A new year brings new art exhibitions.
Textile artist Staci Swider will talk about her latest exhibition at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at CANDL Fine Art.
“Swider’s captivating mixed-media art invites us on a journey through time, memory, and the wisdom of experience. Inspired by the concept of ancestral guardians, her work honors the resilience and intuition passed down through generations. Swider’s organic forms and layered textures resonate with a sense of belonging, encouraging viewers to connect with their own inner lodestar and navigate life’s path with confidence,” a news release said.
Swider’s “Vessels Of the Elder Goddess. Introspective” opened Jan. 3 and runs through Feb. 14. The exhibition features “ecstatically fabricated artworks (that) combine wit, wanderlust, and bold creativity to explore feminine empowerment,” the release said.
“Through exploring aging and guardianship, I seek to honor the passage of time and the wisdom it carries. My intention is to evoke in viewers a connection to their inner compass and a sense of being supported on life’s journey. This work reflects on our relationship with the past, present, and the guidance of those who have gone before us,” according to Swider.
CANDL Fine Art’s first show of 2025 marks the start of the gallery’s third year.
Drake White, the gallery’s curator, said he’s “very excited by the caliber of artists exhibiting there this year.”
Other exhibitions include Selected Paintings of Edward Rice from April 4 to May 15 and works by Luke Allsbrook May 30 through July 11.
The reception for Sacred Heart Cultural Center’s newest exhibition will be Thursday, Jan. 9, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The works of Ann Delorge, Beth McDonald, Marsha Shelburn and Nancy Hoehn will be featured from Jan. 10 through Feb. 28. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and community presentation of the newest Golden Blocks Project mural addition: “Golden Blocks: A Community Built on the Shoulders of Giants” by local artist Theron Cartwright is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at Fresh Startz, 1134 Laney Walker Blvd.
“Inspired by musicians, educators and landmark businesses who are known to have contributed to the rich arts culture we see in Augusta’s River Region, this mural embodies the spirit of collaboration and community upliftment,” a news release said.
The event will also mark the grand opening of Fresh Startz.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years and is a Georgia Press Association award winner. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
