Nature Reconsidered and Trail 2021

See 2021 Award Winners Here

Take a Virtual Tour of Nature Reconsidered Exhibit Here

Take a Virtual Tour of Trail Exhibit Here

Nature Reconsidered art competition and Trail photography competition opened this week at Southern Arts Society in Kings Mountain. Both are judged shows with cash prizes.

Nature Reconsidered

Nature Reconsidered is an art exhibition and competition sponsored by Southern Arts Society that aims to explore the ever-changing relationship between humans and nature. Artists were asked to create work that references, investigates, challenges, and/or celebrates our relationship with the natural world. There is a wide variety of media featured in the show – painting (oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel), drawing, glass, photography and mixed media. Thirty-eight artists from around the region entered 76 pieces of work for this year’s exhibit. While the majority of entries reflect the beauty of our natural world, there are several that play on the impact or interference of man with our environment.

Trail

The Trail photography competition is sponsored by the Kings Mountain Gateway Trail and Southern Arts Society. This exhibit features photos taken on the Gateway Trail over the past two years. There are 13 entries from 5 photographers in this show. The butterfly garden at the top of the Gateway Trail continues to be a prime spot for great photos. Much of the trail is surrounded by trees which requires photographers to be patient and search out interesting flora and fauna to capture on film.

The Judge

Judging both shows is Michael Grady, an exhibiting artist, writer, and Professor of Art at Appalachian State University. Mr. Grady grew up in South Carolina but lived for three decades in New York and San Francisco before relocating, in 2008, to his ancestral homeland in North Carolina. Grady has a special interest and expertise in spirituality and art, expressive arts therapy and Asian philosophy and culture. Grady sees the future of art as necessarily integrating a variety of cultural concepts; self and community; spirit and healing. He has exhibited his paintings and lectured in Germany, New Zealand, China, and throughout the U.S.

The public is invited to meet the artists at a reception Saturday October 2 from 6-8 pm. Awards for both competitions will be announced at 7 pm. This is a free event. Dress is casual. Masks are required to enter. More of the work in the exhibit can be seen on the website and Facebook page of Southern Arts Society.

Nature Reconsidered and Trail will be on display in the galleries of Southern Arts Society through November 5, 2021. Visitors are required to wear a mask and practice social distancing while visiting the gallery.

Southern Arts Society (SASi) Gift Shop & Gallery is located at 301 N. Piedmont Avenue in the historic Southern Railway Depot, at the intersection of Piedmont and Battleground. SASi offers a gift shop, ongoing exhibits, programs and classes in a variety of media for artists of all levels. Hours: Tues – Sat, 10 am to 3 pm and by Appointment. Admission is Free.