Most people know Richie Havens as a music legend.
But he was a visual artist first and until he died on April 22, 2013. Before he picked up his first guitar he painted portraits in the parks of New York. He always continued as a painter, a sculptor, a photographer, finally putting things together in digital art.
"My artwork has always been a way to fill the space left in a room once the song has ended, when everything goes quiet and you're left with colors and images and feelings," Havens said about his art practice.
Come see his recent work, one-of-a-kind archival pigment print images created using digital media in the Ronnie Lukasiewicz Gallery at Lyndon House, 293 Hoyt St.
The Lyndon House is honored to present a collection of final works from his studio because Havens was a long time friend and supporter. By giving two benefit concerts at the Georgia Theater and later a concert at the Morton Theatre, donations made it possible to fund the schematic drawings for the proposed expansion. Later after it was built, the donations funded a sound system in the galleries and Community Room.
Havens visited the Lyndon House many times, once exhibiting his Traveller show and teaching an art 
class for neighborhood children. This photo was taken on one of his visits in front of a painting by Charles Warnock.
A reception will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2013 from 2 - 4 p.m. Walter Parks who played with Richie for 10 years will provide musical entertainment. The reception is free and open to the public but reservations are required and space is limited. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive an invitation to the reception. Please include your name and full address.
Galleries are open Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.
This exhibition is supported by the U. S. Institute of Museum and Library Services through a leadership grant awarded to the Athens Regional Library System and Lyndon House Arts Center.
