McKee Library

McKee Library is excited to display the creative works of Avill James. The artwork will be on exhibit on the second floor of McKee Library January 31 through May 9, 2022. 

About the Artist

Avill James’ journey as an artist began on the balmy, tropical island of Antigua, West Indies, where he often reflected on the beauty of God’s creation. He developed his love for art under the tutelage of an uncle who exposed him to drawing and painting at an early age. In elementary school, teachers used Avill’s artwork as the standard for other students, and he was chosen to paint a large mural of Jesus in the sanctuary of the Bethel Seventh-day Adventist Church in Liberta.  With paint and brush, Avill also honed his skills while meticulously creating acrylic paintings of the white sandy beaches, towering fruit trees and magnificent sunsets of his Caribbean homeland. After immigrating to the United States in the 1960s, Avill continued his hobby in the New York area, painting seasonal landscapes that drew his attention, even as he continued his education, raised four daughters with his wife, Sylvia, and worked as a registered nurse for many years.  In retirement, Avill and his wife reside in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they now enjoy a tropical environment similar to their native countries. Avill’s beautiful paintings still grace the homes of relatives and friends to this day.

About the Collection

The Avill James “Glimpses of Seasonal Bliss” collection is a small sample of more than a hundred paintings that Avill, now in his late 80s, has produced over his lifetime. The paintings evoke a sense of calm and peace in the hearts of viewers. Avill’s keen sense for the intricate details of landscape aesthetics is evident in each acrylic expression. He captures the awesomeness of God’s creation in the context of heartwarming environments in which the viewer can imagine him or herself taking a stroll through the woods as the leaves change colors, viewing a beach sunset from the sandy shore of a Caribbean island, or watching a winter wonderland in a picturesque, rural atmosphere. Wherever Avill takes the viewer with his artwork, one thing is certain: every piece is a reflection of God.

McKee Library is excited to display the creative works of the Southern Smiths Club. The artwork will be on exhibit on the main floor of McKee Library January 31 through May 9, 2022. 

About the Club

The Southern Smiths Club has been open since 2004 and has been teaching both students and community members basic to advanced blacksmithing skills. We are a community from all walks of life-from different majors, ages, and backgrounds-but all come together as life-long students wanting to blacksmith with one another. As a club, we all learn and grow from one another in both through blacksmithing but also through supporting one another spiritually and emotionally. The Southern Smiths is one of the most active clubs on campus, meeting every week throughout the entire calendar year. It is a student-led club run by Emily Freeman (president), Brendan Hayes (treasurer), and Marissa Garlock (secretary). For those interested in learning more, please email Emily Freeman at efreeman@southern.edu.    

About the Collection: God’s Love 

The character of God is love, and His love for us is endless and abounding. We can see His love in how He has helped His people. We can see His love in the minute details of His creations. As we walk on this earth, we have the amazing pleasure of seeing how God is with us and is all around us if we take the time to look for it. This collection highlights some of the ways in which we can see God’s love through a creative lens and medium. 

Within the collection, a tree of doves reminds us of the Holy Spirit, as symbolically depicted in Matthew 3:16-17 where a dove landed on Jesus with the proclamation, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” In addition, a representation of David’s sling symbolizes God’s love and dedication to Israel through the defeat of Goliath. Another way we can see God’s love is in nature and within His creations. The camping tripod and spoon represents how we are able to enjoy God’s love of creation and life through nature. Furthermore, the hand trowel reminds us of how we can participate in God’s nature by helping to dig up the earth and plant new life.  

The many ways that God’s love is shown are endless, but the clearest symbol of His love to us was through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Jesus was able to show His triumph over death and for our sins, and He bore the crown of thorns on His head for us.