Celebrated Artist John Cleaveland Honors Jimmy Carter in New Exhibition at the Carter Center
John Cleaveland, a renowned landscape painter, will showcase his work at the Carter Center in Atlanta starting December 14, coinciding with Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday. The exhibition, titled The Nature of the Man: Landscapes from the Childhood of Jimmy Carter, features 21 paintings that artistically narrate Carter’s boyhood experiences in Sumter County, Georgia, blending personal tribute with environmental themes.
Originally a forestry student, Cleaveland’s path took a turn in the vibrant art scene of 1980s Athens, Georgia, where he discovered his talent through an art appreciation class. Encouragement from his instructors paved the way for a successful career spanning four decades, with his works housed in prestigious institutions like the Asheville Art Museum and the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Cleaveland’s artwork, particularly two large landscapes displayed at the University of Georgia’s Botanical Garden, reflects his artistic mission to celebrate the beauty found in the ordinary. “I’m evoking home. I’m evoking slow. I’m evoking nature,” he describes, emphasizing the interconnectedness of his subjects. The upcoming exhibition will feature QR codes allowing visitors to listen to Carter read excerpts from his memoir, An Hour Before Daylight, further enriching the viewer’s experience.
Beyond his homage to Carter, the exhibit holds deep personal significance for Cleaveland, who lost his son, Atticus, in 2020. The emotional weight of this loss resonates through the exhibition, connecting Cleaveland’s portrayal of the natural world with profound familial love.
The exhibition opens with a public reception and aims to honor Carter’s environmental legacy while fostering a respectful and sustainable atmosphere, aligning Cleaveland’s vision with Carter’s enduring commitment to conservation. The show will run through March 31, 2025, inviting audiences to experience the intimate reflections of a shared Southern heritage.
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