It’s showtime at the Etherredge Center

Two new art exhibitions, by USC Aiken trained artists, opened at the Etherredge Center Aug. 17 and will remain through Sept. 25.

The downstairs show, entitled “Faces and Figures,” features paintings and sculptures by a long time Aiken artist, Andrew Murphy. The loft gallery above houses a show called “Painting at a Distance,” with works by Amy Ness, Rich Klein, Joya Jimenez-DiStefano, Marilyn Hartley and Dawn Beckering.

Many Aiken community members, including Murphy, and artists whose work shows upstairs, have taken painting classes with Professor Joseph Kameen of the USCA Fine Arts department.

Katie Kameen, M.F.A., the Etherredge Center Gallery Director, is in charge of displays. She wrote that her “goal is to exhibit artwork from different types of artists who create work on a variety of topics and concepts that are relevant in the issues we are dealing with today.”

Although Murphy planned this show a year ago, his chosen portrait selections met a current need to see faces in a time of facial deprivation on campus.

After having planned a figurative, representational show upstairs, Ms. Kameen observed those artists’ work evolve via social media. Over the summer, that work expressed each artists’ pandemic and quarantine experiences.  The show’s focus then changed to display those experiences and speak to the importance of creating within a group with feedback from peers.

According to Ms. Kameem, “Viewing art is beneficial for everyone no matter their interests. We can see what is important to the artist and consider how they see the world. Students could also discover a desire to create while looking at a piece of art, and the art department is open to majors and non-majors!” She curates eight to 10 exhibits per year.

With each artist’s work shown, a statement offered insights to the work. Future gallery visitors may monitor current and upcoming gallery shows at this website: https://www.usca.edu/etherredge-center/the-gallery.