OCAF’S 25th ANNUAL
OCAF SouthWorks Brown Logo

April 17th – May 29th, 2020
Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF)
Watkinsville, GA

SouthWorks 2020 Juror’s Statement

It was a real honor to be the Juror for the 25th Annual Juried Exhibition, SouthWorks 2020 at Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation. There were several strong submissions to the exhibition, and it was very difficult to make my final selections for the show. The submitted artwork showcased several different styles and techniques, and explored a diverse range of materials and mediums. The works showed an intense attention to detail and craftsmanship, while also exploring a wide variety of concepts and emotions. I did sense a common thread that was present throughout all of the selections. Each one expresses emotion through a skillful use of materials. I decided that was a good perspective from which to select work for the exhibition. I found myself experiencing a feeling of longing through some works, and in others I found myself smiling with joy. I encourage every viewer to spend time with each work, and examine the exquisite hand of the artist, and feel what each artist has to share. There is a tremendous amount of talent showcased in this exhibition, much of which is from this region, and all of that is something to embrace and to celebrate.

Chris Clamp, Juror
Chris Clamp Biography »

Enter the Main Gallery

Get to Know the Artist

Watch the following videos to learn more about these artists and their award winning art.

Deborah Tidwell
“The Tea Party” (Best in Show)

Jonathan Merrill
“Stronger” (Merit Award 2D)

Mark Beduhn
“Sunflower Kinetic Sculpture” (Honorable Mention)

Opportunities to Support OCAF

If you’d like to help Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF) advance our mission consider lending your support to through a charitable donation, become a member, or get in touch with us about sponsorship opportunities at 706-769-4565.
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Chris Clamp, OCAF’s SouthWorks 2020 Juror

Chris Clamp

SouthWorks 2020 Juror

Chris Clamp is a realist oil painter living and working in Charlotte, NC. He holds a B.F.A. with a concentration in painting from Winthrop University (’01).

Clamp has spent the past 18 years as an integral member of the arts community in Charlotte. For 15 years, Clamp worked at Jerald Melberg Gallery as an exhibition designer, chief art handler, and trusted consultant to clients. In 2017, he left Jerald Melberg Gallery to open the newest branch of the New York-based art logistics company, Atelier 4. After establishing and building the new branch, Clamp formed his own, independent art handling business, so that he could focus more fully on his painting career.

Since this latest shift in his professional life, Clamp has enjoyed new opportunities as an artist. In the summer of 2019, Clamp was honored with an artist residency at the internationally acclaimed McColl Center for Art + Innovation in Charlotte, NC. Immediately following his residency, he was invited to be the artist-in-residence for the fall 2019 semester at Charlotte Country Day School, where he taught advanced students and had a solo show of his most recent paintings.