BRAG show to highlight members’ artwork

Published 8:27 pm Friday, January 11, 2019

By Donna Campbell

Derek Covington Smith, a full-time artist and private art instructor in Brookhaven, hears often, “But I’m not good at art,” to which he replies, “But, do you enjoy it?”

For Smith, art is about more than just trying to be good.

“It’s about connecting to little pieces of yourself you may have never known were there,” he said. “Art teaches that looking and examining things a little harder may give you an entirely different view of what it is you’re seeing. Art teaches patience and strengthens the ability to plan ahead.”

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And that comes from either creating or enjoying.

That’s where the Brookhaven Regional Art Guild comes in. A select number of artists — all members of BRAG — were chosen to display pieces they created that brings enjoyment to themselves with the hopes that others will like them as well.

The BRAG Members Show will be on display in the Vernon Room at the Lincoln County Public Library through Jan. 30. The show is free and open to the public during regular library hours.

A reception will be held Jan. 17 at 5:30 p.m. to allow members of the public to meet the artists and ask questions about their pieces.

Besides Smith, the show features the art of Mona Guist, Janet C. Smith, Janet M. Smith, Nancy Myers, Cheri Langston, Becky Corkern and Kay Calcote. A variety of mediums are on display — watercolor, pottery, oils, acrylics, ceramics, handmade paper and mixed media.

BRAG Vice President Janet C. Smith said the members-only show puts a spotlight on some of the artists who have exhibited with the guild through the years. The hope is to draw attention to the organization and attract a larger following of supporters.

The ability to create art is not a pre-requisite for membership into the guild.

“They do not have to be an artist to be a member of BRAG, they just have to appreciate the arts and want to get involved and come to shows,” she said. “We love to have artists, but we have to have people who are interested in the arts and want to help support it.”

The featured artists will be at the reception to discuss their work with those who attend. Many pieces in the collection are available for purchase.

“Artists always need patrons, people who will come and look at our work, buy our work and appreciate it,” she said.

BRAG, which was organized in January 2012, is open to anyone 18 and older who is interested in the arts. Membership is $25 yearly. Meetings are held each third Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the library. The BRAG meeting Jan. 17 will be held following the reception, about 6:30 p.m.

For more information about BRAG, email brookhavenregionalartguild@gmail.com.

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