Hixson art class opens new show in North River Civic Center

Twice a week, a group of eight to 12 local artists meet at North River Civic Center to paint the human form. Specializing in portraiture, they named themselves About Face, but their work isn’t limited just to humans.

That’s why their new show at the Hixson civic center is titled Art Medley because it’s a show-and-tell on a variety of subjects they’ve captured in a various mediums. The exhibit is on view now through the end of February.

“This show began with paintings of local musicians, many of whom the artists had seen in concert here at the center or other places in town,” says Linda Rugina, executive director of North River Civic Center. “Then it expanded to include landscapes.

“Art Medley takes you on a journey through landscapes depicting the Hudson Highlands, Chickamauga Park, Pigeon Point lighthouses on the coast as well as the Tennessee Aquarium and Blue Bayou.”

In addition to Rugina, artists with work included in the exhibit are Curtis Baggett, Suzy Baggett, Jo Ann Bracey, Nancy Diwan, Lee Fritch, Madeline Gavin, Judi Hostetter, Polly Kettenring, Rena Malone, Carol Ruocco, Maggie Tung and Geri Bauhaus Williams.

Bracey’s contribution is a watercolor of a trumpeter and titled “In The Mood.” She painted it from an old photograph a friend gave her when she began a series on musical instruments.

“His expression!” she recalls enthusiastically. “To me, he was so into the music.”

Bracey joined the Hixson group 20 years ago after retiring from First Tennessee Bank. She waited until her daughters were grown before learning to paint so she could devote the time to art she believed it warranted, she says.

Once a week, the class pays a model $40 to pose for them, she says, and the cost of the fee is divided among the number of artists in class that day. The model might be a friend of a class member, a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga student, someone wearing the uniform of an interesting occupation or even a stranger that a member thinks has an intriguing look.

In Art Medley, visitors will see examples of how different artists have interpreted the same model, says Rugina.

Bracey says that, since the class is limited to two hours, many artists will snap photographs of the model or make pencil sketches, then paint the subject at home. She says everyone is welcome to the class, regardless of skill level. The only rule is that each artist must bring their own materials; nothing is furnished.

“There is no instruction, but if you ask someone how to make a piece better – to take a look at your work so it’s seen with a fresh pair of eyes – they will help. We have some members who have taught art previously and they are very good with that.

“We just want everyone to enjoy art like we do,” says Bracey.

Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.