About Southern Exposure

Spartanburg’s oldest artist cooperative is celebrating its 25th year.
Six artists organized in 1978 as a group to create support for artistic efforts.  Carol Augthun, Jessica Barnes, Claire Miller Hopkins and Amy Goldstein-Rice are charter members.  The group was enlarged to nine members immediately after its first exhibition at 249 East Main Street, Geiss and Sons Jewelers.  Over the years the group has added and lost other members, and today has grown to its current membership of fourteen. 
 
Jerry James, who died in 1985, was a member of the original six. Southern Exposure has included one of his paintings in this 25th Anniversary Show in memory of his membership.
 
Southern Exposure has exhibited frequently all over the Southeast, and as far away as New York City. In and around Spartanburg County, the group frequently makes quality artwork accessible to people who do not visit museums and galleries by showing in public places and office spaces. Often these shows have a theme such as “Red,” or “A Common Thread.” For this exhibition, however, we wanted to give each artist the freedom to show his or her own work without any thematic restrictions.
 
At present, the group of fourteen is a strong, viable, cohesive group showing together several times a year and meeting once a month for inspiration and planning. This 25th Anniversary Show consists of new work in each member’s personal style, including painting, drawing, ceramics, fiber art, sculpture, printmaking and photography.