Beaufort Art Association’s 54th Annual Spring Exhibit will take place from Saturday, March 21 - Saturday March 28 at the Old Bay Marketplace, Second Level (elevator accessibility), 917 Bay Street in Downtown Beaufort. Local artists will present their finest works produced in oils, acrylics, watercolor, photography, mixed media, pottery, woodturning, metal sculpture and much more. Fine art jewelry has been added this year. Admission is free of charge.

[caption id="attachment_21452" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ARTS-AmirG-Farris-2015-SS-judge.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-21452" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ARTS-AmirG-Farris-2015-SS-judge-300x225.jpg" alt="Amiri Geuka Faris" width="300" height="225" /></a> Amiri Geuka Faris[/caption]

This year, judging the 200 entries will be well known artist Amiri Geuka Farris of Bluffton and Savannah, Georgia. Farris received his Masters of Fine Art in Painting, with his BFA in Illustration and Graphic Design, from the Savannah College of Art and Design and is currently a Professor of Fine Arts at SCAD and the University of South Carolina-Beaufort. He is known for dynamic, powerful artwork that combines an alluring blend of vivid colors, layered textures, and a signature use of Adinkra symbols. The images of Sea Island culture that are evoked in his work introduce viewers to uplifting moments and insight into his contemporary view of culture. At the heart of Mr. Farris’ artistic goal is to tell the history of the Gullah-Geechee people and their way of life. His dedication to that vision was rewarded in 2012 when he was the co-recipient of a very prestigious award for preservation from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more info about the Mr. Farris visit www.amiristudio.com.

Contact Sandy Dimke for information dimke@hargray.com 263-4340 and mail checks to BAA PO Box 625 Beaufort, SC 29901.

<em>In conjunction with the show, Mr. Farris will hold a painting and mixed media class on Saturday March 28 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at USCB Center for the Arts, Room 275. Mr. Farris will guide you along the way as you collage and paint different materials to create your masterpiece. Open to all levels from beginners to seasoned artists. Each class participant will go home with a piece of completed art. A materials list will be provided upon sign up for the Workshop which costs $80 per attendee. </em>