Opening Reception: Thursday, December 12, 2024 | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Tom Francis
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Celebration
Color as Light
Paint as Language
Wisconsin born artist Tom Francis is a Professor of Painting at SCAD-Atlanta. He received his B.S., M.A. and M.F.A. degrees in Painting from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Francis’ paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the United States and abroad, including the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis; The High Museum of Art in Atlanta; MOCA-GA in Atlanta; Montgomery Museum of Fine Art in Alabama; the Georgia Museum of Fine Art in Athens; the Columbia Museum of Art in South Carolina; the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum in Biloxi, Mississippi; Fay Gold Gallery in Atlanta; Sylvia Schmidt Gallery in New Orleans; KLIM Galleries in Toronto, Canada; and the Chapelle de la Sorbonne in Paris; Refectoire des Jacobins in Toulouse, France; and Palazzo Venezia in Rome; Westmont Museum of Art, Santa Barbara, CA.
In addition, his work is in numerous private, public and corporate collections, including those of the Chase Manhattan Bank, Champion Corporation, Savannah College of Art and Design, Lorimar Productions, Disney Corporation, Coca Cola USA; the State of Georgia, and the State of Wisconsin.
Francis’ paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the United States and abroad, including the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis; The High Museum of Art in Atlanta; MOCA-GA in Atlanta; Montgomery Museum of Fine Art in Alabama; the Georgia Museum of Fine Art in Athens; the Columbia Museum of Art in South Carolina; the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum in Biloxi, Mississippi; Fay Gold Gallery in Atlanta; Sylvia Schmidt Gallery in New Orleans; KLIM Galleries in Toronto, Canada; and the Chapelle de la Sorbonne in Paris; Refectoire des Jacobins in Toulouse, France; and Palazzo Venezia in Rome; Westmont Museum of Art, Santa Barbara, CA.
In addition, his work is in numerous private, public and corporate collections, including those of the Chase Manhattan Bank, Champion Corporation, Savannah College of Art and Design, Lorimar Productions, Disney Corporation, Coca Cola USA; the State of Georgia, and the State of Wisconsin.
Tiago Magro
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Life is Nothing but a Souvenir
Mixed media artist born in Brazil with a work that exudes 80’s and 90’s influence whilst captivating a modern palette and refreshing energy.
He has worked in the urban environments of New York, Miami and Brazil, using varied materials (including stencils, spray paint, epoxies, varnishes and newspapers) to convey love and passion for life.
“I love the emotion of being able to relate to each of my pieces and each piece is ultimately a part of me. I want my art to express and reflect who I really am. In most of my work I use mixed media and experiment with different elements along with color but being Brazilian does play a major part in each stroke given, understanding, living, loving and learning from art. It expresses who I am. It’s my soul. My ultimate goal is to inspire, to have individuals want to feel superior about themselves and contribute to having them follow their dreams… I don’t do art I live art.”
He has worked in the urban environments of New York, Miami and Brazil, using varied materials (including stencils, spray paint, epoxies, varnishes and newspapers) to convey love and passion for life.
“I love the emotion of being able to relate to each of my pieces and each piece is ultimately a part of me. I want my art to express and reflect who I really am. In most of my work I use mixed media and experiment with different elements along with color but being Brazilian does play a major part in each stroke given, understanding, living, loving and learning from art. It expresses who I am. It’s my soul. My ultimate goal is to inspire, to have individuals want to feel superior about themselves and contribute to having them follow their dreams… I don’t do art I live art.”
C West
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I call it... Heart Marks
C WEST (b. 1997) is a singer-songwriter and abstract artist born and raised in Buffalo, NY now residing and painting out of his small garage in Atlanta, GA. C WEST was an art and vocal major at both the Buffalo Academy for Visual & Performing arts and Villa Marie College. He began his music and art journey at the age of 12 listening to and creating sketches of his favorite artist, Michael Jackson. Music has always been his first love while art was another way he loved to express himself. In 7th grade he won the City of Buffalo’s art show for a portrait of Barak Obama he sketched. In 2016 he signed his first record deal with a major label. Music was his focus for several years until something horrific happened in the year of 2022. C West and his family became very sick due to the exposure of black mold. During this time C West found it very challenging to function as normal due to severe eczema covering his entire body. He struggled to get out of bed, clothe himself, walk around, play with his children and spend time with his wife due to the pain he was in. While he believed for God to heal him, he also needed an outlet to take his mind off of the pain he was in. Painting became that outlet for him. C West found healing through painting, and now he wants nothing more than for his art to provide healing to the world around us. When he’s not working on new music, or a new piece of art, he’s most likely spending time with his wife (Katie) and his two sons (Zion and Ezra).
Aida Alarcón | Juleah Everglade | Isabella Martino
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Group Exhibit: |
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Three women who are artists, close friends, and UNG Alumni moved into the same home in Gainesville, GA during the end of summer in 2023. Their home quickly became a working studio and place of solace - filled with sleepovers on the couch, hosting intimate get-togethers, binging NPR Tiny Desks, elaborate meals made from scratch, and late-night painting sessions … all leading to the conception of this body of work.
We each completed a self-portrait with the intention of defining our own narrative in how we are presented to the world. Whereas the portraits we depict of each other reveal the unfound beauty that we don’t always see in ourselves. This act of deep understanding highlights how women embody the capability to form meaningful relationships and truly witness their friends. This collection of paintings features nostalgic iconography and personal mementos that all pertain to where we came from and where we are now, reflecting on girlhood and memories we’ve made together as women.
How I See Her actively references themes of healing while celebrating the inner child, the power of female friendships, and romanticizing this experience of living life together.
We each completed a self-portrait with the intention of defining our own narrative in how we are presented to the world. Whereas the portraits we depict of each other reveal the unfound beauty that we don’t always see in ourselves. This act of deep understanding highlights how women embody the capability to form meaningful relationships and truly witness their friends. This collection of paintings features nostalgic iconography and personal mementos that all pertain to where we came from and where we are now, reflecting on girlhood and memories we’ve made together as women.
How I See Her actively references themes of healing while celebrating the inner child, the power of female friendships, and romanticizing this experience of living life together.
About the Artists
Aida Alarcón
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Aida Alarcón is a 26-year -old Live Event Painter, Muralist, and Digital/Graphic Artist based in Gainesville, Georgia. Since earning her Bachelors of Arts with a concentration in Digital Arts from the University of North Georgia in 2021, Aida has been carving out her path and cultivating her artistic voice. Her journey began in collage with freelance projects, and she has since expanded her creative practice, drawing energy from the stories and moments around her to craft works that are as lively and unique as the experiences they capture.
Specializing in live event painting, Aida brings events to life through her expressive use of color and movement, transforming fleeting moments into lasting visual narratives. She also creates large-scale murals that infuse local spaces with warmth, personality, and energy, while her digital and graphic art explores new dimensions of creativity. Alongside her personal practice, Aida works as a seasonal art instructor, sharing her passion with others and nurturing the next generation of artists. She draws inspiration from the stories, memories, and emotions that shape one's life, using saturated hues to evoke energy, connection, and depth. Her long-term vision is to open an art studio and cafe- a creative haven where visual artists, performers, and underground creatives can come together, explore their potential, and thrive in a supportive , community-driven environment. |
Juleah Everglade
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Juleah (b. 1999) is a visual artist currently working in Oakwood, Georgia. Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Art Marketing from The University of North Georgia in 2021, she quickly dove into her solo art career in Atlanta while simultaneously growing her art business. She has immersed herself into the Atlanta art scene by exhibiting work in spaces like The Bakery, Mint, South River Art Studios, and Azjio Gallery. Juleah also involves her local community in her art practice by hosting art events like paint classes, kid art programming, art markets, and more through her mobile, creative event service - Southern Misfit Studios.
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Isabella Martino
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Isabella Fiorenza Martino (b. 1996) is a painter and draftswoman based in Oakwood, Georgia who specializes primarily in portraiture. She began painting in 2017 and graduated from the University of North Georgia in 2019 with a Bachelor’s in Studio Art, and with minors in Chemistry and Anthropology. In addition to working in a custom frame shop as a certified framer, Isabella sells her personal works and is also commissioned for portraits by those in her community, with past projects including the cover art for the debut album of a local musician and a memorial portrait honoring a late UNG professor for the department of chemistry. Her careful attention to detail and rich use of color are distinguishing traits of Isabella’s portraits. She prides herself in capturing not only the likeness of her subjects, but most importantly, their spirit.
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