Betty Magee
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Betty Magee, a native
of McComb, MS and longtime resident of Ocean Springs, has been active
in the arts for over 35 years. Her father was a graphic artist, so she
has been around art since she was a little girl.
She started painting seriously over thirty years ago as therapy. Her favorite subject is nature. She is well known for her numerous pitcher plants done in a variety of mediums. Those paintings are much sought after. She also enjoys painting irises, and her subjects are frequently some of the 49 species of day lilies that she grows in her gardens. Her media are watercolor, pastels, oils, acrylics, ceramics, found objects sculpture and sheet metal work. Her metal and found object sculptures can be seen in downtown Ocean Springs and at The Art House. The medium she decides to work in on any particular day is determined by the mood she is in. If she feels the need to strike out at a canvas with large brushes, she will paint in oils or acrylics. Magee firmly believes that art is important in everyone's lives, even to the point of saying that no child's education is complete without art. For her, art is part of her identity, saying it is melded into her very soul. She feels that she has to create to feel alive and fulfilled. It has been a longtime goal to find a permanent home for the Ocean Springs Art Association, where she has served as president five times. It was while she was president in 1996 that a group of OSAA artists formed an artist co-op and acquired The Art House. This past January was the 10th anniversary of The Art House. She has been the director there for it's entire history. Shortly thereafter, she formed the Friends of the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center for Arts and Education. As president, she spearheaded fundraising to restore the old 1927 Ocean Springs High School to turn it into an arts and cultural center. Groundbreaking occurred in August of 2002, and much of the building has been completed and is in use for a multitude of art purposes. She is presently the center's director. Her dream of a permanent home for the Ocean Springs Art Association is becoming reality this year, as that group will finally come "home" to the Cultural Center. Magee has mounted numerous one-woman shows, and has taught art classes for the Singing River Art Association and the Ocean Springs Art Association. She loves to share her passion for art and strives to inspire other artists to share that passion. Her work can be seen at The Art House. |
Floor Rug Mural painted by Magee.
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Notice: All art depicted on this site is copyrighted by the artist and may not be downloaded, copied, duplicated, or used in any manner without permission from the artist. All photographs are the property of the artist, and may not be downloaded, copied, duplicated, or used in any manner without permission from the artist Page contents © 2007 The Art House
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