MACON – McEachern Art Center (the MAC) will present a summer gallery exhibition of four regional portrait artists, opening June 7 during downtown Macon’s First Friday.
Called “Portray,” the show encompasses a wide variety of works from artists of different creative backgrounds, subject matter and materiality. Beyond featuring the paintings created from the body of work of each artist, “Portray” will have interactive elements to engage with the concept of self-image. This includes suspended mirrors painted and designed in the style of each artist and photography at the gallery opening reception that will be used as inspiration for future portraits.
“Portray” features the work of local artists Micah Goguen, Amber McCants, Lauren Tanner and Kevin “Scene” Lewis. Each has been exhibited locally and nationally, and they teach art classes and craft pieces for private collections and public art.
Director Johnny Cohen says, “It is always exciting to connect with local creatives for the summer show. What I love about these artists is that they all focus on a similar subject matter, but execute their work in different ways.” Cohen calls the featured portraits “fascinating,” explaining that, “the versatility in portraiture gives the community a broad narrative to the complexity of brush to surface.”
Additionally, this show will usher the start of the new annual MAC Membership program, an opportunity for community members to gain special benefits and support the gallery’s future during its fifth anniversary.
An annual membership is $60 and entitles a patron to become a MAC insider with access to special pieces of art, exclusive events and interaction with other artists. Benefits include:
- 10% discount on all fine art in the gallery.
- 25% discount on MAC merchandise like T-shirts, vinyl stickers and more.
- One free piece of MAC merchandise with membership.
- A unique takeaway from every show, like a print or a special product created by the artist.
- Exclusive priority registration for artist talks and workshops.
- Workshop fees waived.
- Invitation to an exclusive MAC member celebration once a year.
Patrons can purchase a MAC membership at this link or in person at the opening of “Portray.”
“Portray” will have an opening reception from 6-8 p.m. on June 7 and will run until July 27. The MAC is located at 332 2nd Street, Macon, and is currently open summer hours: Thursday-Friday from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Admission is always free and open to the public. Media and educators may access the gallery outside of normal hours by appointment by emailing cohen_j@mercer.edu. Find out more at macmacon.com.
