September brings three of the summer’s finest exhibits to the Center for the Arts. The Main Gallery features a collection of works by Morgan Summers. Local artist Heidi Johnson is featured in the Miller Gallery, and Cathy Baker-Ramsey’s work honors Craniosynostosis Awareness Month in the Spotlight Gallery. The public is invited to the opening reception on Friday, September 6 from 5-7 p.m. These exhibits will be on display through September 28.
HOMEGROWN: The Journey So Far marks Morgan Summers’ debut solo art exhibition. A local designer-turned-muralist, Summers is renowned for her vibrant murals which can be seen throughout Downtown Panama City and in Central and South Florida. This showcase shifts her creative sensibilities towards new mediums, exploring themes rooted in Floridian nature, the local community, and her own personal history.
Local artist Heidi Johnson brings her creations to the Miller Gallery. A native of Colorado, Heidi began expressing herself artistically at a very young age, from making collages out of dried weeds and sewing costumes for herself. She has earned several awards for her work, ranging from a conquistador costume made out of foil, 2nd place in a national art contest for a pottery piece and second place for a city-wide Gingerbread House Contest. Costume-creating for over 15 years Heidi also helped build a mermaid costume for a Hong Kong mall opening in 1998.
The Spotlight Gallery features a collection of works in honor of Craniosynostosis Awareness Month by local artist Cathy Baker-Ramsey. Craniosynostosis is the premature fusion of one or more of the sutures in a baby’s skull, and affects about 1 in 2,500 births. Early recognition of the condition can help parents make informed choices about treatment options, which often involve surgical correction.
“Art has been such a healing outlet for me throughout my life,” said Baker-Ramsey, “and I am so happy to share art with my son Oryan, who has added his own creative contribution to each piece. My motto in life can be summed up in the quote by John Lennon, ‘Every child is an artist until they’re told they’re not.’”
The Center for the Arts is open Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
