FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 13, 2011

Event contact: Barbara Frazier 770-337-3064, jfraz2@bellsouth.net
McDonough Arts contact: Jea Gackowski, 404-569-1259 jeagackowski@hotmail.com
Winsor Gallery contact: Vicki Anglyn, 770-957-7292 or 770-490-4751 thewinsorgallery@bellsouth.net

Public invited to view historic mural and learn
about artist Jean Charlot on June 25
Charlot is creator of "Cotton Gin" mural (1941), a Henry County treasure at the Polk Annex

McDonough, Ga -- Public viewing of the mural "Cotton Gin" will be offered at McDonough's Polk Annex (34 John Frank Ward Blvd on the Square) from 11am-1pm on Saturday, June 25. The public is also invited to a reception for the artist's son, John Charlot, at 4pm that day at Winsor Gallery (34 Macon Street.) During this reception Mr. Charlot will conduct a presentation on his father’s work.

A Henry County treasure that many people in our community have never seen, "Cotton Gin" was created by modernist artist Louis Henri Jean Charlot (1898-1979) in the early forties as part of the recovery process after the Great Depression. Located in McDonough’s historic post office (Polk Annex), the mural is one of 200,000 government commissioned works which were funded under the “Federal Art Project” (FAP) during the Great Depression era. The FAP's primary goals were to employ out-of-work artists and to provide art for non-federal government buildings. The initiative operated from August 29, 1935, until June 30, 1943. FAP artists created posters, murals, and paintings, with some works remaining among the most significant pieces of public art in the country.

In 1941 Artist Jean Charlot, was artist-in-resident at the University of Georgia in Athens when he was selected to create a piece of work for the Post Office in McDonough, Georgia. The “Cotton Gin” has graced the wall of the Polk Building since it was installed in 1942. Viewing this unique piece of art in the now unused Polk Annex is a rare opportunity offered by Henry County Government and the City of McDonough.

Click here to VIEW MURAL

In part, Mr. John Charlot’s visit to Henry County is to do research for his book titled “Jean Charlot, Life and Work.”

Henry County Chairman B.J. Mathis and City of McDonough Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Vincent, both supporters of the Arts, herald their pride in the treasure amongst us and encourage members of the community to come out and share this wonderful opportunity to learn about the life works and creative genius of multi-talented artist Jean Charlot.

This community event is supported by Henry County Government, the City of McDonough, Encompass Group, Blumen Trio, McDonough Arts, Henry Arts Alliance, and Visual Artist Collective. For more information, contact Barbara Frazier at 770-337-3064.