I was re-reading all of the artists’ biographies and trying to pin point a few to use to describe the upcoming exhibit and I realized … It is absolutely amazing that we have such talent from ALL OVER THE WORLD coming to exhibit their works in Moultrie, Georgia!

On January 21st, 2017 the “International Craft Exhibit” from the World Craft Council will open in the Vereen Gallery showcasing crafts and traditions from around the globe. The World Crafts Council provides information on the crafts and their makers and assists with international cultural exchanges. Their main goal is to strengthen the status of crafts as a vital part of cultural and economic life, to promote a sense of fellowship among the craftspeople of the world and to offer them encouragement, help and advice. The exhibit includes work and artists from Turkey, Africa, Mexico, China, Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, India, Polynesia, Iran, Benin, and Guatemala. There are so many different techniques, mediums and countries being represented I wish I could use the whole newspaper to tell you about them.

One of the mediums is Mudcloth, a fabric originating in Mali. This Malian technique for dyeing cotton with fermented mud dates back to the 12th century. Traditionally, men were responsible for the time-consuming process of weaving the strips of cotton together on hand looms. Women were responsible for the colors and dyeing. To get color and patterns, the cloth is first dyed with tea leaves, and then patterns are painted with a fermented mud. As the cloth dries, the color changes, and then the mud can be washed off. White areas are achieved through bleaching. The entire process can take many months.

One of the artists is Ivot Vutqie from China. Ivot Vutqie belongs to the 16th generation of the Jivot clan and is a recognized award winner for his Nuosu lacquerware. Nuosu is an ethnic group living in SW China. Lacquerware has been made there for over 1,600 years. The color scheme and designs are not found in any other location in China. The wood base is made from the ngehni tree and is dried. It is turned on a 2-person, hand pedaled lathe and dried again. It is painted all in black, dried and then the other colors are added.

That is only one of the 32 artists and the many mediums represented in this exhibit. There is so much in this exhibit to see! You are not going to want to miss this opportunity to view the “International Craft Exhibit” opening on January 21st until March 31st, 2017.

Not only does the Arts Center have an awesome exhibit coming up but also a wonderful “Last Thursday” class. On January 26th from 6-8pm, Kathy Nelson will be guiding participants in a bird’s nest painting with acrylics on an 8×8” Gallery Wrap Canvas. The Deadline to register is January 19th and the cost is $25.

Please call the Arts Center at 229-985-1922 for any additional information or you can visit our website at www.colquittcountyarts.com! “Where Creativity Finds Community!”