Local artist displays depictions at library

DSCN8503x.jpg [1]

By ANGIE CARNATHAN

A new collection of art is appearing at the Starkville Library throughout the month of February. The show is called “The Louisiana Bayou Series” and was painted by Betty Jane Chatham.
Chatham said she began the series following a trip last spring to Baldwin, La., to help out in a mission project putting together kits to send to devastated areas of the world.
“My love of landscape through the years led me to concentrate on paintings of nature and the wonderful scenes of God’s creation,” Chatham said. “I have always been fascinated with the Deep South and its waterways and bayous.”
Chatham said during her time in Louisiana she took a great many photos of Bayou Tesche.
“That was where the facility at which we stayed and worked was located,” Chatham said. “The show is a result of those studies of the beautiful scenery we were surrounded by.” 
Chatham studied art in many places throughout the years including MUW, Delta State, Memphis Academy of Art, High Museum School of Art and Mississippi State University.
Chatham has had solo shows at the following venues: The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Laurel; Meridian Community College, Jones County Junior College; Newport, R.I.; and the Germantown, Tenn. Municipal Gallery as well as group shows in various places in the United States.
“I was a participant in the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion Revolving Exhibit for several years,” Chatham said.
Chatham said in 2011 she and Frances Thompson, a renowned Starkville artist, had an exhibit at the Mississippi State University Colvard Student Union Art Gallery during the month of March.
Chatham’s exhibit will be up throughout the month of February. For more information, visit the Starkville Public Library at 326 University Drive or call 662-323-2766.