MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (September 25, 2017) – The latest artwork featured in the Mount Pleasant Culture, Arts & Pride (CAP) Commission’s Mayor’s Office Art program is Renée Magdelain’s stunning Sunrise at Porcher’s Bluff.
Magdelain’s inspiring oil on canvas, which has not been featured anywhere else, was inspired by a beautiful early-morning photograph the artist took last October.
“I have been honored to showcase Mount Pleasant’s rich artistic community through this CAP program that we began three years ago,” said Mayor Page. “Mrs. Magdelain’s gift is abundantly clear in this gorgeous piece that is admired by everyone who visits my new office.”
Born and raised in Brussels, Belgium, Magdelain moved to the U.S. in 1968 with her husband to enjoy and discover the many wonderful facets of “La Grande Amérique”. After spending several years back “across the pond” in Paris and London, they moved back to the states and finally retired to Mount Pleasant in 2002.
She and her husband quickly fell in love with Mount Pleasant, the Lowcountry and its people. She took art classes at the College of Charleston and discovered a new love: painting.
“It has given me the opportunity to look at nature in a totally different way,” said Magdelain. “It has opened a door to the magic of lights and darks, shadow, contrasts and colors.”
After almost eight years, she is thankful to her teachers, mentors and family for encouraging her to pursue her dream and to be able to translate, stroke by stroke, the feeling in her heart.
Oil is Magdelain’s preferred medium because she says it gives her the opportunity to muddle with its viscosity, giving her more time to immerse herself in its subject.
The landscape of the Lowcountry inspires her – everything local that surrounds her from the ever-changing color under a myriad of different skies to the heritage of its people.
“I applied to the Mayor's Office Art program because it gave me an opportunity to join and participate in "My Town" activities, meet people and share with them the love of art,” said Magdelain.
She said that as Mount Pleasant grows, she finds it very important for the Town to capture and display the feeling and the experience of its people and to record history for the generations to come. She believes this art program is a wonderful vehicle for that.
Magdelain also loves to cook, walk the beach with her husband, see and hear nature, reflect and enjoy the moment.
About the Art in the Mayor’s Office Program
The Town of Mount Pleasant and the Culture, Arts & Pride Commission invites artists to submit photos of completed artwork for a two-month display in the mayor’s office. All entries are juried by Town staff and the Culture, Arts & Pride Commission. To learn more about the program and how to apply for 2018 exhibits, contact Special Events Manager Nicole Harvey at events@tompsc.com.