The Lyndon House Arts Center provides artists with the opportunity to display their art through various exhibitions and artistry displays.

On Thursday, Jan. 16, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., the LHAC held an Artist Reception to celebrate the opening of two new exhibitions: “Twist,” works by Carol John, and “Distillations,” works by Patti Roberts-Pizzuto and Johntimothy Pizzuto. A third exhibit titled “fast tracks, ski masks, and plaid slacks” by Tim Root was also on display at the reception.

The Artist Reception was open to the Athens community for free, allowing viewers and artists to appreciate the works displayed. The reception had all of the work displayed on the first floor in various rooms, where each area highlighted a particular artist or category of art.

Along with the works of the exhibiting artists, there was also a display of elementary and middle school students’ work.

The works displayed at the reception ranged from minimalist drawings to large paintings and prints.

Tim Root, an artist whose work with wood and bits of wire was displayed at the reception in the LHAC Lobby Case as part of the “fast tracks, ski masks, and plaid slacks” exhibition, discussed his experience with art and what inspired him to begin creating his work.

“I’ve had friends who make out of, resin or plastic, their own action figures,” Root said. “And so I always wanted to do that, but the learning curve…I was like, ‘no I’m not gonna do that.’”

Instead of trying to make action figures like his friends, Root decided to start woodworking. When creating art out of wood, Root said that for him, it is mostly “cutting things up and trial and error.”

“Mainly music or just reading something will kind of get me interested, but I guess all my friends inspire me,” Root said.

Root’s colorful wooden constructions draw from a comic book aesthetic and attempt to “inject an adult’s perspective into the playground of imagination,” according to the exhibit description.

Andrea Wellnitz, facility and program supervisor at the LHAC, said that as an artist herself, doing her job with the LHAC resonates with her personal interests.

“I had always thought when this job came open that it was for me,” Wellnitz said. “It really brings all of the things that I love all together in one place.”

Wellnitz said that when displaying artists’ work, the LHAC prepares their events, displays and galleries far ahead. According to Wellnitz, the LHAC is already looking to plan new rotating galleries for other spaces of the center to start in 2027.

Along with rotating contemporary exhibitions, the LHAC holds workshops and art classes, provides studio memberships, and offers multiple events throughout the year for the Athens community to attend.

Those interested in learning more about upcoming LHAC events can visit the Lyndon House Arts Center page on the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government website.