An exhibit of original watercolors featuring 25 paintings from the series The Magnificent Fifty, the US state capitols by local artist Susan Cassidy Wilhoit will be on display in the library of Bryan College, Dayton, Jan. 28 – Feb. 11.
The paintings provide a visual account of local government in a way that helps people understand the story their state. The series raises awareness of some of the best US public architecture, officials said.
Ms. Wilhoit began her career as a watercolor painter of landscapes, architecture and still life. Her artistic journey as a regionalist led her to find a unique “thumbprint” of Tennessee’s past in each community she painted. The first series she began was in 1991. Local patrons in Rhea County commissioned her to paint a collection of watercolors depicting historic landmarks for the local courthouse. She was then commissioned to do series for Hamilton, Bledsoe, Cumberland, and Sevier counties.
Given the title of “Tennessee’s Visual Essayist” Ms. Wilhoit traveled across the state working on a new body of work commemorating Tennessee’s history during its Bicentennial. She worked with The Tennessee State Museum that exhibited her paintings in Legislative Plaza, Nashville and was honored by the Tennessee Legislature.
By special invitation, the collection was exhibited in the Rotunda of the Russell Senate Office Building, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC. Later the paintings were accepted into the collection of the Tennessee State Museum.
The Magnificent Fifty will be completed in 2008 with exhibitions planned for Chattanooga, Washington, DC, and other states.
The exhibition is free and open to the public during regular library hours: Monday -Thursday 7:45 a.m. - 11 p.m. (closed on Wednesdays from 11–12 p.m. for all-college chapel); Friday 7:45 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday 1-5 p.m.; Sunday 2-11 p.m.
Ms. Wilhoit maintains a studio in Smiths Crossroads, 1356 Market St., Dayton. She welcomes visitors to view her latest work in-progress during store hours Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.