LaGrange Surprise...

Years ago Franca and I went to LaGrange, Georgia to see a show at the LaGrange Art Museum. Franca had entered the show but her work wasn’t chosen. We were pleasantly surprised at the high calibre of the museum and the work of the juror. Franca determined to try again and this is the third year in a row she has been accepted for the LaGrange Southeast Regional. We really like LaGrange and the people there. In addition to the Art Museum, The Cochran Gallery, on Lafayette Square, is a place to see the creations of rising artists as well as a permanent collection of work by many established and famous artists. Wes and Missy Cochran have the largest collection of African American Prints in the southeast as well as a Warhol collection unchallenged in the south. The presence of the LaGrange Art Museum and the Cochran Gallery stresses the fact that fine art in Georgia is not necessarily concentrated in the big cities.

Dance Mara, Dance, 2019, 36” x 36” (Franca Nucci Haynes)

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I submitted work to the show as well and these two were accepted. I’m honored to be a part.

Blue Fence, Atlanta, 2019, 8” x 30” (Charles Allen Haynes)

Truck Reflection, Atlanta, 2019, 14.5” x 30” (Charles Allen Haynes)

Details: Gala receptions at the LaGrange Art Museum and Lamar Dodd Art Center of LaGrange College: February 21, 2020, 6-9 pm. Exhibitions closes: April 18, 2020.

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My Raven of Doubt Is

On my shoulder, in splendid iridescent ebony,
quietly rustling, shifting stance to counter bony gravity,
peering with head turned, watching me,
muttering, asking if I know what I am doing.

Midst judging, maybe, with alleged wisdom from history, mystery, myth,
wings away, sails away. Sounding from far above in derision or exaltation, can't tell.

Plunging from great height then, descending, turning, twisting, to arrive,
with weightless grace on my shoulder, same shoulder, once again,
to ask, again, laughingly, what it is that I am doing.

2020 - Atlanta