After many years living in New York City, nationally known artist Byron Keith Byrd now calls Florida home, but he gets back to his native North Georgia as often as he can.
"Because my studio is located in Fort Lauderdale, I travel between there and New York depending on career demands," says the LaFayette High School graduate. "Most recently, I have added North Georgia to the mix since I was raised here and enjoy visiting family."
He'll be back in LaFayette on Saturday for a fundraiser for the historic Marsh House, a Civil War-era home turned museum and events venue. A selection of his original works and limited-edition prints will be featured in an exclusive art exhibition presented by the Marsh House board of trustees.
Byrd says he's particularly excited to showcase a few select original works in the Greek Revival-style home, especially "Lookout Mountain," a 54- by 71-inch oil on canvas that evokes the signature landmark in abstract form. It will hang in the main entrance hallway.
It's thrilling, he says, to see the juxtaposition of "contemporary paintings on the walls and/or easels with the vintage antiques as a glorious backdrop."
Also on view will be paintings from several private collections in the area, including those of Grace Westbrook of Chickamauga, Georgia, Leah Burney of Chattanooga and Lynne Murkerson of LaFayette.
"All original works and limited-edition prints will benefit this treasured locale," he says of the Marsh House, built in 1836.
Officially known as the Marsh-Warthen House, the storied structure sits across North Main Street from Chattooga Academy and John B. Gordon Hall, where Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg planned the Battle of Chickamauga. Union soldiers occupied the Marsh House during the war and left behind blood-soaked floors and hoof prints in the main hall. The house is open seasonally for tours and special events.
Dr. David P. Boyle, president of the board of trustees, says funds raised from the exhibition will go toward ongoing restoration efforts for the historic property.
"It has been fully restored, but a 200-year-old house always has things happening," he says.
Byrd says his participation in fundraisers such as this comes down to a single guiding principle: "As an artist, I believe it is my obligation to share what I do to give back to others."
If you go
› What: Byron Keith Byrd art show and sale› When: 2-5 p.m. Saturday, June 8› Where: Marsh House, 308 N. Main St., LaFayette, Georgia› Phone: 706-764-2801› Online: www.marshhouseoflafayette.org, www.byronkeithbyrd.com
However, he had various reasons for settling on the prints he would offer.
He cites animal rescue as "perhaps [his] favorite cause," but last year he donated an original canvas to the American Cancer Society for a black-tie auction in Chattanooga. He's releasing prints of that work, a fluid pink floral titled "All That Jazz," in memory of his brother, Jerry Byrd, who died of lung cancer in August.
The print "Lotus Haven," depicting peafowl, was selected as "the most meaningful image" for the event, he says, "as one might imagine a parade of peacocks meandering around the elegant estate."
And the final print available, "Baby Lamb," came back into his life as "a complete surprise," he says. "Relatives recently discovered approximately 50 of my artworks in storage, so I felt strongly about including these last few to this venue."
The original lithograph, depicting a fuzzy, floating lamb tethered by strings, was inspired by the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He completed it in 1981 for his first show in Manhattan.
All of the prints are on acid-free archival paper and are priced between $200 and $300, he says. Anyone who can't make the exhibition may still inquire about a purchase by contacting the Marsh House at 706-764-2801.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.