Larger-than-life Blooms Come to Life on Silk at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Jamie Kirkell, Silk Artist
Art Exhibit: January 16 – February 28, 2010
Exhibit Opening: Sunday, January 17 2:00-4:00 pm with a Gallery Talk at 3:00 pm

The Alice Hand Callaway Visitor Center & Conservatory
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia
2450 S. Milledge Avenue, Athens
706-542-1244 www.uga.edu/botgarden

Flowers will fill the lobby of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s Visitor’s Center & Conservatory this winter. Traditional silk painting methods and modern design combine to create vivid, larger-than-life blooms that are at the same time delicate and bold.

This vibrant, beautiful exhibit will be on display from January 16 – February 28, 2010. Works by silk artist Jamie Kirkell, who trained in Java under Indonesian Master of Batik Bambang Oetoro, are part of permanent collections on display in many resorts and businesses and exhibited in galleries and botanical gardens throughout the country. Kirkell has lectured or taught at the Museum of Natural History in New York, Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Taos Art Center, the Northeast United States Craft Expo in Reinbeck, NY, Leu Gardens and Brooklyn Botanic Garden. He has 25 years of experience as an artist, including 10 years as a studio art director in New York City. Kirkell will discuss his work, the history of batik and more in a free gallery talk at 3:00 on Sunday, January 17th. Meet the artist and view the many works on display at the art reception from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Visit his website at www.KirkellSilkStudios .com.
You’ll want to own one of the large, bold originals that sell for thousands of dollars, but there will also be gallery wrap pieces that can be purchased for under $100. New in Kirkell’s exhibit are exquisite silk scarves that can decorate a wall or be the focal point of an outfit. Stationery featuring Kirkell’s paintings will be available in the Garden Gift Shop.

Make plans to warm up a winter afternoon with tropical flowers in a tropical conservatory, learning more about an art form of the tropics – at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia.

ZUMBA! in a Tropical Conservatory - Every Wednesday

ZUMBA!
Who is ready to shake those holiday calories away?

We have decided to offer Zumba as an ongoing class throughout the year.
We will have class every Wednesday, 5:30-6:30. We will be using a punch card system to track the classes. Participants will pay for 9 classes and get one class free (members $54/non-members $72). There will be no expiration for the punch card. There is plenty of room in the Visitor Center & Conservatory, which means spread the word.

If you are new to Zumba then be ready to smile, sweat, and shake! It is a great, fun way to exercise and feel like the only thing you have done is visited the Garden to hang out with friends. Once you are able to get the feet movements the rest of your body will follow suit. No one moves the same, so be sure to bring your own flare.

Zumba on the Today Show--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5Hxw_Jf2B4
What to bring/wear: water bottle, towel (if you plan to sweat), tennis shoes, comfy clothes, smiles and hoots. See you there!

Contact Cora for more information at 706-542-6156 or ckeber@uga.edu. Cora is on the Garden's Education staff, a certified Zumba! instructor, and teaching these classes with high energy, a big smaile and lively Latin music. Please join us!