Arts Agenda 

By Molly H. McKinneyThe Huddled Masses

Many people paint portraits, but true artists somehow manage to capture not just the image of the person, but also the reality of what the image represents. If the artist is truly gifted, they may even offer us a glimpse inside the head of the subject -- something the casual observer may never see.

Atlanta-based artist Geoffrey Johnson certainly seems to have a knack not just for simple portraiture, but for capturing the emotion of the masses, of people as a whole -- of cities not as asphalt and concrete but as a collection of souls all searching for that perfect path. People 2001 is a collection of almost impressionistic pieces that somehow seem to grasp onto the intangible connection between a city and its people. The image above shows a rainy street filled with people -- the city almost blurred, but still there, hovering about the masses diligently trudging about on their way to wherever the city will take them. The grays and blacks grasp the image of the day, the wispy cloudlike buildings shrouded in rain contrasted against the endless line of people, dark and thick against the stark floating backdrop of the city. There is amazing emotion hidden within the simplicity of his brushstrokes.

People 2001 will be on display at Shain Fine Art Gallery, 601 Providence Rd., through mid-May. For more information on this or other featured artists, contact the gallery at 704-334-7744 or visit on the web at www.shainart.com.

ARTS/RELATED
AFRO-AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER 401 N. Myers St. Returning for an indefinite run: Juke Joint, Willie Little's exhibition of childhood memories. Ongoing through June 25: Creativity and Resistance: Maroon Cultures in the Americas. Ongoing through Aug. 12: Transfer and Influence: African Cultures and Communities in Charlotte. For more information, call 704-374-1565.

BLUE PONY GALLERY & PRESS 3202-A N. Davidson St. May 4-26: Rete Mirabile paintings and linoleum cuts by Todd Drake. Hours are Tues-Sat 11-5pm. Gallery Crawls from 6 to 9pm on first and third Fridays of each month. Details: 704-334-9390.

CENTER OF THE EARTH GALLERY 3204 N. Davidson St. May 4-June 30 exhibit - New Realism exhibition featuring the works of Rebecca Fagg, Scott Fraser, and Carol Lee Thompson. Openings first and third Fridays from 6-9:30pm. Hrs: 11am-5pm Tues-Fri, 12noon-5pm Sat & by appt. Details: 704-375-5756 or www.centeroftheearth.com.

CPCC ART GALLERY on the campus of Central Piedmont Community College. The Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition will run through May 4. Works on display include: paintings, drawings, mixed media, photography, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture. Regular gallery hours are: Mon-Thurs from 11am-3pm and Friday from 11am-1pm. For more information contact the gallery at 704-330-6480.

CHARLOTTE ART LEAGUE 1517 Camden Rd. Spring Into Art an original art competition will through May 15. May 15 7-9pm: James Scott Morrison presents Pulling Your Paintings Together. May 22 7pm: Meet the Arts and Science Council w/interactive conversation with visual artists from the Charlotte Art League. All events are free and open to the public. For more information call

704-376-2787.

CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY CLASSICS presents their season finale Crowning Glory conducted by Enrique Diemecke and featuring Vladimir Viardo on piano along with the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte. The performance will feature the works of Vardi, Rachmanioff, Wagner and Ravel. Show starts at 8pm in the Belk Theater of the Performing Arts Center. Tickets range from $12-$50. For more information call 704-972-2000.

CHEZ ARLAINE BED & BREAKFAST 425 Pecan Ave. On display through May 2: A Collection of Prints and Oils by Pat Williams. Upcoming: May 4-30 Figures in Oil by Donna Wheatley. Opening for artist May 4 from 6-9:30pm. Gallery hours are Tuesday and Thursday from noon-2pm and Wednesday from 5-7pm. Call 704-643-1211 or visit the website at www.arlaineinc.com for more information.

CHRISTA FAUT GALLERY 19818 North Cove Rd., Davidson. May 4-30: By Wind and Water a solo exhibition of paintings by Elizabeth Ross. Opening reception for artist is May 4 from 6:30-8:30pm. Also on exhibit: Clara Couch, Linda Huey, Lin Barnhardt, Joan Tweedy, and Bruno Lavendiere. Hrs: M-F 10am-6pm. Saturday, 10am-4pm. For more info, call 704-892-5312.

THE GALLERY AT CARILLON 227 W. Trade St. Ongoing through July 15: Industrial Evolution a clay invitational with participating artists including Beverly Crist, David Hooker, Mike Knox, Kirk Mangus, Ralph Paquin and Paula Smith. The exhibition is held in conjunction with the NCECA Conference. Gallery Hours: Tue.-Fri. from 11am-6pm. For more information call 704-334-3799.

GALLERY L at the Public Library of Charlotte Mecklenburg County. Works by Warhol from the Cochran Collection on exhibit through May 27. The exhibit showcases a variety of work by the artist Andy Warhol. For more information visit the Gallery L website at www.plcmc.org/galleryL or call 704-336-2020.