Almost a year ago, Hinesville resident and artist Emily Scott-Graham showed her work for the first time to the Hinesville area at the Hinesville Area Art Council.
She named the exhibit “It Leads You Here” and depicted her military family’s travels throughout the United States.
The 28 pieces, which she described as “dream-like,” were inspired by her husband, Andrew; her two children, Zoe and Elias; and the passing of her mother.
This month, her artwork will have a different feel, as Scott-Graham channeled her personal interests and passions to create her latest exhibit, “In Search Of,” comprised of 20 pieces.
“There’s a line from the movie ‘Adaption’ about the belief that the reason to care passionately about something is because, ‘it whittles the world down to a more manageable size,’” she said. “I think everyone is searching for or has found something that they care about intensely. I created the images in this set of artworks around my personal interests, but I hope that viewers can relate to them because there are things that they are just as passionate about.”
HAAC Chairwoman Leah Poole has scheduled the free opening reception from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday at 102 Commerce St. gallery, which will give the community the chance to mingle, eat, view the artwork and meet the artist.
The exhibit will be up all month at the HAAC gallery, which is open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Every month, the HAAC holds an exhibit opening for a local artist of their choosing. Just as Scott-Graham did last year, she entered her work, and the council chose her once again.
Scott-Graham has been working on “In Search Of” since February, using a mixture of art techniques.
“Crow and Rabbit” and “Dream Big,” her personal favorites, were done in color pencil, while “Girl with Bird Wallpaper” is an acrylic painting on canvas. The exhibit also features digital photography work, such as “Treasure I” and “Treasure II.”
With the exception of Scott-Graham’s self-portrait, the artworks will be for sale. Buyers either can get them at the gallery, or the artist can arrange for duplicates to be made.
Scott-Graham has used art as an outlet since she was a child and continues to do so, which is why she finds art so important.
“I’m a bit of quiet person, so I often use art as a tool for self-expression,” she said. “I like the way art connects me to the subject and allows me to think in a way that is different from what I’m used to in order to figure out the message.”
Poole hopes that these monthly exhibits will help build a thriving area art scene, which she said would help the area in ways besides the obvious artistic and aesthetic benefits.
“If you look at any progressive community, they typically have a thriving arts component somewhere,” she said. “It’s important not just to the people who live in the community, but for economic development. If you’re a company who’s looking to locate in Liberty County, you’re going to look at what there is for children and families to do. The arts council offers a lot of those opportunities, whether it’s through our exhibits, art classes or even a free concert.”