(Columns may contain opinions)
Erica Pastecki found new inspiration to prepare for a group exhibition called “The Art of Music” which is on display at Augusta and Co., 1010 Broad St., through June 25.
For the project, the Greater Augusta Arts Council paired 10 visual artists with the music of 10 local musicians to create one-of-a-kind works of art.
“One of my ongoing thoughts in life, especially as an artist, is if and how we can truly live — not just get by, not just exist, but live, to find our sense of self and our sense of joy in this time we are given. Life is so short and goes by so fast; how can we make the most of it while we are here,” wrote Pastecki in an email. “Family, community, relationships, experiences, teaching, work, beliefs, giving back, seeing the world, spending time in nature, noticing the small everyday miracles, living in the moment, etc. The answer will be different for each person but it is definitely a question that I explore.”
Pastecki was paired with AE The Cool’s song called “Wild Things”.
“When I listened to the song to get inspiration for the painting I was doing I was like ‘wow, this is (a) feeling I think many people get, at one point or another.’ One of the main recurring lines in the song is something along the lines of ‘how could I be living, but not really be alive,’” according to Pastecki.
Other participating musicians include The Beached Whale Project, Sun-Li, Wimzy, JBlock, Yunie, Nery Kim, Sounds of Brilliance, Chris Hardy World and Perfect Backseat Driver. Visual artists include Bryson Kelly, ColoredInCanvas, PASC, Theron Cartwright, Destinee Love, Amy Jackson, Baruti Tucker, Francie Klopotic and Deepti Malik.
An artist reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. April 3.
Another reception is only a few doors down at CANDL Fine Art, 1128 Broad St.
“What Memory Wears”, an exhibition of new paintings by Barbara Hardy, will be on view through May 8.
A reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. April 3.
“Hardy works in acrylic, charcoal, and graphite — building each canvas through layers of mark and material until something unexpected resolves. Her paintings occupy the territory between abstraction and suggestion, rooted in lived experience and shaped by an instinct for when to stop. The work is quiet, pressurized, and precise,” according to a news release.
And a huge shout out to Francie Klopotic and Rhian Swain who recently learned they’ve been selected as artists in residence at Olive Stack Gallery in Listowel, Ireland in July 2027.
Last but not least, Westobou Gallery is across the street from CANDL and the monochromatic exhibit from the Westohue party is still on display.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named Augusta Magazine’s best local writer in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
