Jessie Luke: A Journey to Wonderland

February 17, 2023 – April 15, 2023

Jessie Luke, a fine arts photographer based in Jacksonville, FL, retells the well-loved classic of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” in 25 images. Inspired by John Tenniel’s original drawing illustrations, the artist used handcrafted props, costumes, masks, and building structures to create the set and Carroll’s iconic characters like the Cheshire Cat. Luke then captured her photographs with a plastic toy camera, called the Holga, which uses black and white 120 films and is known for its low-fidelity aesthetic. The simplicity of this “cheap” plastic camera produces unpredictable results and unique effects like intense vignetting and distortion, allowing Luke to convey the dreamlike, unreal qualities of Alice’s journey down the rabbit hole.

Luke states, “I wanted to compose images that represented Alice’s own imagination, by producing photographs that dramatically convey an illusion like the same way we see and feel when we dream.” A Journey to Wonderland is her third Holga series, and her photographs have been displayed at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville. Jessie Luke also received honorable mentions at the Worldwide Photography Gala, and her work has been exhibited across nine states and three different countries.

Elizabeth Lampman Davis

May 19, 2023 – July 15, 2023

Elizabeth Lampman Davis creates magical, emotion-filled illustrations for children. She believes in the power of stories for all readers and especially loves children’s literature for the role it plays in building a child’s character. On display in the Zoe Golloway Gallery, this summer will be Davis’s original illustrations from her children’s books, which she also authors. Her work is a hybrid of traditional mediums of watercolor, pencil, and ink with the modern processes of scanning and digital enhancements. Image: Elizabeth Lampman Davis, Dinner Can Wait, mixed media, 11 x 14 inches.

Mary VanLandingham: Within These Walls

October 6, 2023 – December 16, 2023

Within These Walls is a series of paintings of interiors by Mary VanLandingham. Meant to inspire peace and wonder, these pieces represent unforgettable moments in the artist’s life. She often finds her muse on road trips, where she is inspired with picturesque places and scenes. VanLandingham will take upwards of 700 photographs on these trips as source material for her oil paintings. She explains, “There’s an emotional connection and excitement because you can recall how you felt when you took that picture, and that’s what drives me to paint it.”

Experienced at creating landscapes and seascapes, these interiors capture a less exhibited side of VanLandingham’s work, displaying her talent with light, patterns, and textures. Born and raised in South Georgia, Mary VanLandingham works as a part-time artist and part-time librarian in Nashville, Georgia.