>> SUPPORTING AREA ARTISTS
Allied Arts hosted an exhibition for Cindy Stubbs, an artist from Social Circle, known for hand-built pottery and acrylic painting.
Stubbs first began exploring her interest in the two mediums when she was in high school.
According to Stubbs, her high school art teacher “allowed freedom of originality.” Anything she created in that class allowed her the opportunity to put personal expression and interest into it.
“I had a great art teacher who let us explore whatever we wanted. The freedom she gave us to create is what allowed us to learn and become interested in art and its various mediums,” said Stubbs.
According to Stubbs, her interest in art led her to become involved with the community.
She began volunteering with Bridge of Georgia, a therapy center for kids with special needs, to assist with pottery and would eventually begin teaching pottery. She has taught twice a week at the Rutledge Community Depot for six years. She has also worked closely with Social Circle Theater to teach classes and teach during their annual camp.
“Art has always come naturally to me. I took classes here and there but my experience has primarily been self-driven,” said Stubbs.
“And I love working in my community to teach and volunteer with various events.”
According to Stubbs, when teaching, she has followed the same model of freedom that her high school teacher offered her. She believes that making art that only fits specific criteria prevents it from being personal.
“Without the freedom to add your own work, it’s more of a copy or their (whomever the teacher is) work,” said Stubbs. “I tell my students that I’m just here to edge them in and that I want them to do their own thing. They are encouraged to change colors, sizes, and more to make it their own.”
Stubbs encourages color and expression above all else in her lessons. Teaching how to explore that desire to make art one’s own is the core of her classes.
“If we are painting daisies, for example, I bring out a huge color palette. I may be showing them how to paint white daisies but if that doesn’t agree with them I encourage them to find what speaks to them.
Paint them another color, and make them have polka dots and such. Whatever makes those daisies feel like they are yours and not a reprint of my own,” said Stubbs.
According to Stubbs, her favorite part of teaching art in these various events is seeing the smiles and final creations that come out of her classes.
“Nothing is worth more than seeing them smile at their own creation,” said Stubbs.
Learning about Stubbs through her own submission to a local art contest hosted by Allied Arts, the nonprofit organization reached out to Stubbs to host her first exhibit.
According to Stubbs, the opening reception on Aug. 11 had a large turnout with many people traveling a long way to see her art.
“This is my first ever exhibit and I was overwhelmed by the recognition,” said Stubbs. “It really touched my heart knowing how many people traveled a long distance to come to see my art and look at the display.”
Each piece exhibited was picked out by Stubbs and her daughter, who also assisted her in pricing everything. The exhibit closed on Aug. 24 but left a lasting impression on Stubbs and the many who were able to visit.