Setzer, Augthun and Hopkins together again for art exhibit

Carol Augthun, Claire Miller Hopkins and Sara Dame Setzer exhibited together in the mid-1980s at Morton Antiques in downtown Spartanburg. The three enjoyed the collaboration and the friendship. Though each is a two-dimensional artist, their works were diverse in subject and style, and they felt they complemented each other well.

THREE ARTISTS TOGETHER AGAIN - Together Again III, featuring recent works by Carol Augthun, Claire Miller Hopkins and Gaffney resident Sara Dame Setzer, is on display through Oct. 31 in the Artists' Guild Gallery at the Chapman Cultural Center, 200 E. St. John St., Spartanburg. The artists will be honored with a reception Thursday, Oct. 11, from 6-8 p.m. They were able to exhibit together again in 1995 at Gallery 522 on Morgan Square with a show titled "Together Again . . . A Decade Later." They made a pact at that time that they would exhibit together once every 10 years.

They missed their once every decade timetable by two years, but are being able to show together again this month at the Artists' Guild Gallery in the Spartanburg County Museum of Art.

The threesome, all members of Southern Exposure, are filled with anticipation regarding the show, especially being able to exhibit in the guild's gallery at the new Chapman Cultural Center. Their anticipation also relates to deciding exactly what route each will take for the show.

Setzer has remained intrigued with two of the topics Southern Exposure instigated, Journey and Draw First. She has decided to exhibit primarily monoprints and companion works in watercolor. Her subjects typically have whimsical or quirky overtones. Setzer, of Gaffney, is a retired art professor from Limestone College.

"I started doing monoprints on a more continuing basis in the early 1990's when I needed a different outlet for art making," Setzer said. "I've always had a strong attraction for line and texture, especially in etchings. I found that the linear printmaking approach I'd rediscovered could offer some of etching's characteristics without requiring a press.

"I've not tired yet of toothbrushes even though they led to paint brushes. I've used some of the same subjects with other media."

Augthun, who completed a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction in 2006, always produces images that are edgy and unusual in subject and technique. She often works on large scale using mixed media, innovative materials, and spiffy framing. In terms of subject matter, she often chooses contemporary events about which she can make social commentary. Augthun teaches art at Pine Street School.

Hopkins is well known in the area and nationally for her figurative paintings and still lifes in both oils and pastels. Lately she has been concentrating on still lifes. For a different approach for this show, she said she might use images that are lighted from the back. Hopkins teaches painting and drawing at the Spartanburg County Museum of Art.

The artists will be honored with a reception on Thursday, Oct. 11, from 6-8 p.m. in the Artists' Guild Gallery at the Chapman Cultural Center, 200 E. St. John St., Spartanburg. Their works can be seen through Oct. 31.