It's All About Faith at 80808 May 26-May 31 ART

It's All About Faith

– The art show features portraits, paintings and sculpture by Barbie and Faith Mathis and 20 other well known Columbia area artists. “The Faith Paintings” are a series by Barbie Mathis that celebrate the individuality and creativity of Faith Mathis, an emerging artist who dares to be herself. The show is at Vista Studios/Gallery 80808, 808 Lady Street, Columbia, SC 29201 – Thurs. 5/26 through Mon. 5/31 - Opening Reception 6 - 9 pm on Thurs. 5/26

Faith Mathis, a featured artist and subject of the show, has attended summer programs at the Governor’s School for the Arts, and at Tri-DAC hosted by Columbia College, where she has been offered an art scholarship to become a studio arts major. Faith's works include pen and ink on paper with markers or watercolors, mixed media paintings, and a series of sculptures called “My Life in Dolls.” Additionally, she created a life-size sculpture, cast from her own body, which functions as an IPOD speaker. Never one to stifle her opinions, Faith is a vocal advocate for arts education in public schools where she hopes to teach art some day.

Barbie Mathis has been working as a professional artist since 1980. Starting as an illustrator and designer, then becoming an acclaimed watercolorist, with an emphasis on natural subject matters and people immersed in rich, dramatic backgrounds. Barbie is a signature member of the South Carolina Watermedia Society. “How Long Must I Wait” was the first piece of “the Faith Series”, and it was included in the 2009 traveling show for SCWS. Barbie has also exhibited in numerous shows around the state, winning various awards including 1st Place at the Trenholm Artists Guild Show in March, 2011. at www.BarbieMathis.com,www.BarbieMathisStudio.blogspot.com,www.BarbieMathisStudio.Etsy.com . Listing of current venues will be on Barbie's Blog.

The unique nature of this exhibition is summed up in its title:"It’s all about Faith". Faith Mathis is featured as model and as an artist in her own right. Gallery hours are weekdays 11 am – 3 pm, Sunday 1 – 4 pm. Barbie Mathis will be on hand those days to meet the public. An opening reception, with many of the featured artists including Barbie and Faith, will be held Thursday evening, 5/26, from 6 to 9 PM at the gallery.

It's All About Faith - Featured Artists

Barbie Mathis, Faith Mathis, Jean Bourque, Rachel Parker, Bonnie Goldberg, Anastasia Chernoff, Michael Krajewski, Susan Lenz, Ron Marsh, Howard Hunt, Gail Cunningham, Lauren Maurer, Roy Paschal, Tam Hicks, Peggy Nunn, Michael Bolin, David Phillips, Palei Leonard, Ingrid Carson, Renee Ittner-McManus, Karen Langley and Jonny Mondragon

Contact: Barbie Mathis at 803-261-3038 or barbie@barbiemathis.com .

Photo copyright by Jean Bourque of Barbie and Faith Mathis. This was from the Talent Show at White Knoll HS where Faith portrayed herself and sang as Lady Gaga . early 2010.