Ceramic artist gets inspiration from common objects

Contemporary ceramic artist Virginia Scotchie will be featured in an exhibit opening Friday at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art.

Ms. Scotchie takes inspiration from everyday objects and sculpts forms that are intended to be experienced on a visual rather than functional level.

She will be at the Gertrude Herbert for an informal gallery talk and reception at 6 p.m. April 24. See http://virginiascotchie.com.

Also at the art institute: Augusta State University students Vanessa Baladad and Janice Flores are presenting their senior exit exhibit April 24-30.

MYSTERY ART: Walton Foundation for Independence will present the third annual Undercover Artists Show April 30 on the lawn of Walton Rehabilitation Hospital. About 100 artists, local celebrities and community leaders are given a blank canvas on which to create a work of art. The paintings are then sold at silent auction. The mystery element comes into play because the artists' signatures are hidden, so bidders don't know whose work they are pursuing.

The event also features music by Daddy Grace and The Henrys and catering by Manuel's Bread Cafe. Tickets cost $50, and proceeds benefit Walton's Camp TBI for children with traumatic brain injuries. Call 706-823-8584.

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT: The Greater Augusta Arts Council is calling for nominations for the 2009 Arts Recognition Awards. Categories are individual artist, sponsor/corporate, volunteer, media -- individual or corporate; and arts professional. Awards will be presented at the arts council's general meeting and reception in June, and winners will be profiled in the fall issue of Augusta magazine. Applications and a list of previous winners can be found at www.augustaarts.com.

NEW DIGS: The Art Factory is moving to Sacred Heart Cultural Center, joining the arts groups currently clustered in the Sacred Heart office spaces effective May 1.

CAROLINA ARTS : Susan Meyers , winner of the 2005 South Carolina Poetry Book Prize and Ray McManus , winner of the 2006 prize, will be reading Saturday at Paperwhites in Edgefield, S.C. Ms. Meyers was also among the winners in the most recent Porter Fleming Literary Awards in Augusta.

This weekend is Spring Bonanza in McCormick, S.C., where an art competition will be staged at the McCormick Arts Council at the Keturah and at Red Rooster Art Gallery on Main Street. Winners will be announced at 7:30 p.m. Friday during a reception at the Red Rooster. Spring Bonanza events will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Louise Keith Claussen is Morris Communications Co.'s corporate art manager, former arts editor, former art museum director and longtime advocate of Augusta's cultural arts community.