ArtsCool in Midtown Celebrates Grand Opening with Reception for Local Artist Irving Cohen

ArtsCool In Midtown: A gallery and Working Studio announces its grand opening. Drop by ArtsCool in Midtown in the Historic Ingleside Village for a Wine and Cheese Reception featuring an Exhibition of Works and Gallery Talk by renowned local artist Irving Cohen. Saturday, September 9, 2006, 6-9 pm.

Macon, GA (PRWEB) August 3, 2006 -- Come celebrate ArtsCool in Midtown’s Grand Opening with a Wine and Cheese reception featuring an exhibition of works and gallery talk by renowned local artist Irving Cohen.

The New York native gained professional status as an artist in the late depression years. In New York, he worked for the J. Keller Art Agency and did illustrations for Women’s Wear Daily. His art career was interrupted by a tour of Army duty from 1941 to 1945. While in the Army, Cohen served as a cartographer and surveyor in the Pacific and returned to be stationed at Fort Benning. Having lived in Columbus, GA for 60 years, he currently resides in Macon.

Cohen has concentrated on oil painting and has been inspired by the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters, influences easily seen in his work. His oils have a vitality and flair that easily involve the viewer, and his true love of painting shows. “Composition is of the utmost importance, with my subject matter varying from figurative work to landscapes,” says Cohen.

Cohen remains amazingly youthful, vibrant and as passionate about his craft as ever. An experienced art teacher, Cohen taught for four years at Columbus State University. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet this incredible artist and hear him speak about his prolific career which has spanned a lifetime!

Mr. Cohen will be the Artist-in-Residence at ArtsCool in Midtown in September, giving two six-week classes in basic and intermediate drawing for adults, starting Monday, September 11, 2006. Enrollment is limited. Call ArtsCool in Midtown at 478-746-1447 for more information.

About ArtsCool

ArtsCool in Midtown provides fine arts instruction for children, teens and adults of any skill level. Our mission is to create a nuturing environment for art enthusiasts to learn from skilled artists who are passionate about teaching. We offer affordable workshops and lessons in a variety of disciplines and mediums. Enrolled students receive free studio time during regular business hours and discounts on Artist-in-Residence classes and workshops. All Exhibitions and Gallery Talks are free and open to the public. Call Owner/Instructor Crystal Watkins at 478-746-1447 for more information, or drop by and meet Crystal in person at 2384 Ingleside Avenue, Macon, Georgia.

About Crystal Watkins (Owner/Instructor)

Woman Entrepreneur Adds to Macon’s Arts & Cultural Landscape

What do you do when you’re 48, the nest is emptying, and your
creative juices and power surges are rising? Open a new business where your love of learning, fascination with people, and passion for art can meet, of course!

Crystal Watkins opened "ArtsCool in Midtown" in June of this year. "ArtsCool" is a working studio, art school, and gallery where people of all ages and skill levels can come and create their own beautiful "fine" art. She is very, very excited about the opportunity to share what she knows, to learn from others and to provide quality art instruction, in the form of regular classes, workshops, and guest demonstrations taught by well known and highly skilled local and regional artists in all mediums. She hopes to contribute to the thriving arts and cultural environment developing in Macon.

Crystal grew up in Augusta, Georgia. She graduated from Emory College in Atlanta in 1980 with a B. A. in English Literature. She is the mother of three Generation X' ers: Lydia, Solomon and Miriam Sewell. She moved to Macon with her family in 1988.

Always a lover of art in all forms, Crystal collected and admired the work of others for years while raising the children, making a home, teaching aerobics, becoming a certified massage therapist, being active in church (St. Francis Episcopal), community, and school activities. While searching for her "bliss" she became an accomplished cook, went on and off countless diets (because of the former), studied and learned to speak (some) Spanish, ran a marathon, and visited art museums whenever possible. She insisted that her children look at and appreciate art. They did and still do.

“Crystal finds inspiration and is ‘arrested’ by beauty everywhere.”

She is interested in the art of women, contemporary African American artists and in the work of little known, but talented unsung local
artists.

Her hobbies include reading self-help books (which she gave up for Lent this past season), and exercising. At this juncture in her life, she is especially grateful for her small circle of friends, her children, extended family, God's grace, and finding something to laugh about each and every day.

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