The Johnson Center for the Arts is inviting community members to grab some friends Thursday evening and come and enjoy a creative and enlightening evening reception of art.

“We are inviting everyone to join us as we browse through two unique exhibits of art by prominent Alabama artists, Lindy Bruggink and Chris Beck,” said Wiley White, JCA development coordinator. “Lindy is a magnificent portrait artist and Christ is an incredible metal artist. You will be amazed by what you see.”
And, White could have added “dazzled by what you hear.”

“Lindy and Chris are among Alabama’s most noted artists,” she said. “We are excited to have them at the Johnson Center  from 6:30 until 8:30 Thursday night. And, we are going to do something quite different at the reception. Usually, when we have artists’ receptions, we set up chairs and the artists have an opportunity to talk with the audience about their work.”

However, White said that Bruggink and Beck would participate in an art walk and talk.

“The audience will be invited to the lower level gallery around seven o’clock as Chris walks them through his exhibit and talks with them about the creative process involved in his artwork,” White said. “Then, around 7:30 we will invite everyone to the upper gallery where Lindy will take them on a walking tour of her artwork.”

Each art walk and talk will be about 30 minutes in length and will provide insight into the artists on a more personal level  and into their work.

Bruggink graduated with honors in art from Maryville College in Tennessee in 1972. The focus of her work is oil portraits in a classic style, although she has also painted and exhibited landscapes and still lifes. Her subjects often are public figures, including numerous judges and justices.

In 2002, she was commissioned to paint a portrait of Secretary of State Colin Powell by his classmates at the National War College as he appeared as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The portrait hangs at The National War College at Ft. Lesley McNair in Washington, D.C. In addition to her other commissioned work she has painted clerks of the United States Supreme Court.

She has taught painting at the Wiregrass Museum of Art in Dothan and led workshops in Alabama and Washington, D.C.

As a metal sculptor, Beck said he tries to separate himself from limitations on what the metal sculpture is or should be.

“I simply like to make things and enjoy the process of transforming nothing into something,” he said. “I feel that true art is inspired by God’s greatness and the awesomeness of His Creation.”

Beck said metal can be uncooperative and, more times than not, he finds himself working at the mercy of the piece  itself.

“The decisions I make about a piece are based to what I feel is right,” he said. “But often a piece seemingly speaks to what it wants to be,  how it wants to look and when it’s finished. What I enjoy most about what I do is being blessed with the ability to create the ideas I receive.”

The Johnson Center for the Arts, on East Market Street in downtown Troy, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and until 3 p.m. on  Saturday. Admission is free.