Works of art by mother-daughter duo among highlights of "Rivers" opening June 2 at 300 Senate

A few weeks ago, Meredith Paysinger’s arresting painting, “The Depth of Eyes Reverberate” was hanging in the art gallery at SweetbriarCollege. It was her submission in the senior exhibition.

The recent graduate and the jaw-dropping painting are now home, and the piece is on view in Columbia, part of the new “Rivers” exhibition at 300 Senate.

Meredith’s mother, Debra Paysinger, who paints with the Corley Mill Arts Group, is also one of the 27 Midlands’ artists whose work is part of the summer show. The mother-daughter artist duo is just one highlight of the sweeping visual celebration of rivers. June is American Rivers Month.

Works studding the old brick walls at the gallery restaurant, 300 Senate, represent artists’ depictions of the three rivers that converge in Columbia as well as rivers throughout the state, nation, and some international rivers.

Soothing river scenes are joined by interpretations of recreation on the river, riverbank botany and wildlife (which Meredith’s piece represents), river works, and bridges spanning the rivers. Tags accompanying the paintings state which river inspired each work.

Artists whose paintings are part of “Rivers” include: Michael Story, Bonnie Golberg, Donna Rozier, Faye Meetze, Andrew Corley, Renea Eshleman, Lucinda Howe, Ingrid Carson, Earline White, Mark Conrardie, Warren Brussee, Barbara Davis, Jenifer Edwards, Ruby Deloach, McKenzie Seay, Debra Paysinger, Meredith Paysinger, Allen Marshall, Glenda Keyes, Nikolay Oskolkov, Barbara Yongue, David Phillips, Ann Cimburke, Gwen Sullivan, Saundra Drafts, Linda Johnson, and Karen Stokes.

“Rivers” can be seen at 300 Senate during lunch hours, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, and will remain on view through Labor Day weekend.