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Published Wednesday, October 28, 2009 in Local

Penley art exhibit, reception opens Thursday at Centre

By News Staff

The Newnan Times-Herald

An exhibit of Georgia artist Steve Penley's work opens Thursday at the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts in Newnan, with a public reception for the artist between 6-8 p.m.

Penley, of Carrollton, Ga., is known nationally for his pop-culture, oil-on-canvas treatment of iconic American figures, from American presidents to scientists to artists.

His paintings have been acquired by many distinguished corporate, public and private collections, including Coca-Cola, King and Spalding law firm, Houston's Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, D.C., Mercer University, Robert Mondavi, Booth Western Art Museum and the Georgia Museum of Art. Private collections of his work include those of Gov. Sonny Perdue, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson and former U.S. Senator and Georgia Governor Zell Miller, vintner Robert Mondavi, former UGA Football Head Coach Vince Dooley, singer Faith Hill and author Ferrol Sams, as well as the collections of the late former Georgia Attorney General Griffin Bell and the late former White House Chief of Staff Hamilton Jordan.

Penley will hold a master class for Coweta County middle and high school art students Thursday afternoon before attending the reception at the Centre Thursday night.

The 6 p.m. reception honoring Penley -- and unveiling his November showing at the Francoise Gilot gallery -- is open to the public.

The gallery is located at the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts, on Lower Fayetteville in Newnan. Call 770-254-2787 for directions.

Born in 1964 in Chattanooga, Tenn., Penley was raised in Athens and Macon, Ga. In 1983 he began studying art at the University of Georgia in Athens, and later at the School of Visual Arts in New York.

Best known for his iconic portraits, Penley has become one of America's most popular artists emerging from the South. His signature painting style incorporates a unique style of bold color, strong brush strokes and vivid imagery. Although his subject matter is always familiar, his unique ability lies in his reinterpretation of images from popular American art and culture.

An international breakthrough for Penley's art was heralded by the selection of his work for "True Color: Mediations on the American Spirit, an artist's response to 9/11." Organized by the Meridian Center in Washington, D.C., this exhibit toured the globe with destinations including New York, Istanbul, Cairo, London and Atlanta.

In 2004, Penley was selected as the official artist of the G-8 Summit on Georgia's Sea Island. He received an official commendation from the Georgia State Senate in 2005.

2008 was a significant year for Penley. His solo exhibition at the New World of Coca-Cola followed an exhibit by the Andy Warhol gallery, and the recent release of his third book "The Reconstruction of America."

Published my Mercer University Press, the book features iconic images that celebrate America, along with a forward by Neal Cavuto.

In 2008, Penley also collaborated with Vince Dooley, the legendary former football coach of the University of Georgia, that chronicles the exciting history of Georgia football.

Also at the Centre, "To Kill a Mockingbird" will be presented by Montana Reparatory Theatre, the theater in residence at The University of Montana, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens; $5 for Coweta County School System students and faculty with ID.