ARTIST LECTURE AT THE FLORENCE COUNTY MUSEUM WATERS GALLERY

Kevin Spaulding, winner of the 2018 Pee Dee Regional Art Competition, will be presenting an afternoon lecture at the Florence County Museum Waters Gallery Friday, March 9, from 12 – 1.

Spaulding took home the $1000 First Place cash prize at the opening reception and awards ceremony for this year’s competition with his exceptional and evocative oil painting, Hearth.

Spaulding is a newcomer to the Pee Dee, and the Pee Dee Regional Art Competition, but is no stranger to the art world. He has been an accomplished artist for over 20 years. He received a degree in Painting and Printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University before living and working in New York.

Around five years ago, Spaulding came to Florence County from New York, where he had worked as an artist’s assistant. Before that, Spaulding studied at the Art Students League.

“There I was able to sharpen my skills working in a variety of mediums (drawing, painting, and sculpture) under the tutelage of such renowned instructors as Barney Hodes and Michael Grimaldi. Major influences on my work are Edward Hopper, Thomas Eakins, and Andrew Wyeth.  Early painters would include Ribera, Velasquez, and Jan Van Eyck.”

Spaulding has two paintings on exhibit in this year’s competition at the Waters Gallery. The works are from his recent Black Paintings Series which the artist will discuss in his Friday lecture.

“Spaulding’s entries are rich, darkly-toned, and technically proficient,” said museum curator Stephen W. Motte. “His subject matter is rendered within a natural environment, but avoids being landscape painting, it appears isolated in place and time, like classical still life. The two works in the competition are photo-realistic in detail, yet minimal in composition. The result is something both traditional and contemporary. I look forward to seeing more from this artist in the future.”

Friday’s presentation is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. The 2018 Pee Dee Regional Art Competition remain on exhibit through March 30, 2018 at the FCM Waters Gallery, 135 South Dargan St.

For more information about the Pee Dee Regional Art Competition and other upcoming exhibits and events, please contact the Florence County Museum at 843.676.1200 or visit the website at flocomuseum.org.