Art Professor to Participate in “Hofwyl Paint Out 2024” Exhibition
College of Coastal Georgia Associate Professor of Art Aurora Pope will join local artists in a special exhibition entitled “Hofwyl Paint Out 2024” presented by Glynn Visual Arts. The exhibition will run from July 30 to September 6, and will provide art enthusiasts and the community with a unique opportunity to appreciate the skill and dedication of local and regional artists. Community members are invited to watch and learn from the painters, and meet the artists at the opening reception on Thursday, August 1, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Glynn Visual Arts, located at 106 Island Dr on St. Simons Island.
The exhibition will feature the plein air artwork from the 12th annual artists event that took place at Hofwyl Plantation honoring Albert Fendig. Fendig was a beloved local artist and the original preservationist at Hofwyl-Broadfield. Plein air refers to the practice of painting outdoors in the landscape and in the natural lighting of that scene. Pope and 15 other artists will display their most recent creations inspired by the Lowcountry landscape, centuries-old oaks, and historical buildings at Hofwyl.
Pope was encouraged to draw as a child, and over the years, her art has expanded to include paintings, 3-D artwork, and more. Nowadays, Pope enjoys doing mixed media art because it allows her to experiment with different materials.
“I’m currently working a lot with organic materials—mushroom spore prints, eco-prints, artists’ books made with driftwood covers, etc.,” she said. “Technically, I’m supposed to be a painter, but I’ve spent the last few years working with just about everything else.
Pope’s submission for the exhibition will be a drawing. She doesn’t do plein air art often, but when she does, it happens at Hofwyl. Her past plein air art has focused on the magnificent trees and the marsh. For the exhibition, she is looking forward to attendees leaving with a greater appreciation of their surroundings.
“I hope events and exhibitions like this encourage our community to appreciate and care for each other and for the environment we get to enjoy,” Pope said.
At the College, Pope teaches a variety of art courses, such as art history, drawing, and design. She loves to see students get excited about art and explore their interests further.
“If all I accomplish here is to awaken imagination and curiosity, I feel I’ll have made a difference,” she said.
The artists featured alongside Pope are Lori Ann Sweet, Kay Deuben, Jennifer Broadus, Jenny London, Midge Bovino, Eileen Berta, Jeanne Leonard, Aurora Pope, Susan Newman, Phillis Harrell, Charles Bleau, Suzy Dmetruc, Georgia Netherton, Abby Howard-Murphy, Kathy Erickson, and Rick Poole.
The featured artwork was created by Aurora Pope on graphite paper.