“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” — Edgar Degas
The Whitesboro Parks and Recreation Department will host its 18th annual Shauney P. Lucas Community Art Show Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 15. The show, which is free to enter and to attend, is open for all artists to submit their works for display. Those interested should register at the Parks and Recreation office by noon on Wednesday, March 11.
This year’s show features the work of Cindy Hawkins, a local artist living in Gordonville. Hawkins has loved drawing for as long as she can remember. That passion was recognized early when her kindergarten teacher wrote to her parents in 1964, encouraging them to continue nurturing what she believed was an artistic gift.
Forty-six years later, Hawkins returned to drawing using colored pencils, inspired by her mother who had begun working with the medium a year earlier.
She began by creating pet portraits for friends and family. During six years of RV travel, her work grew naturally into commissioned pieces. Fellow RVers cherish their pets, and much of her work has come through word of mouth and returning clients.
“In recent years, I have expanded my focus to include portraits of people,” Hawkins said. “A thoughtful gift of graphite pencils from a dear friend opened a new chapter in my work, and I especially enjoy the depth and expression that the graphite allows.
“Some of my favorite pieces to date include a landscape with bicycles inspired by Mackinac Island, an expressive portrait of an old cowboy I titled Life’s Handsome, and Best Friends, depicting a child and dog sitting together on a swing near the beach.” Hawkins added, “I love the challenge of each new request and process of watching a subject come alive on paper.”
Several pieces of her work will be on display at this year’s community show for the public to view at no charge.
Parks and Recreation Director Penny Renfroe explained that the entire event is sponsored by the department at no charge to the artists nor the viewers.
“We want to create an opportunity for anyone in our community to share their talent and display their work, as well as to give citizens an avenue to enjoy the beauty of art fashioned by their friends and neighbors,” she said.
The public is invited to meet Hawkins and other local artists at the art show’s opening Artists’ Reception on Friday, March 13 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. There will be Viewers’ Choice Awards given at the close of the reception on Friday in various categories. The public is invited to attend the reception and vote on their favorites.
The show will be held at the Jimmie O. Rector Community Center, 400 Wilson Street in Whitesboro. Information about this and other department events can be found at www.whitesboro.org/pard. The Whitesboro History Club will serve as hostesses for the weekend event.