SGA's SPOTLIGHT Exhibition
OCTOBER 14-NOVEMBER 30 2022
SGA Founding Member Gary Covell
Sponsored by Bob and Terri Wilk
"I started out drawing what I saw around me in everyday life. When I began to read, I liked action/adventure, war and science fiction stories. I collected comic books and illustrated my own short stories. I’m mostly self-taught. Family members gave me large rolls of paper on which I drew out stories.
As a child, I was hospitalized with a weak lung. A kind Doctor drew my portrait and that experience motivated me to later draw portraits.
After a tour of duty in the US Navy I settled in Savannah with its rich artistic history. In the mid 90’s while working in an unrelated field, I sold my first piece of art. It was a pencil portrait drawing done while I sat on a sidewalk of Riverstreet.
I’ve drawn portraits at the city market in Charleston S.C., and on the beach in Waikiki in Hawaii.
Some of the art events I’ve participated in are the Arts on The River, festivals in Savannah, the annual Sunshine Art Festivals on St. Simon’s Island and other art events around Savannah, Tybee Island, Richmond Hill and Bluffton, S.C.
I was a member of the Savannah Art Association and joined their co-op, the Gallery on Chippewa Square. When this gallery closed, I became one of the 8 founding members of the Savannah Gallery of Art in September of 2021.
I draw what I see. For example, portraits, landscapes, man-made landmarks, still life's and nature are done mostly with pastel, graphite, or watercolor. I've begun experimenting with acrylic abstract painting recently and I enjoy the feeling of balance or sometimes an imbalance, with color, composition, mediums, and tools.
My abstracts relate to my previous work in that I first develop an idea in my mind's eye. I begin the process by drawing a rough outline and then adding paint and materials to my plan. Sometimes I don’t even have a goal as I start an abstract. I just let the mediums tell their own story. I let them flow and swirl from the container, brush, or tool and in no form or direction. I throw, pull, scrape, mix and push colors and items until the object conveys its own truth. Experiencing and studying life on its own terms including language, music, art, history, philosophy, and nature continue to inspire my creativity. I also enjoy learning guitar and singing."
GCovellFineArt@gmail.com
http://www.instagram.com/GaryCovellFineArt
As a child, I was hospitalized with a weak lung. A kind Doctor drew my portrait and that experience motivated me to later draw portraits.
After a tour of duty in the US Navy I settled in Savannah with its rich artistic history. In the mid 90’s while working in an unrelated field, I sold my first piece of art. It was a pencil portrait drawing done while I sat on a sidewalk of Riverstreet.
I’ve drawn portraits at the city market in Charleston S.C., and on the beach in Waikiki in Hawaii.
Some of the art events I’ve participated in are the Arts on The River, festivals in Savannah, the annual Sunshine Art Festivals on St. Simon’s Island and other art events around Savannah, Tybee Island, Richmond Hill and Bluffton, S.C.
I was a member of the Savannah Art Association and joined their co-op, the Gallery on Chippewa Square. When this gallery closed, I became one of the 8 founding members of the Savannah Gallery of Art in September of 2021.
I draw what I see. For example, portraits, landscapes, man-made landmarks, still life's and nature are done mostly with pastel, graphite, or watercolor. I've begun experimenting with acrylic abstract painting recently and I enjoy the feeling of balance or sometimes an imbalance, with color, composition, mediums, and tools.
My abstracts relate to my previous work in that I first develop an idea in my mind's eye. I begin the process by drawing a rough outline and then adding paint and materials to my plan. Sometimes I don’t even have a goal as I start an abstract. I just let the mediums tell their own story. I let them flow and swirl from the container, brush, or tool and in no form or direction. I throw, pull, scrape, mix and push colors and items until the object conveys its own truth. Experiencing and studying life on its own terms including language, music, art, history, philosophy, and nature continue to inspire my creativity. I also enjoy learning guitar and singing."
GCovellFineArt@gmail.com
http://www.instagram.com/GaryCovellFineArt
SGA's SPOTLIGHT Exhibition - May 2nd through June 15th 2022
Jamie Azevedo and Lino Azevedo
Sponsored by Herdman Powell Family Fund
Opening "Meet the Artists" Reception - May 13th 6-8pm
Lino and Jamie will be donating 10% of all their art profits to CARE’s Ukraine Crisis Fund.
This organization will provide food, water, psychological support, and cash assistance to those affected by the Russian invasion.
SGA will be matching their donation as well.
This organization will provide food, water, psychological support, and cash assistance to those affected by the Russian invasion.
SGA will be matching their donation as well.
Jamie Azevedo
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Jamie Azevedo is a fine art photographer and native North Carolinian. She is a published artist whose work has been shown in galleries throughout the United States and in Europe. Jamie has been the recipient of grants from generous organizations such as the Bush Foundation and the North Dakota Council on the Arts. Her work often includes themes such as feminism and spirituality.
This current body of work entitled, “Anchoresses” broaches both topics. Anchoresses were religious women who chose to lead a life of prayer and meditation while being walled inside a church or cathedral. Many claimed to have mystical experiences where they transcended their small cells and connected with God. One famous Anchoress was Julian of Norwich, who wrote, "The Revelations of Divine Love" in the 14th century. Julian's greatest insight was that only love existed, and we must work to be more compassionate and forgiving. While this practice ended in the Middle Ages, what benefits does one experience when they decide to shut out the noise of our busy world and go inward? How can a strong practice of becoming higher-minded impact our and others lives in a more enlightened way? "Anchoresses," is meant to entice the viewer to consider how incorporating a more contemplative approach to life can help them to transcend the worldly entanglements in which they think they exist. Each piece represents what Anchoresses probably experienced while living the life of a hermit. Undoubtedly, there were moments of terror, loneliness, isolation, claustrophobia, and pain. But historical documents record that some Anchoresses evolved past all these difficulties to experience peace, joy, transcendence, and enlightenment. |
Lino Azevedo
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Lino Azevedo was born in the 1970’s to Portuguese immigrants near the city of San Francisco. Being an artist herself, his mother taught him to paint at a very young age. Since then, he has dedicated himself to art. Lino earned his BA at San Jose State University and his MFA from Winthrop University.
Having a passion for helping other artists on their journeys, he has taught students of all ages and skill levels for over 15 years. Currently he teaches foundation studies at SCAD. Lino is an award-winning artist whose work has been published and shown in the United States and abroad. His gallery representation includes the Portuguese American Art Gallery which is sponsored by PALCUS and the Portuguese Embassy in Washington, DC. Lino’s work consistently focuses on social issues and power imbalances. His current series is entitled, “Lobotomy”. These paintings are an examination of how we dumb ourselves down with the overuse of technology and consumer mindsets, and therefore fall prey to the profit motive as top priority in our society. In a culture largely structured to value profit over people, “Lobotomy” asks the viewer to consider how we personally contribute to the continuation of this model, and how to stop it. |
SGA's SPOTLIGHT Exhibition - February 2022
Steven S. Walker and Amanda Lovett
Sponsored by Century 21 Solomon Properties
STEVEN S. WALKER
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Steven S. Walker has been creating inspiring works of art for corporations and private collectors for over twenty years. He earned his bachelor’s degree in fine arts at Virginia Commonwealth University with a concentration in illustration. He would later earn his masters in fine arts from Marywood University.
As a full time artist, Steven has been included in several local and national juried competitions including the Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional, Salon and National, Richeson 75 Landscape Competition, Plein Air Salon, the International Salon and the Art Renewal Center. Steven also had the privilege of being a part of a statewide traveling exhibition with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Most recently Steven's career has included plein air events including Plein Air South, Forgotten Coast Plein Air, Georgia Colors and the Olmsted Invitational (which earned him a judge's award from the editor of art collector magazine). Steven continues to work hard on the advancement of his career, with the assistance of his lovely wife Evelyn and studio assistant/daughter Poppy. Currently, his work is represented in Kentucky, Washington State, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Oklahoma and Washington, D.C. “ I didn’t come from a family of artists; I wasn’t top of my class or win a lot of awards but I’ve always had a strong work ethic and the passion to work on my craft.” – SW |
AMANDA LOVETT
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Amanda Lovett’s family recognized there was a creative career in her future when her childhood doodles were actually detailed sketches of her father’s horses.
Amanda attended the Atlanta Portfolio Center where she studied Art Direction, Graphic Design, Photography and Illustration and joined the advertising firm of McDonald and Little as an Art Director at the young age of 19. She thrived in her creative role and gained invaluable experience and education in the position, giving her the confidence to start her own successful agency when McDonald and Little was later purchased and moved to New York. In 1998, Amanda attended a watercolor landscape class with Frank Broadhurst, who she would later credit for starting her on a path as a painter. In 2004, after recently switching her focus to oils, Amanda made the commitment to going Pro. With a never ending desire for growth, Amanda has studied under some of the country’s top professionals. This love for learning has driven her to continue her education at every opportunity and has translated into the desire to share her knowledge with others. She currently teaches workshops at venues across the southeast with a series of subject matters developed to build the core skills necessary for growth at any level. Amanda has been accepted into numerous national and regional shows and organizations, as well as earning her Signature Status with Oil Painters of America and being named one of the “11 Artists to Collect Now: The Emerging Plein Air Painters You Need to Know” by Plein Air Magazine. She is currently represented in several art galleries across the country. Through her art, Amanda captures the vibrancy and energy most people miss in the simple moments of life. |
December 2021 Spotlight Artist - William Kwamena-Poh
Sponsored by Crystal Beer Parlor
William Kwamena-Poh, born in Ghana, West Africa returns to the home he left 40 years ago to photograph contemporary scenes that captivate him.
When he returns to Savannah, Georgia, he illuminates these proud descendants of the African diaspora; sunlight plays across the dark backs of muscled fishermen, women rest in quiet contemplation, and the atmosphere of the bustling market nearly crackles under his brush strokes.
His work evokes a deep response to this place and these people who have historically been disenfranchised. Kwamena-Poh's powerful art connects us across our cultural differences.
When he returns to Savannah, Georgia, he illuminates these proud descendants of the African diaspora; sunlight plays across the dark backs of muscled fishermen, women rest in quiet contemplation, and the atmosphere of the bustling market nearly crackles under his brush strokes.
His work evokes a deep response to this place and these people who have historically been disenfranchised. Kwamena-Poh's powerful art connects us across our cultural differences.
