The Work show by photographer Rain honors community effort

Johnson County Center for the Arts is excited to have photographer, designer, and potter Ciara Rain as its March Featured Artist. Ciara's show titled THE WORK celebrates the grit, determination and beauty of a community that has embraced her. By photographing its members' hands, Ciara honors the shared labor and care through which the community continues to make itself stronger, healthier, and more beautiful. Born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains, Ciara's work is inspired by the beauty and strength of these mountains and the people who call them home. A portrait photographer of 23 years, Ciara Rain has focused her lens on the challenge of capturing her subject's true light. "As an artist I fell in love with photography after training as a wedding photographer's assistant in high school," said Ciara. "This photographer inspired a love of portraiture that had taken control of my soul, the challenge of seeing beauty in everything and everyone. Studying Photography in college brought me closer and closer to the truth of my obsession, that after we are gone, the weight and importance of a true portrait of someone's essence only grows. The responsibility to capture the true spirit of my subject has felt like my life's calling." THE WORK "This show, which I'm calling THE WORK, features black and white portraits of hard-working hands and was inspired by my mother's hands after surgery," said Ciara. "A tribute to her sacrifices for her Life's work as a floral designer, environmentalist, early childhood educator, and volunteer." The pieces in THE WORK will be displayed on a variety of mediums, from an encaustic technique, to images on canvas and metal. The show will also feature some of Ciara's pottery work; ceramic cups, bowls, and vases. Newfound Passion Pottery was brought into Ciara's life through THE WORK project, when she visited Nature Speaks studio for the first time to photograph potter Jean Ann Savery's hands. "I was so inspired that I took my first class in April and have been completely obsessed with it ever-since," says Ciara. "Ceramics, while being a medium that my artist father was very talented in, had never been a medium that called to me. After my visit to Nature Speaks studio I was inspired to take Jean Ann's wheel throwing class. I had been missing the hand-eye connection, I missed the mess of making art, the act of play that keeps the inspiration engine moving forward, and pushing my own boundaries." You can see more of Ciara's work at the Johnson County Center for the Arts 'Gallery on Main as well as on her social media sites. THE WORK Show Opening is Friday, March 6, from 4-6 p.m. at the Johnson County Center for the Arts' Gallery on Main at 129 W. Main St. Mountain City, Tenn. This is a great opportunity to meet the artist, see her creations, and get the story behind each piece.There will be light refreshments and as always, a local musician.