The Harvest Exhibition

The Faces of Agriculture

September 9 – 13, 2025
The Syd Blackmarr Arts Center    255 Love Avenue, Tifton

This exhibit is FREE and open to the public.
Donations are welcome.

 Exhibit Reception

Wednesday, September 9th
6:00 – 8:00 pm

Exhibit Hours
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Agriculture has long been the heart of South Georgia, and behind every harvest is a story of dedication, resilience, and community. The Harvest Exhibit: The Faces of Agriculture celebrates the people whose hard work sustains our region, honoring the farmers, ranchers, farmhands, agricultural families, and industry professionals who make agriculture a way of life.

Through portraiture and figurative artwork, this exhibition shines a spotlight on the faces behind the fields. Visitors will experience compelling works that capture the character, traditions, and everyday moments of those working in agriculture, from planting and harvesting to caring for livestock and advancing agricultural sciences.

The exhibition wil feature local artist as well as 10 works from fine artist Cris Lawson titled Portraits of the Harvest, offering a powerful look into the lives of South Georgia’s agricultural community. Lawson’s portraits beautifully document the people who dedicate themselves to feeding, clothing, and supporting our communities, preserving their stories for generations to come.

Together, these works celebrate the individuals whose labor, heritage, and commitment continue to shape South Georgia. The Harvest Exhibit: The Faces of Agriculture invites visitors to connect with the people behind one of our region’s most vital industries and to gain a deeper appreciation for the faces that make every harvest possible.

I enjoy celebrating rural culture by uncovering the beauty in the everyday while engaging the viewer in its stories.” ~Cris Lawson

More About Cris Lawson

Cris Lawson has embraced drawing as her vocabulary as long as she can remember. Sketch books and pencils evolved into watercolor and acrylic painting as a teenager. She was recognized at the State, National, and International level during her high school years, and was the recipient of an art scholarship from the Tifton Jr. Women’s Club which she invested in tutelage under Dr. Vincent Keesee at ABAC.

Her career years varied in creative practice from art director at Jason’s Women’s Clothing to interior decorating as an associate of Turner’s Fine Furniture as well as a freelance decorator. After years of raising a family, she has returned to her roots and has once again picked up pencil and brush to expand her artistic skills.

Known for her love of painting en plein air, Cris expressively captures the beauty of the landscapes surrounding her. She searches for the poetry in the composition, engaging the viewer in the story to be revealed. Working primarily in oil paint, her canvases capture the energy, movement, and light of her subject.

She also explores techniques in her studio works and accepts commissions, She is currently illustrating a children’s book which she has written upon the birth of her first grandchild.

Cris and her husband, Edward, reside in Chula at Knotted Pine Stables where they develop Tennessee Walking Horses for pleasure, plantation guest mounts, and field trial sport. She accepts students for lessons and workshops at the studio in the same facility.

To learn more about Cris and her art practice, visit her website: crisalawsonfineart.com

Follow her on social media at: facebook.com/CrisALawsonFineArt