“Brenda Sutton Rose: The Southern Series” is a captivating art exhibit intertwining rural narratives and stunning oil paintings by artist Brenda Sutton Rose. Georgia Museum of Agriculture curator Polly Huff showcases this unique storytelling to invite visitors to explore the rich culture of the American South.
“The Southern Series” is Rose’s first solo exhibit in her journey as an artist. Huff has witnessed Rose’s growth as an artist in the past eighteen years and thought the paintings would make a perfect addition to the GMA.
Rose said, “My first solo exhibition came about by chance. I had begun a series of paintings based on the South. I pulled paintings from my roots, from the things that make me who I am, from my memories and local history.”
The unique aspect of this exhibit is that all the paintings tell a personal story. Most paintings tell some story, but each illustration has a narrative explaining the story, enabling visitors to understand what it means to Rose. There are even recognizable Tifton landmarks among the paintings.
“I wanted them to feel the South or feel a memory triggered by my works. And I hoped they would see the beauty of the southern landscape and lifestyle,” Rose said. “While painting in my studio, my intent is to create something deep and soulful. I want to pull the viewer into the colors, the scene, and, ultimately, the story.”
Rose’s painting “Stringing Tobacco” tells a story about her childhood. Rose spent many summers stringing and unstringing tobacco. The workers would sing joyful songs they all knew from the heart. “Stringing Tobacco” features a barn Rose distinctly remembers from this moment.
Although this art exhibit is Rose’s first solo, she has had a long journey with the arts. She began her career as a writer and eventually fell in love with painting and the beautiful colors that come with the activity.
“My writing had always involved creative descriptions, and I began to long to put those descriptions and the art inside my dreams on canvas. I began to study the scenes, speak of them, and allow writing and painting to bleed together,” Rose said.
The exhibit opened at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 9 with locally sourced treats from ABAC Chef Jay Johnson. Rose gave an informal gallery talk, and then she and Huff gave gallery tours until 7:30 p.m.
Regular exhibit hours are 9:00 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays. Many of Rose’s pieces have sold or are for sale.
The exhibit will remain open until Dec. 15. Admission into the gallery is included in general GMA admission, and ABAC students get in for free. Those interested in the Southern Series can purchase admission and annual passes from the GMA Country Store.
For more information on “Brenda Sutton Rose: The Southern Series” and future GMA events, contact Huff at phuff@abac.edu.
