Dreams of France: Old and New Fine Art Show Sept. 20-28 at The Art School in Sandy Springs

Opens Tomorrow!  Three Atlanta artists and one from Pinehurst, NC with a strong Atlanta following will present their second fine art show together Sept. 20-28 at The Art School in Sandy Springs, 330 Sandy Springs Circle, 30328, (www.theartschoolinsandysprings.com). Pieces by Cynthia Perryman, Jessie Mackay, Wanda Hopkins and Jane Scott will be exhibited and offered for sale, along with works by Pinehurst artist Jane Casnellie, Decatur artist Kelly Ayers Sheehan and students of Perryman’s and Mackay’s who recently traveled to France to study with the two professional artists. The show is entitled Dreams of France: Old and New, and many of the pieces were created during the trip abroad. Marie Mealor, owner of Marie Mealor & Associates, will offer a selection of antique French paintings at the show.

“The beautiful towns and countryside of France inspire artists of all experience levels, and we will paint outside as much as possible,” said Perryman, who has led several study abroad trips to Europe. “Jessie and I will work directly with each student to help them improve their design skills and painting technique and encourage their personal painting styles. I hope people will enjoy seeing a group of works with a common theme exhibited together, and hope they will want to take a little bit of France home with them by purchasing a painting, photo, cut paper piece or drawing.”

The students who will participate in the show are: Dr. Mary Lynn Ayers, Missy Craver, Angela Hannaford and Janet Owens. Dreams of France: Old and New will open Saturday, Sept. 20 from 4-7 p.m. and will continue through Sunday, Sept. 28 from 1-7 p.m. each day. Both Perryman and Scott will be at the Art School in Sandy Springs creating new works throughout the show, and the other participating artists will attend on various days. For more information, visit www.cynthiaperrymanart.com.

About the Professional Artists

Wanda Hopkins – The daughter of a U.S. Air Force pilot, Hopkins grew up in diverse communities within the U.S. and in Japan. Her travels and experiences are evident in her photography, as she witnesses people in their environments and transforms her impressions into art through photography. A self-taught artist, Hopkins draws inspiration from art and history. She currently lives in Buckhead. www.wandahopkins.com

Jessie Mackay – Oil painter Jessie Mackay was born in Washington, D.C. to British parents. For the past six years, she has traveled the world to gain inspiration for her landscape and figurative paintings and to raise funds for Karimu, a nonprofit she created with friend Tally Bundy to aid the people of Tanzania. A former Atlanta resident, Mackay now lives in Pinehurst, N.C. www.jessiemackay.com

Cynthia Perryman – ‘A familiar member of Atlanta’s arts community as the long-time owner of Vista Gallery in Decatur, Perryman sold the gallery a few years ago so she could concentrate on her landscape and still life oil paintings. As a former teacher and member of the professional staff at the Hudgens Center for the Arts, Perryman is passionate about arts education for children. She lives in Suwanee, Ga. www.cynthiaperrymanart.com.

Jane Scott – After retiring from a successful career at AT&T, Scott re-directed her energies and talents into oil paintings and pencil and charcoal sketches, specializing in landscapes, portraits and figures. Scott was a Fine Arts major in college, and says she has loved creating art since she was a very young child. She is the recipient of several arts awards and lives in Suwanee, Ga. www.scottcreative.com

Jane Casnellie – A native of England, Casnellie specializes in oil paintings of landscapes, still lifes, animals and wildlife. The Pinehurst, N.C. resident also creates pet portraits and teaches oil painting. She owns Hollyhocks Gallery in Pinehurst, which features her own work, as well as works from other Southeastern artists. www.janecasnellie.com

Kelly Ayers Sheehan is both a graphic artist and a fine arts painter, and her profession influences her art. She specializes in gouache cutouts and oil paintings, using flat, bold colors and drawing on her expertise in layout and design to assemble the cutout pieces into dramatic works. Sheehan lives in Decatur. www.kellyayerssheehan.com.