Since 2017, The Artisans Village Guild has collaborated with the Associated Photographers of Lake Oconee photo club for the Dual Vision: Art Through Different Eyes exhibition.
This year the number of participating artists was larger and the artwork and photos were better than ever. In order to better celebrate and showcase the photos and art this year, the show kicked off with an opening reception Sept. 15, at Barrel 118 in downtown Eatonton.
“The Guild Board was thrilled to have the opportunity to host this event at the beautiful, historic Barrel 118,” Dual Vision Chair Linda Foster said. “We love receptions at the Gallery but could not pass up this wonderful chance to display this special show in that incredible venue and larger space.”
Back in May, Guild members who wanted to participate in Dual Vision chose one or two photos from thousands of options provided by members of the photo club. In the following months artists could use any medium of their choice to create art inspired by the photos, including painting, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, mosaics, textiles, gourds, etc.
Four months later, the “Big Reveal” took place, in which artists and photographers explained their inspirations and shared their artistry with each other as a large group, before the Gallery Manager and Guild started staging the show for the opening reception and sale.
The 9,000-plus-squarefoot Barrel 118 venue (118 N. Jefferson Ave.) presented an ideal space to highlight the artwork and photography of Dual Vision: Art Through Different Eyes. The event is a favorite each year for artists and photographers alike, along with art enthusiasts in the community.
More than 300 people attended the opening- night reception, where in addition to viewing the artwork on display, guests were treated to live music, complimentary wine, and an array of treats and small bites prepared by the Putnam County High School Culinary Department.
“What a fantastic turnout,” Sara and Kevin Tomson-Hooper, owners of Barrel 118, agreed. “It was our pleasure to help sponsor the Dual Vision show and we look forward to hosting other shows like this and different art exhibits in the future.”
Everyone at the reception had the chance to vote for the People’s Choice award for favorite photo and favorite artwork, which remarkably turned out to be of the same image. Congratulations belong to the winners, Steve Kippels for his painting “Miller’s Cats,” and Greg Miller for “Pride,” the photo Kippels replicated on canvas. Both pieces have since sold, along with 18 other Dual Vision pieces, so far.
The move of Dual Vision to Barrel 118 also was made possible in part by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce, with extra funding from a tourism grant helping to pay for many of the details required for a large art show installation in a new venue. Improved lighting was just one example, provided by Atlanta Stage and Audio at discounted rates for the non-profit The Artisans Village Guild.
“It was a pretty important piece of the puzzle to figure out for this type of art show,” Foster said. “We needed to improve the lighting for so many pieces of artwork and the team from Atlanta Stage and Audio really took their time to expertly focus and illuminate all of the stunning display.”
Additionally, several other special events took place while the exhibit remained on site at Barrel 118. There was an insightful Art Talk on Composition by artist Lauren Adams, several different art classes, and an after-hours party for the ME Film Fest participants.
The Dual Vision show is not a competition and there is no fee to participate, although artists and photographers must be current members of the photo club or the Guild.
“This show was so much bigger this year because our membership keeps growing,” Guild President Becky Sherrell said. “We are still adding new Guild members almost every week and our membership is over 160 members from all over Lake Country and beyond.”
After moving from Barrel 118, the impressive side-by-side Dual Vision show remains on display with many photos and artwork remaining for sale at The Artisans Village Art Gallery (110 W. Marion St., Eatonton). For more information visit theartisansvillage.org.
- Contributed