Online Desk
Southside Gallery is featuring 13 artists in their latest themed exhibition “Birds,” which opened on Jan. 28.
The theme of the exhibition is artwork that features birds because of their appearance throughout different mediums and works.
This is the second year that Southside Gallery has done a grouped themed exhibition. Last February they had their first theme, a successful floral exhibition, which caused the gallery to repeat it this year with a different theme.
“We had a really good reception to it; the people were enthusiastic about the work and then the artists really enjoyed participating in the show,” gallery director Will Cook said. “So we decided to do it again this year with a different theme, and I think it’ll be a thing we do every February moving forward.”
Cook said that he hopes this new exhibition will have a positive impact on his business and the gallery, much like last year’s floral exhibition.
This year’s exhibition features many art forms, including oil paintings, sculptures, pottery and other mixed media compositions.
Art professor Virginia Rougon Chavis is a printmaker being featured in the gallery. Chavis has been frequently represented by the gallery in the past.
“Working with Will at Southside is always a positive experience, as they represent my work on a regular basis,” Chavis said. “The staff works personally with artists to get to know their concepts in a meaningful and professional manner. In this capacity, they are able to inform visitors not only about the work, but the artist behind the work. Southside Gallery attracts visitors and art collectors from larger cities to our small town because of its reputation.”
The gallery is also featuring artist Glennray Tutor, an American painter who is known for photorealism. This is also Tutor’s first time showing recent artwork in Oxford in many years.
“Art is a highly refined form of entertainment,” Tutor said. “It’s a type of performance. I hope to get the enjoyment I feel whenever I engage in the act of presenting my art to an audience that is receptive to it.”
Some of the artists featured in the exhibition are happy to be featured along so many different peers.
“There are local artists and former students,” Chavis said. “As a professor, this is a nice way to remain connected.”
The artists reception will be Feb. 15, and the exhibition will be in the gallery until Feb. 29.
