René Shoemaker is an artist intrigued by the way spaces work together and how people interact with those spaces.

The Doors of Athens 

   A new series of paintings on silk by international artist René D. Shoemaker, on exhibit at Community in downtown Athens March 5 - June 30, 2022.

As a longtime resident and former small business owner (Harvey’s Sandwich Stand 1982-1984) of Athens, a graduate and retired professor emerita of UGA, and a lifelong educator and learner, my commitment to Athens, Georgia runs deep. Since my first solo exhibition, From Here to There, held at the Clayton Street Gallery in 2001, I have sought to describe a sense of place that highlights the Athens, GA community and the UGA campus. The Doors of Athens exhibit stems from my love for Athens and my deep appreciation of the diversity, community, and intellectual curiosity embedded in the city’s culture. 

When I first heard the phrase place attachment theory from Madeline Blankenship of the Get Artistic program hosted by Creature Comforts Brewery, images of my beloved Athens immediately began to swirl in my head. This poster and exhibit were born at that moment. The exhibit aims to highlight the joy we experience when visiting our favorite businesses, especially after our pandemic confinement which kept us away from public spaces. The motto “Shop local!” becomes more relevant and stronger every year, and is exactly what Athens needs to keep it vibrant and thriving.

Since I began my art career, my artistic output has focused on the question of “What makes a place feel good?” My goal is to share the uniqueness of a place, and One of Athens’ treasures is its collection of interesting entrances—environments you recognize but may never consciously perceive. My goal in creating this new art series is to bring attention to the everyday experience, the beauty of our town, and our affection for this place.

To honor my beloved hometown, I have created a new collection of paintings, along with a poster featuring 16 small businesses that are unique to Athens. The poster, printed in an edition of 100, silk screened by hand locally, numbered and signed by the artist, is available on my website, at the K.A. Artist Shop and at the Creature Comforts Holiday Market scheduled for December 15th, 2021.

The Doors of Athens art exhibit of original paintings on silk opens March 5, 2022 at Community in downtown Athens. The show will be on display through June 30, 2022.

"I delight in sharing my unique vision of the world with others who enjoy a sense of discovery and wonder. My mission is to bring beauty into the world and share it far and wide. Thank you, Athens, for all you have given me."