ARTS BRIEFS

Crossman, Smith at gallery exhibit

Fletcher Crossman's works are easily recognized: the muted palette, the thought-provoking subject matter, the often massive canvases.

His enormous paintings were selected as the 2007 Piccolo Spoleto Invitational Exhibit, turned the Gaillard Auditorium into an over-sized art-and-light display in 2008, and his 15-foot-high picture of a crucified woman drew crowds to its installation at the Circular Church in August.

Tonight, another side of Crossman's work will be revealed when his smaller studio studies are put on exhibit at the Mary Martin Gallery, accompanied by a book about the artist. "The Age of Endarkenment," written by local author Nick Smith, explores the British painter's experiences in coming to America and the development of his oversized style.

Both Crossman and Smith will be present for the reception at 5:30-8 p.m. tonight at the Mary Martin Gallery, 39 Broad Street.

For more information, visit www.marymartinart.com or call 723-0303.

Charleston Artist Guild Gallery

In celebration of its new, more prominent location at 160 East Bay Street, the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery is throwing a grand opening drop-in champagne reception 6-8 p.m. Friday.

This black-and-white affair will feature the works of all 74 guild members who are exhibiting at the gallery.

The public is invited to wear something elegant in black and white.

Curating cadets at exhibition

Cadets in professor Tiffany Silverman's art history class at The Citadel are learning firsthand about the art world as they open the institution's first cadet-curated exhibition in the Capers Hall Lobby this Friday.

The event is set during Parents' Weekend with support from The Citadel Foundation and the Gibbes Museum of Art.

Focused on painted interpretations of the Lowcountry landscape, the show includes works by local artists such as Johnson Haygood, Lese Corrigan, Gary Grier, Christopher Murphy, Amelia Rose Smith, and Gordon Nicholson.

Open to the public, the exhibition will kick off with a reception at 1-2:30 p.m. Friday. The exhibit will be on display until Dec. 4.

For more information, contact Silverman at 953-6918.