Easley Artist's Work Featured in Exhibit

The Reserve at Lake Keowee Community Foundation is hosting Nature, an art exhibit showcasing members of the Artists Guild Gallery of Greenville – a cooperative art gallery in downtown Greenville. Pieces by Kathleen Wiley, Edith McBee Hardaway, Gerda Bowman, and Kathy Naley DuBose will be on display. An Artists Reception will also be hosted for members of the community to meet the artists.

Kathleen Wiley has been striving to capture the beauty of the natural world since 1997. She grew up on a horse farm in Western New York and though she attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for graphic design, she had a strong desire to communicate the sense of reverence and awe that she felt for nature in all its forms. Every painting begins with inspiration from Kathleen’s travels and encounters, providing necessary accuracy for her oil paintings. Kathleen now lives in Walhalla, SC where she paints in her renovated barn studio.

Edith McBee Hardaway studied Studio Art at Columbia College, and earned a degree in Graphic Arts from Greenville Technical College. She worked in the graphic arts field for 10 years and continues to freelance for various businesses, art guilds, friends, and family. Edith stays in the forefront of fine arts by continuously taking art classes and workshops. Over the past several years, she has entered numerous art shows in the southeast and has received awards for her work in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Gerda Bowman is originally from Ohio, and moved to the Southeast in the early 90's.  Having always enjoyed drawing, Gerda enhanced and formalized her skills with five years of courses at the Lindentree Studio in Canton, Ohio.  Twenty-plus years later, the thrill of the creative process prompts her to continue sharpening her skills. The mediums she uses are primarily colored pencil, along with graphite, pen and ink, and watercolor.  She also enjoys creating wearable art in the form of beaded jewelry.  Gerda is a founding member of Artists Guild Gallery of Greenville.

Kathy Naley DuBose has been painting since childhood and finds her inspiration from the outdoors and traveling with her family.  Her preferred medium is acrylic and watercolors to create detailed landscapes, street scenes, and wildlife paintings.  Kathy is a mother of three, and lives in Easley with her husband Dial.  She is also active with charity and fundraising efforts

The exhibit will be held at The Reserve at Lake Keowee's Hill House Gallery, located at 534 Pine Grove Church Road, Sunset. The exhibit opens April 9 through May 31. Hours are 8am – 4pm Monday through Friday, by appointment only. To attend the exhibit, please call (864) 481-4010 prior to your visit.

An Artists Reception will also be hosted for members of the community to meet the artists. The reception is slated for Friday, April 12, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. To attend the Artists Reception, please RSVP to Kathryn Gravely at (864) 481-4010 or kgravely@reservekeowee.com.

The Reserve at Lake Keowee Community Foundation is a non-profit organization created to enhance the quality of life at The Reserve and in the local area while fulfilling a sense of community and philanthropy for The Reserve’s members.

The Community Foundation sponsors regular cultural events including concerts, plays, lectures, and an annual art festival. The Foundation has four major functions: 1.) Help preserve the natural resources in the area through acts and events of environmental stewardship; 2.) Provide educational programs for members and guests of The Reserve; 3.) Promote an arts program at The Reserve; and 4.) Provide outreach activities for neighboring communities in Pickens County, SC, through the 501(c)(3) Charitable Foundation. In 2012, the Charitable Foundation gave more than $35,000 to local organizations.