Alpha Arts Guild work on display at Milton City Hall

Alpha Arts Guild (AAG) board member Ellen Winsor, herself a landscape painter, is thinking long term in regards to the guild's show at Milton City Hall, which runs through Jan. 5, 2009.

"The only thing we know about Egypt and Rome is from their art," said Winsor to City Council Dec. 1, when the show opened. "So now you guys are on your way."

They all had a good laugh.

The 2-year-old guild, which features artists from Alpharetta, Milton and other surrounding communities, has a number of paintings, drawings, quilts and photographs from its 15 members on display and for sale throughout Milton's City Hall on Deerfield Parkway.

The show is a collaboration between the guild and Milton's own Arts Committee, which has featured local artists in the building before.

Volunteer Patti Silva is the chairwoman of Milton's Arts Committee. She said she was thrilled that the second exhibition - the first featured Milton artist Isabelle Gautier, who donated a painting of the red barn on Redd Road - could feature AAG artists.

She said the idea is to promote "sustainability through art." Thus when AAG contacted her about showing pieces at Milton's City Hall, she jumped at the chance to put on a gallery show with Winsor.

The results are varied and inspiring.

"These artists come from a variety of backgrounds," said Winsor. "It's an interesting mix of people. Some make their living doing this, while for others it's a deep, deep hobby."

AAG president Diana Smeal said that mix is what keeps the group alive. In addition to artists, the group also welcomes supporters who wish to help.

"I think it's very important to support the arts," she said. "We have such an enormous amount of talent [in North Fulton]."

At the opening reception Dec. 1, each of the artists was on hand. They included Floyd Dickens Jr, and his wife, Jacqueline. In addition to having solo pieces - Floyd is a shutterbug, his wife a mixed-media artist - the Dickens collaborate.

The result is Floyd's vibrant nature photography paired with Jacqueline's spiritual poetry.

White Column residents for three years, this is the first time they've been involved in the arts in their community.

"Our son-in-law got a job at Coca-Cola, so we followed him [From Charlotte, N.C.]," said Floyd. "Jackie heard about the arts guild and joined. They invited me in. I didn't think they'd want a photographer."

Perhaps Councilman Alan Tart summed it up best as he strolled around council chambers, studying each piece before the 6 p.m. meeting started.

"I am so glad this all worked out," he said.
- www.northfulton.com

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