The Albany Area Arts Council proudly presents our 24^th Annual Southwest Georgia Regional Fine Art Exhibition and Sale. Largely sponsored by our annual Empty Bowls event, this premiere event is the largest art exhibition and sale in the area. Annually, it gives stage to talented local artists; showcasing an expansive regional collection to the community. This year’s exhibition features 52 artists and 103 works of art.

The exhibit opens to the public Thursday evening June 6, 2024 with a reception at The Albany Area Arts Council’s Carnegie Library Gallery from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  The opening reception will include an awards presentation at 7:00 PM. The reception is open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy this celebration of our local arts culture.

Artwork entered into the competition is jurored for cash prizes. Juried categories include painting / drawing, photography / digital art, and sculpture / ceramics. Prizes are awarded for first, second, and third place winners as well as an honorable mention in each of the three categories along with one award for Best in Show. The juror for this year’s exhibition is Keaton Wynn. 

Keaton Wynn is a Professor of Art at Georgia Southwestern State University, teaching Art History and Ceramics. He holds a BFA from Missouri State University, an MFA from Kent State University, and an MA from Virginia Commonwealth University. Wynn is an accomplished artist with regional, national, and international exhibitions. He has received several awards at GSW, including the President’s Award for Excellence in Service (2010), Faculty Excellence in Scholarship (2016), and Faculty Excellence in Teaching (2024). 

Wynn has directed study abroad programs to China, Africa, and Nepal, and has been a Visiting Scholar at various institutions in China. Since 2012, he has directed the Lanzhou Ceramic Residency, establishing the largest academic ceramics program in western China. His recent research in Gansu on local materials for ceramic production was featured at the 2024 NCECA conference. 

In 2017, Wynn founded the Center for Chinese Bie Modern Studies at GSW, with a sister center established in Slovenia in 2019. He lives in Plains, Georgia, with his wife Stephanie, their two children, and their pets Zoe and Soren Kierkegaard. 

The exhibition, in its entirety, will remain on display in the Carnegie Library Gallery through July 24, 2024. Admission to the art show and sale is free. The Southwest Georgia Regional Art show will be available for viewing June 10 through July 24, 2024 during The AAAC’s Gallery hours.

The Albany Area Arts Council is located in the historic Carnegie Library, 215 North Jackson St., Albany, Georgia. The gallery is open Monday - Thursday from noon - 4PM. Other viewing times are available by appointment. Please call to schedule. 

The mission of the Albany Area Arts Council is to work in partnership with our communities; the AAAC empowers artists, creates diverse connections, provides educational opportunities, and champions innovation and equality in the arts and humanities. For more information, please contact the Albany Area Arts Council 229-439-ARTS (2787) or visit our website @ www.albanyartscouncil.org.