Steve Hinton & Friends … From the Beginning is entering its final two weeks at the Albany Museum of Art. The multi-gallery exhibition closes on Saturday, Aug 12. The AMA, open 10 am-5 pm Tuesdays-Saturdays, is located at 311 Meadowlark Drive, and admission is free for everyone.

The 2002 Georgia Artist of the Year, Hinton painted and drew characters and landscapes for nearly a half-century, employing a vibrant color palette that brought his observations and imagination to life. He was known for being able to capture the essence of his subjects—many of whom were his friends—on canvas. Dogs, including his beloved pet Jupiter, also can be found in many of his works.

“In each and every one of our programming efforts, the AMA strives to tailor experiences that make visitors say, ‘I feel this place is for me,’” Executive Director Andrew J. Wulf, Ph.D., said. “This exhibition has witnessed over the last three months an enthusiastic stream of visitors who knew Steve Hinton, artist and friend, or who see themselves, literally, in these works, or, who recognize the familiar and beloved landscapes of this region. It has been an honor to show the work of this original artist.”

The exhibition has been popular with summer museum visitors who have taken the opportunity to see this unique convergence of Hinton’s artworks, which are part of the collections of dozens of individuals.

"The museum would like the opportunity to extend our appreciation to the more than 50 individuals, families, couples, and regional organizations who so generously loaned their private collections to us for this exhibition,” Director of Curatorial Affairs Katie Dillard said. “More than 140 original works by Steve Hinton and his friends are on display because of these generous lenders.

“We would especially like to recognize the unwavering support of Mrs. Bronwyn Hinton who championed this exhibit project since the beginning, establishing every connection, and bringing this exhibition together. She's brought friends and family both near and far to the AMA almost every week since its opening, promoting the AMA and this exhibition of her late husband’s lifetime of work."

Hinton’s work conveys a sense of whimsy and joy, whether it is a pack of pet dogs enjoying a summer pool party, a family celebrating Christmas in their living room, a South Georgia sunrise peeking through a stand of cypress trees, or the simple act of a woman checking her mailbox Playfulness and a joyful heart come through on the canvases, along with the feeling that the viewer is getting a sly, playful wink from the artist.

In addition to Hinton’s work in the Haley Gallery, where his artwork is grouped according to the stages in his career in which they were created, works by friends he inspired and who inspired him are on view in the East Gallery.

For those who want to get an inside look at how an artist sets up to work, Hinton’s home studio has been recreated in the Hodges Gallery, which also features a multimedia presentation of work by his friends. The looped presentation includes music by Chip Epsten, The Method Actors, and Clyde (Edgerton) and the Rank Strangers; spoken word recordings by Edgerton and O. Victor Miller; the short film Tricks by Beaty Reynolds and Chris Graves, and two stop-action animation films, Landings and IGS Particles, by Lily Ericsson.

Some may also wonder what type of art an artist collects. Artworks from the Hintons’ personal collection are on view in the upstairs McCormack Gallery.

A native of Chattanooga, Tenn., Hinton earned an art history degree from Vanderbilt University, where he and Bronwyn were classmates, in 1974. They married and moved to New York, where Steve painted and showed his work out of a Chelsea studio while working for Frank Macintosh and Peter Barton at Henri Bendel.

In 1982, the Hintons moved to Albany, where Steve worked at his family’s business before launching his career as a full-time professional artist in 1997. He continued painting and drawing until his passing in February 2021.

In addition to Steve’s influence as an artist, both he and Bronwyn have been integral supporters of the Albany Museum of Art for decades, serving in a number of critical capacities, and selflessly working at fundraisers and events. Steve, a lifetime member of the AMA Board of Trustees, also served for a period as interim director of the museum. In 2022, the Hintons were honored by the Friends of the Albany Museum of Art organization as AMA Treasures with a tribute video.

Through their deep involvement in the community, they have supported numerous causes and organizations, including Steve’s instrumental role in bringing a Georgia Public Radio station to Albany.

AMA EXHIBITIONS

• Steve Hinton & Friends … From the Beginning is in the Haley, East, McCormack and Hodges Galleries April 20-Aug 12, 2023.
• Escape Plan, Installation by Elinor Saragoussi, is in the West Gallery.