope” and “Sketchbook Journal.” Right: Students, parents and the public enjoyed the reception while viewing the exhibition.