MYRTLE BEACH, SC.- How and why artists do what they do is the focus of an upcoming exhibition at the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum in Myrtle Beach. Soul’s Journey: Inside the Creative Process is an exhibit originating from The Center for Craft, Creativity and Design of the University of North Carolina that features 22 significant, contemporary object makers from across the South: Elizabeth Brim, Curtis Buchanan, Hunt Clark, Cristina Cordova, Sam Corso, Susie Ganch, Hoss Haley, Mark Hewitt, Richard Jolley, Janice Kluge, Ellen Kochansky, Stoney Lamar, Dale Lewis, Mark Lindquist, Gwendolyn Magee, Patricia Mink, Gary Noffke, Richard Prisco, Joel Queen, Che Rhodes, Michael Sherrill and Jerydine Taylor.

The exhibition developed from a documentary series by David Hutto and Chanse Simpson and illustrates the backgrounds, motivations and methods for creating works of art. The object makers, who are featured in the exhibit and film, are diverse from geographic, ethnic and gender perspectives. They live in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, and create works of art in ceramic, fiber, glass, metal, wood and mixed media.

The documentary provides an intimate view of the artists told largely through their own words while working on their featured pieces. Hutto says of the documentary, “Art is a reflection of our souls, our inner being. It reveals what we’re all about. It makes a statement about our values, about our priorities, about our visions, about our fears. So, it’s part of us. How this evolves is the journey.”

The exhibition complements the documentary, showcasing significant works by established and emerging artists representative of the region’s creative tradition and cultural heritage.

Soul’s Journey: Inside the Creative Process will be on exhibit October 11, 2009, through January 8, 2010, with the opening reception on October 15, 2009, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.