Artist On Exhibit in Athens

An exhibit of works by artist Ginny Ruffner will be on display at the University of Georgia Art Museum in Athens through January 4, 2004.

Ms. Ruffner is the daughter of Alton and Carolyn Martin of Fort Mill, S.C., originally of Shady Dale. She is the great niece of Kathryn and Louis Benton and Bennie and Billy Connelly, all of Monticello.

Her exhibit,”Creativity: The Flowering Tornado” began in Athens on Sept. 28. The exhibit orginally began June 14 in Alabama and will travel to four additional U.S. cities through 2005.

Ms. Ruffner graduated cum laude from UGA with a degree in drawing and painting and was a summa cum laude Master of Fine Arts graduate.

Her works have been placed on the cover of glass publications and featured in major exhibitions in top galleries and art museums in Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and the U.S. She recently completed some pieces for Waterford Crystal.

In December 1991 the artist was involved in a life-altering traffic accident that left her in a five week coma. When she regained consciousness Ms. Ruffner had to re-learn everything from her favorite color to who she was as an artist.

Mrs. Connelly remembers the doctor telling her sister, Ginny’s mother, that the artist was lucky to have her left side paralyzed. However, the doctor did not know that prior to the accident she had been left-handed.

“Many artist have aspired to walk in her footsteps, but she stands alone among flameworkers,” said Montgomery Museum of Fine Art Director Mark Johnson.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sundays 1-5 p.m.