Reception held April 8 at Saluda Center

The Saluda Center recently announced that Mary Brummet and Bill Lovett are the center’s April artists.

Mary Brummett, a Saluda resident, is a graduate of Syracuse University where she majored in interior design. She says she has enjoyed mastering the art of oil and acrylic painting with noted instructors in Florida, North Carolina and at Giverny, France. With numerous group and solo exhibitions from western North Carolina to coastal Connecticut, her paintings are collected nationally and internationally.

Brummett said, “The extraordinary experience of painting in Monet’s garden forever changed my perception of light, color, and form. In my paintings I try to create a joyful, evocative mood that I can share with the viewer and I am most interested in capturing a sense of light and atmosphere. My paintings are often not a literal rendering of a scene but instead I try to capture my emotional, immediate reactions to what is before me. The painted scene frequently becomes a place to which I have traveled in my mind.”

Bill Lovett, a native Georgian and former corporate advertising and marketing director, now finds his voice in painting color and light. His art journey has taken him through studies in color theory, composition, and plein air techniques. He paints in oil, acrylic and watercolors.

Having always been intrigued with the power and beauty of color, no matter how dull the day, Lovette says he always sees a bit of color in his world. He translates color and light onto canvas in his characteristically bright-colored paintings, and says he hopes to share a sense of happiness, warmth and appreciation through his art.

Lovett paints on a regular basis with his art mentor and friend, Saluda resident William Jameson, and travels for painting workshops with contemporary American artists. While he paints mostly in the Southeastern United States, he has also painted in Europe and Mexico. Lovett’s paintings have been selected for juried art shows and his work can be found in private and corporate collections regionally and nationally.

The public is invited to a reception honoring the artists on Friday, April 8 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. at the Saluda Center, located at 64 Greenville Street in Saluda. This exhibit can also be viewed from April 8 – 29 during regular operating hours at the center.

For further information, call Anne Jameson at 828-749-3101. The artists have offered a portion of proceeds from the sale of their work to assist in funding the many programs offered at the Saluda Center.