Wells Gallery in Historic Charleston Presents One-Woman Show May 6

CHARLESTON, SC
February 28, 2005

For years, Charleston, South Carolina’s history has mesmerized both visitors and natives while art aficionados have been drawn to the city’s vibrant art world. Now, both avid lovers of art and history will have an opportunity to learn about the holy city’s history through the eye of Charlestonian and artist, Marty Whaley Adams. The Wells Gallery in historic Charleston is honored to present The Lowcountry: Old Times Not Forgotten, featuring Adams latest creations, on Friday, May 6, 2005, at 5 p.m.

This one-woman show features paintings, which have been taken from Adams own private collection of family photographs, as well as old black and white photographs, courtesy of the Charleston Museum and the South Carolina Historical Society. Each of her paintings offers glimpses inside Charleston life during the late 19th and 20th centuries, identifying significant relationships between people, and people with nature. They show many different dimensions of Southern life.

“These paintings illustrate Charleston life,” she explains. I want to show people what life was like in Charleston years ago; who lived in Charleston; where did they live, and what did they do.”

For Adams, the process of creating this amazing show has also touched her emotionally,” I draw a personal connection to these paintings,” she explains, “Behind each painting is a story.” Through the process of gathering the photos and recreating them on canvas, she has come face to face with relatives of the past, old family friends and significant places from her own childhood.

Adams, the daughter of the late Charleston gardener and author, Emily Whaley, whose garden is the most visited private garden in the United States, and the subject of the national best-selling book, Mrs. Whaley and her Charleston Garden, is primarily self-taught. Her work is inspired by both personal and collective memories. Critics have identified qualities in her work, which remind them of well-renowned artists, such as Vuillard, Bonnard and Matisse. Adams was also an Artist-in-Residence for Victoria Magazine in 1995.

In conjunction of the show, the Wells Gallery will host “Tea with Marty Whaley Adams” on May 7th at 3:00pm, as part of the Charleston Fine Art Dealers’ Association Studio Series. Avid art collectors and lovers of history will enjoy one-on-one with this legendary artist, as she takes you through the exhibit, explaining the inspiration behind each of the paintings, as well as sharing her own personal stories of some of the places and people in them. Cost is $15 per person. Proceeds will benefit the Charleston Fine Art Dealers’ Association’s Scholarship. Tea and teatime delights will be served.

For more than a decade, The Wells Gallery has played a significant role in developing Charleston as a top fine arts destination. The gallery’s collection of fine art represents an eclectic group of contemporary artists from across the United States who paints in a variety of styles and subject matters.

The gallery showcases a selection of paintings, jewelry and glass work of some of the Lowcountry’s finest artists, Claire Farrell, Gary Gowans, Karen Larson Turner, George Pate, Kate Long, Gary Grier, Dan Cooper, Joseph Cave, Bill Gallen, Sue Stewart, Brad Lorbach, Glenn Harrington, Marty Whaley Adams, David Goldhagen, Alex Zapata, Russell Gordon and Felice Killian.

Wells Gallery is located at 103 Broad Street in Downtown Charleston on the corner of Broad and King Streets. For more information on The Wells Gallery please call 843. 853.3233, or visit the website at www.wellsgallery.com.

IMAGES OF PAINTINGS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Media Contact:
Sherrie Bakshi/Vladia Jurcova
843-906-2579/843-345-3275
sherrie@styleepr.com/vladia@styleepr.com