The Florence Regional Arts Alliance is pleased to collaborate with the Florence County Museum and introduce a new exhibition in the Florence County Museum Waters Gallery. The Legacy exhibition, traces the influence and legacy of Ansel Adams in the work of 5 local women artists. It is the second exhibit in the newly restored space following the Pee Dee Regional and will run April 10 - June 28.
Legacy features the work of Tari Federer, Kathleen Kennebeck, Elizabeth Kinser, Julie Mixon and Allison Triplett. In the Fall of 2014, Julie Mixon, Assistant Professor of Art at Francis Marion University, took the students featured in this exhibit to the Eastern Sierras of California for a trip she titled: The Ansel Adams Experience. The project title references one of the most revered photographers of all time. In short, Ansel Adams was a pioneer in the world of photography, specifically in landscape photography. Adams is revered for his complete dedication in every step of the photographic process and is known for his majestic landscape images of the American West. During this travel experience, the group went to places such as Yosemite National Forest, Mono Lake, Bodie Ghost Town and surrounding areas.
One of the goals of this trip was to experience just a little bit of how Adams created his iconic images by using a large format film camera. Students were also encouraged to photograph using digital means and emphasis was placed on creating images that define their personal vision and interpretation of the Eastern Sierra landscape.
The exhibit title references the enduring importance of the teacher-student model. The artists featured in this exhibit have a lineage to Ansel Adams because of the passing of information. One of Mixon’s professors of photography (Gilbert Leebrick) was inspired by Adams and learned much directly from him. In turn, Leebrick shared this information and inspiration with Mixon, which she has shared with her students. This legacy of information will continue with the artists featured in this exhibit. The hope is that the students will take these fundamental techniques and ideas which have been passed on and apply them to their own purposes in image-based media.
The students’ trip was funded by Francis Marion University’s REAL (Ready to Experience Applied Learning) Grant Program, which is designed to enhance the student’s learning through nontraditional learning and learning, which takes place outside of the classroom.
The Florence Regional Arts Alliance hopes Florence County will enjoy these encounters five local artists have captured. The exhibition will feature a looped video chronicling the artists’ stories and experiences. The Alliance invites the viewer to connect with the artist by hearing their story and hopefully providing a deeper level of understanding between the gallery visitor and the artist.
The Artist Reception for this exhibit will coincide with the Florence Regional Arts Alliance’s Arts Awards Presentations on May 12 in the Waters Building at 6pm. These prestigious awards annually recognize the important contributions that individuals, groups and businesses make to the cultural life of our community. This event and exhibit is made possible through the generous support of individual donors and the sponsorship of First Reliance Bank and She Magazine.
The Florence County Museum Waters Gallery is located at 135 South Dargan Street. The Legacy exhibit is open to the public and free of charge from Tuesday through Saturday from 10am – 5pm and on Sundays from 2pm – 5pm.
The Florence Regional Arts Alliance is a community-based local arts agency that serves the citizens of Florence County and the Pee Dee. It strives to promote the arts as a catalyst for community cohesiveness, educational advancement and economic growth. For more information on the Arts Alliance or its programs please visit www.florenceartsalliance.org or call director, Mrs. Uschi Jeffcoat at 843.407.3092.
 |
| Photo by Julie Mixon |
 |
| Photo by Julie Mixon |
 |
| Photo by Kathleen Kennebeck |
