Visitors to the offices of Gov. Nathan Deal can see paintings produced by two Colquitt County artists.

Sally Shovar and Barbara Oxley were among about 60 artists from across Southwest Georgia that submitted works for consideration by the Georgia Council for the Arts. Seventeen were chosen to be displayed in the offices from February through July. After that, works by artists from another region of the state will take their places.

Shovar submitted two paintings as a set, “Mimosa Canopy 1” and “Mimosa Canopy II.” They depict the canopy of mimosa trees that covered the Tom White Linear Park — also called the walking trail — along South Main Street.

“… Which no longer exist, you know,” she said. “The city cleared them away.”

Oxley ranged farther afield for her subject matter — Providence Canyon in Stewart County. Her painting depicts the eroded walls of the canyon, nicknamed “The Little Grand Canyon.” The canyon is now a state park.

Oxley said the governor and his wife were personally involved in selecting the paintings, photographs and sculptures that are on display in his offices.

Shovar’s and Oxley’s paintings are for sale after they end their run at Deal’s offices, as are many of the other artworks on display there. For more about that, visit the Georgia Arts Council website, www.gaarts.org.

“We hope that the people from Moultrie who go up to see their legislators will go by and see the paintings from here,” Shovar said.

Both of the artists thanked the Colquitt County Arts Center for its support of their efforts.

“These are tough times,” Oxley said, “and we really do appreciate their support.”