William Lee Golden art exhibit planned in Pensacola
Published 8:36 pm Thursday, April 4, 2013
A Brewton native and member of the renowned Oak Ridge Boys will have original works of art featured in an exclusive exhibit this summer at the Pensacola Museum of Art.
William Lee Golden’s work will be on display at the museum beginning July 2 and will remain on display through Aug. 2, museum officials said.
The exhibit is part of a celebration of the arts as well as a commemoration event of Viva Florida 500.
Golden said his work reveals stories revealing many emotions and scenes he has experienced through his travels.
“Picasso once said that painting is just another way of keeping a diary,” says William Lee. “I totally agree. My paintings not only document my travels, but they reveal what captures my eye and heart.”
Along with landscapes of scenes from around the world, a new piece honoring the historic landscapes of Florida will be unveiled as a commemorative tribute to Viva Florida 500.
“Upon viewing his art, it was very clear that the same passion that fuels William Lee’s legendary career in music is also captured in his paintings,” Pensacola Museum of Art Director Lori Storey said.
Running concurrent with the museum exhibit, The Pensacola International Airport will also be displaying an exhibit of photographs taken by Golden which he used as guides for his paintings. The airport exhibit will be on display from May 1 to August 31 for arriving and departing passengers.
Hailed as one of the most recognized personalities in country and gospel music, Golden as garnered high accolades as the “bearded baritone” of the group The Oak Ridge Boys. With over 30 million records sold, The Oak Ridge Boys have had more than a dozen #1 hits and over 30 top ten hits. Their numerous platinum and gold recordings include “Thank God For Kids,” “American Made,” “Bobbie Sue,” “Ozark Mountain Jubilee,” and the crowd favorite, “Elvira.” In addition to receiving five Grammy Awards throughout their career, they were inducted into both the Grand Ole Opry and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Golden has recently added the accomplishment of critically renowned painter to his ever-growing list of accolades. Inspired by his colorful 200 plus days life on the road, Golden’s simple yet evocative paintings feature rich sometimes dreamlike images that mirror the likes of Claude Monet and other leading French impressionist artists. His works have been exhibited in the Tennessee State Museum (his painting “Smokey Mountain Spring” is in the permanent collection), The Gilcrease Museum of Art in Tulsa, as well as galleries and private collections across the U.S. His original painting of Bush Garden is amongst the permanent collection of The George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas.
For more information on William Lee Golden, please visit: www.williamleegolden.com.
Along with landscapes of scenes from around the world, a new piece honoring the historic landscapes of Florida will be unveiled as a commemorative tribute to Viva Florida 500. Pensacola Museum of Art hours are Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday noon to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Sundays and Mondays. Admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, $2 for students and active duty military. Children under 5 are free. Tuesdays, admission is free to the public. For more information about the Museum call (850) 432-6247, visit the website at www.pensacolamuseumofart.org or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/
