Author, visual artist team up for reception

A Martinez author and an Augusta artist are teaming up to display their work for the public.

Martinez resident Lucinda Clark, author of the book View From the Middle of the Road, will host a book signing at a free reception from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Cultural Center. Artist Rhian Swain-Giboney also will feature her artwork at the gathering, which has a theme titled "The Diversity of the Work."

"If it's creative, it's there," said Swain-Giboney, the event's organizer, who plans to give part of her works' proceeds to Sacred Heart.

She said the event is greatly needed.

"There aren't enough venues for writers and artists in Augusta," she said. "We have such a wealth of talent here in Augusta artistically with performers and writers. It's just amazing. But if we don't do some things to give them opportunities to show their work and support them, then they're going to go away."

That's why she collaborated her work with Clarke, she said.

"One of the things I'm trying to do is encourage a lot of artist to do more co-op," she said. "You know if you have an opening, invite a musician to perform. Invite a writer to read poetry or do a signing."

Swain-Giboney will present artwork that features acrylic paintings, pencil drawings, watercolors, photography and digital paintings.

"It runs a gamut," she said. "I'm actually putting in some pieces that are very early work that have never been seen before by the public. Even things from my college days. So I can show not only the diversity, but also the transition and growth as an artist."

In February 2003, Swain-Giboney formed Creative Goddesses, a women's group with more than 40 members, which is comprised of writers, gallery owners, editors, publishers and company leaders. She said the group's purpose is to help women become innovative. That's where, she said, she met Clark.

"Lucinda started coming to some of the meetings," she said. "So when Lucinda came out with a book, I was all over that."

Clark's 63-page, soft-back book, which was released in July, includes 57 free verse poems, which deal with issues such as race, gender, love and faith.

"It's a book of poetry that I wrote in the latter part of last year," she said. "It relays experiences I've had as a Northerner who has had to move South. It's sort of using poetry to relay experiences I've either had myself or have learned from people that I've encountered."

Originally from Philadelphia, Pa., Clark said the book's original title was, "Where does the Greenest Grass Grow?"

"I changed the (title) as I pulled the book together," she said. "I met a local artist who painted a painting that I thought described the essence of what I was trying to convey in the book."