Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

SALUDA—Local artist Verne Dawson is set to exhibit his latest works at Karma Gallery, located at 22 East 2nd Street in New York City. Titled “Verne Dawson: Crystal Springs,” the exhibition will take place from January 8 to February 28, 2025, with an opening reception scheduled for Thursday, January 8, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Dawson, a long-time resident of Saluda, takes inspiration from his surroundings, particularly from his home overlooking Crystal Springs, a picturesque pond situated off Henderson Street between Gaffney and Poplar Streets. He describes this opportunity as a significant milestone, showcasing a one-person show at a prestigious gallery.

The exhibition will feature a range of works, including “Through the Forest” (2024), an oil on canvas measuring 14 x 11 inches. Dawson’s art “intricately weaves themes of culture and nature while exploring the intersection of the present with the ancient past,” as he draws upon a rich tapestry of stories, symbols, and belief systems, focusing on the passage of time and the structures that shape human existence.

His vibrant and loose brushwork breathes life into formidable subjects, merging portraiture, landscapes, and abstraction to forge a bridge between science and fantasy. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Cooper Union School of Art and the Art Students League of New York, Dawson’s expertise is both profound and nuanced.

“The paintings made in Saluda over the last couple of years depict the spring and surroundings,” he said. “One is 15 feet wide and 7 feet tall, and another measures 10 feet wide—very large works capturing the site, infused with liberties taken, and set in an ambiguous time that could be either the past or the future.”

For those interested in experiencing Dawson’s work firsthand, details about current and upcoming exhibitions, news, and programs can be found by visiting karmakarma.org.