Legenday folk artist to be honored by Brenau

GAINESVILLE - Legendary Gainesville folk artist R.A. Miller is being honored by the Simmons Visual Arts Center at Brenau University with a two-month exhibition.

"R.A. Miller: A Tribute" will run today through March 26th. Miller is known for a hillside of whirligigs, or metal cutout figures and drawings, some of them wind-powered, that was a Rabbittown landmark for years. According to NewGeorgiaEncyclopedia.org, his work typically feature animal or human figures and short inspirational messages. Miller starting making whirligigs to pass the time when chronic eye problems began to limit his activities.

In addition to whirligigs and cutouts, Miller has long produced paintings and drawings in enamel or marker on masonite, according to the Web site. These works include similar human figures, animals, and dinosaurs, which share space with such short inspirational messages as "Lord Love You" and are surrounded by simple decorative borders.

His works have been included in exhibitions at museums in Atlanta and New Orleans.
In addition, a reception marking the opening of the exhibition will be held Thursday night, 6:30-8:30, at Brenau in Pearce Auditorium, complete with the premiere of a documentary video about Miller and his work and a panel discussion.