 I will never not be grateful for all the wonderful opportunities that present themselves to me. This morning I was a guest on The Morning Mix, a local morning news program on WRDW here in Augusta. The hosts Cliff Bennett and Zayna Haliburton were gracious as always and made me feel quite at home. This was the second time this year that I've appeared on the show. Today, I talked a little about my participation as social media marketer for the upcoming Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival. I was also given the opportunity to share a bit about Souls of the Midnight Dreamers, my solo art exhibit that is soon to hit the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. SO many wonderful things happening this September! Didn't get a chance to bring it up, but there is another art show I'm a part of that takes place on September 1. It's the Book on a Box exhibit by the Book Tavern, downtown Augusta's amazing bookstore. Click all the links to read more about what's in store for September. Hope to see you around town next month!
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 Sponsored by Augusta's RedWolf Advertising, Souls of the Midnight Dreamers is a solo art exhibition celebrating human achievement and the power of dreams that come true. Each personality featured in this exhibit began their life’s journey with a dream. That dream became an all-consuming desire. Each person burned the midnight oil, lying in bed until the early morning hours dreaming of how to reach the heights, to land that role, that recording contract, that job they so longed to acquire. They were souls afire, ignited with a passion that kept them dreaming, figuring out ways to move one step closer and doing the work necessary to make their dreams come true. Each person here embodied the soul of a midnight dreamer, and their successes remind us that we, too, can realize our dreams no matter how big or how small they may be. The exhibition will be on display for the entire month of September with works available for purchase. You're invited to attend as we celebrate the power of achieving our dreams! Bio: Francie Klopotic was born and raised in East Atlanta Village and taught herself to draw faces at the age of ten. A portrait artist for over 45 years, she finds exquisite beauty in the diversity of humanity and has spent most of her life drawing portraits in graphite and colored pencil. In 2018, she began showing her work at galleries and in art shows across the River Region. She has several collectors and many of her works are in private collections across the Southeast, Midwest and New England. In 2021 Francie picked up a paintbrush for the first time and began painting portraits in bold and bright hues. Painting opened up a whole new world for her as an artist, allowing Francie the ability to fully express her love for Pop Art and pop culture in a new way. Her influences include Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Peter Max, and Alex Katz. Francie’s goal as an artist is to encourage others to embrace their own uniqueness and to revel in their beauty, for every human is a work of art.      It's been a super busy year for me! Here is another group show that I'm thrilled to be a part of, this time at my favorite black box theatre. On Friday evening, July 21, please join us at Le Chat Noir on 8th Street in downtown Augusta for Art of the Rings, the Fellowship of the Art Show. Heather Dunaway of the Greater Augusta Arts Council has curated this show celebrating The Lord of the Rings. As a portrait artist, you know I had to paint someone. So, I painted my interpretation of Gandalf. I hope to see you there!  Gandalf by Francie Klopotic
 On First Friday, July 7, there will be a celebration of women, goddess style, at 600 Broad in downtown Augusta! 4P Studios hosts the 2nd Annual Femmes de Pouvoir art show, and you're invited! Several local women artists have gathered together to explore what it means to be a woman of power, and the artwork is absolutely stunning. I'm honored to have a few pieces in this show and am sharing a wall with the insanely talented Christina Rice!  My work on the left. Christina Rice's work on the right. All goddess inspired women of power! The reception will be held on July 7 starting at 7pm. Please mark your calendars now to join us in celebration of all things women!
 Melinda Swift, owner of the Olde Town Inn, is hosting the upcoming Olde Town Inn Peach Gala to be held on Friday, July 7 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Olde Town Inn. Parking is located behind the Inn at 410 4th Street, Augusta, GA 30901.
This Gala is being held in celebration of Melinda's 7 years of Inn ownership in addition to the Inn’s 153rd anniversary. Each of the Inn's five rooms are being dedicated to one of five local women of Augusta history. Those women are Butterfly McQueen, Celia DeLaigle, Marion Hollins, Agnes Holliman, and Princess Augusta. With sponsor support, Melinda will be raising funds to house breast cancer patients at her Inn while they receive treatment. Melinda is a recent breast cancer survivor, so this event is very special to her personally. In addition to this, she will be awarding a $500 scholarship to a student at Davidson Fine Arts. I have been chosen to curate this art show and sale, and I can't express my gratitude and excitement at this opportunity! Dipping my toe in the sea of art show curating is scary but thrilling and I look forward to helping local artists find new collectors at this special art buying event. Tickets for the Gala are $40 per person. Victorian dress is encouraged but not mandatory. Click HERE to learn more and to purchase your tickets! Hope to see you at the Gala!  Photo courtesy of RedWolf Advertising A reception was held on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History for the Emerging Artists Exhibition. You can read my column here to learn more!
 I'm excited to announce that I've been accepted into yet another group exhibition, this time at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History! My painting of Sharon Jones and my mixed media drawing of Billy Preston will join the artwork of many new and established artists.
Below is the official press release. Hope to see you at this reception. It's going to be amazing, especially with the high school students whose work will be on display! Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History Emerging Artists Exhibition The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History is excited to welcome a first-time exhibit entitled “Emerging Artists” on display through March. This new exhibit highlights a lot of the new artistic talent in the River Region. It also includes a selection of more recognized artists. The mixture of new and established will give the newer artists an opportunity to learn more about Augusta’s arts community. A list of the artists that have artwork on display include:
“Emerging Artists” will be on display at the Laney Museum in February and much of March 2023. A reception will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm. Artists will discuss their paintings and offer insights about their artistic journeys.   On Friday, February 3, 2023, the Voices of Augusta reception was held at Augusta & Co., and wow did the CSRA turn out for the event! From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., nearly 100 people came through the doors to enjoy the sounds of BillKarpJazz as they sipped wine, nibbled on treats, and perused the 13 portraits I created to celebrate local-grown talent. It was an amazing night and one I will never forget! Huge thanks to all who attended and to those who bought art. My heart is overfull!           This year marks my 5th year of participating in the WetPaint Party & Art Sale! The party happens in its new venue, the Julian Smith Casino, on Saturday, March 4! To learn more, click here for the Facebook event! My submission for this year's art auction is Ziggy Stardust. Hope to see you there! Above: Ziggy Stardust - acrylic on 16x20 gallery-wrapped canvas
 I am so excited to announce that my portrait of Nina Simone (shown below) was accepted into GRL PWR, a group exhibition featuring artwork that highlights the courage, ingenuity, hard work and power of women for Women's History Month. To learn more, click here to see the Facebook event!  Above: Nina Simone - acrylic on 18x24 canvas
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Welcome!This is the space where I will keep you up to date on all of my arts news. Hope to see you out and about at local events! Archives
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