GSW Visual Arts faculty highlight creativity and collaboration in regional exhibition

AMERICUS, Ga. (Oct. 23, 2026) — Faculty members from Georgia Southwestern State University's (GSW) Department of Visual Arts are showcasing their creative talents in Collegium, a group exhibition on display at the Albany Area Arts Council through Oct. 30, 2026.

The exhibition features works by four GSW faculty members: Laurel Robinson, professor of painting and drawing; Keaton Wynn, professor of art history and ceramics and department chair; Charles Wells, professor of sculpture, glass and printmaking; and Justin Hodges, assistant professor of photography and digital arts. Following an opening reception on Sept. 3, the exhibition continues to offer visitors an opportunity to explore the diverse artistic styles, media and creative approaches of GSW's Visual Arts faculty.

"This exhibition highlights the diverse creative talents of our faculty,” the faculty shared in a joint artists' statement. “The title of this show describes the community and culture of our program. We see each other more as family than colleagues. We’re able to nurture, challenge, and encourage each other in both the classroom and studio. As professional exhibiting artists, we share a philosophy that values skill development, conceptual curiosity, and a profound respect for the mystery and meaning of the materials we explore."

The opening reception brought together faculty, students and community members, providing an opportunity to engage with the artists, explore their recent works and gain insight into their creative philosophies and practices.

For GSW Visual Arts students, the exhibition offered a unique opportunity to see their professors' work beyond the classroom and gain a deeper appreciation for their roles as practicing artists.

"The faculty show at the Albany Arts Council was very interesting for me to see," said Dakota Nash, a junior fine arts major. "Seeing the work of our professors helped me to connect with them better and see that they are still active artists making work to be exhibited."

Justin Hodges, assistant professor of photography and digital arts, emphasized the collaborative spirit reflected throughout the exhibition.

"I'm really excited about this new body of work and about the exhibition as a whole," said Hodges. "The Albany Arts Council is a great venue for the show, since all four of our individual works interact well together in the space. Though our work makes use of different media, it's evident throughout the exhibition that we all appreciate and are informed by one another. It's always a great pleasure to exhibit with my colleagues whom I respect and admire."

GSW's Department of Visual Arts offers hands-on instruction in ceramics, digital art, drawing and painting, glass, photography, printmaking and sculpture. The department is particularly distinguished by its glass program, established during the emergence of the American Studio Glass movement in the early 1970s. As one of the oldest programs of its kind in the country, GSW remains the only state university in Georgia to offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts in glass.

In addition to its strong foundation in traditional studio arts, the department embraces emerging technologies through its digital makers' space, equipped with large-format printers, 3D printing technology and professional photography and video equipment.

With small class sizes, 24/7 access to well-equipped studios and personalized faculty mentorship, GSW students benefit from an environment that encourages artistic exploration and professional growth. Graduates have pursued careers as professional artists, arts entrepreneurs, museum directors and educators, including many K–12 art teachers throughout the region.

Collegium is on display at the Albany Area Arts Council, located at 215 N. Jackson St. in Albany, Ga., through Oct. 30. Gallery hours are noon to 4 p.m. The exhibition will then be reinstalled in GSW's Fine Arts Gallery beginning Nov. 2, providing another opportunity for the campus and local community to experience the faculty's work.

Learn more about GSW's Department of Visual Arts at gsw.edu/VisualArts.

Photos from Albany Area Arts Council