If you go
› What: Icon exhibit by The Three Graces.› When: Today, Aug. 11, through Sunday, Sept. 18. Opening reception, 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12. Gallery hours are noon-5 p.m. Thursday-Friday and Monday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday (all times Central).› Where: Artisan Depot Gallery, 204 E. Cumberland St., Cowan, Tenn.› Admission: Free.› Phone: 931-308-4130.› Website: www.fcaguild.wordpress.com.
The Three Graces, as they’ve been dubbed by an instructor, will open a show of iconography explorations today, Aug. 11, at the Artisan Depot Gallery in Cowan, Tenn. A reception with the artists – Anna Kathryn Anderson, Patricia Underwood and Nancy Jean Wallace – will follow Friday, Aug. 12.
All are Cowan-area artists who over the past three years have focused their talents on iconography with instructors Sandy Kezar and Martha Keeble.
Icons that appear to be paintings are actually considered to be contemplative writing, according to a gallery spokesman. Iconography is a method of painting religious representations done in tempera that emerged as early as the 4th century from Catholic and Greek Orthodox traditions. The modern tradition is based on what has come before but encourages self-discovery and incorporation of new artistic ideas. In this art form, gestures, objects and color all have meaning, and styles vary from culture to culture.
Anderson takes much of her inspiration from Ethiopian artists. Underwood works in Russian and Byzantine themes. Wallace uses the Russian style to tell a story.