Special exhibit now showing at the Florence County Museum.
By Hope S. Philbrick
Considered one of the Pee Dee’s top museums, the Florence County Museum collections reflect the region’s rich artistic, cultural, and historic heritage.
The museum’s permanent collection includes five works by celebrated 20th Century African-American artist and Florence native William H. Johnson. Two of these works are on paper and three are oil paintings and each piece represents a distinct period in the artist’s creativity.
Through October 5, 2015, however, those five works are joined with many other works by the artist.
William H. Johnson “has more work in the Smithsonian than any other artist,” says Jim Stephens, who handles visual communications for Florence County Museum.
The special exhibit, William H. Johnson: New Beginnings, features 19 works from the life of the Florence native who lived from 1901 to 1970. The works were selected from the collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Florence Museum Board of Trustees, the Johnson Collection and a private collector in Denmark. The selection represents the range of periods in the artist’s prolific career as well as a glimpse into his relationship with communities in which he lived, including Florence, S.C., Harlem, N.Y., and Europe.
To fully appreciate the art, arrange for a guided tour. A pro can point out key aspects of the artwork plus share details of the artist’s compelling, inspiring and heartbreaking life story.
More Information…
Florence County Museum
111 West Cheves St.
Florence SC
843.676.1200
– Photos courtesy Visit Florence
Featured products, services and/or travel arrangements may have been complimentary in part or in full; this affords the research opportunity but does not sway opinion.
Hope S. Philbrick is founder and editor-in-chief of Getaways for Grownups. She became a freelance writer and editor because she believes that work and fun should not be mutually exclusive. Her work has appeared in dozens of publications nationwide. When not writing, she can usually be found on the road or savoring something tasty.
