BY DANIELLE MORGAN

Contributing Writer

More than 50 students, faculty and community members gathered in the Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art on Aug. 22 to view two separate shows, both by two southern women painters: Dale Kennington and Carrie Hill. Guests enjoyed food and drinks as they wandered around the gallery.

At around 6:30 p.m., the presentations began. Kennington spoke first. She earned her bachelor of arts degree from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Al. She continued to do post-graduate work at Auburn University. She discussed three of her pieces,  “Armed and Ready,” “The Debutantes,” “Do You Know Your Neighbors?”. All were very similar in style. They were oil paintings that started out from personal photographic references.

Kennington did not spend too much time discussing her art. She talked about these three pieces and answered questions, but mostly let the art speak for itself. Junior graphic design major Alex Sridej said he really enjoyed getting to talk to Dale Kennington.

“She was so helpful in how she explained her process of painting,” he said.

Hill’s works were also discussed. Relatives Julius Linn of Birmingham and Graham C. Boettcher, curator of American art at the Birmingham Museum of Art spoke behalf of the late artist.

Hill had both oil paintings and watercolor on display, as well as a few sketches. Linn introduced Hill’s works and gave a brief background on the artist, and Boettcher elaborated on some parts of her life that were crucial to her success as an artist.

Boettcher said that Hill began painting after a train ride in her early life. The train broke down and a fellow rider of hers took out an easel, some painting supplies and began painting. Hill believed his paintings were “magic,” as Boettcher said. It was after this incident that she began painting. She went on to study art and eventually came to study under George Elmer Brown.

With Brown, Hill traveled to Europe to continue to paint. The majority of the pieces of the show on display were painted while Hill was in Europe.

“[Hill’s show] was a beautiful show that we were all very grateful to have in our gallery. [It] is the first historic art show we have had at the museum,” said sophomore arts administration major Chance Hunter

Although Kennington’s show is no longer on display, Hill’s work is up for viewing until Sept. 30.

The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and is free to the public to visit.