First Friday brought the community together for an evening celebrating local art, culture, and creativity.

As part of a special Frame by Frame feature, we covered the event that spotlighted artists and organizations across downtown, including Candl Fine Art Gallery, Westobou, and the Artzilla Group.

In this special episode, we focused on capturing the energy of the event and the voices behind the art that continue to shape the local creative scene. 

One of the interviews was with Matt Porter, Executive Director of Westobou. He took the time to explain the benefits of being a member in Westobou art gallery. 

“You are part of a group of people that helps underwrite all of the operations that happen here so that our opportunities year-round for artists to exhibit, paid opportunities for arts writers, for curators, for designers, for makers and creative people, for performers, for musicians, for DJs, for all kinds of things like that that we know make them more vibrant place,” said Porter. “It also helps keep our doors open and free to the public six days a week.

Caleb Barrett, artist and art teacher at Lakeside High School. We are very excited for her first show this month in Columbia, South Carolina. You can check Instagram for more information: @colapunkartshow

This week, we talk to Jacki Mayo Van Dyke, who was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia.

Jacki moved away to Florida and South Carolina briefly, but she says that Augusta will always be home.

Jacki shares with us that she began drawing at a very young age. 

To check out, Jacki’s work, you can go to her website www.fullmetaljacki.com.

This week on Frame by Frame, we spoke with local artist Dawn M. Cardona.

Dawn M. Cardona is the artist, founder, and creative director of Dearly Dawn Studio, a heart-led illustration and design studio bringing joyful, whimsical ideas to life for the young at heart.

Based in North Augusta, South Carolina, Dearly Dawn Studio, LLC is a woman-owned, veteran-owned small business rooted in creativity and connection. I feel lucky to be part of two vibrant communities, and I like to think of it as living in two places at once!

You can find more information about her on www.dearlydawnstudio.com.

This week, we spoke with artists Alex Foltz and Terry Wilber.

Terry L. Wilber is an accomplished multi-discipline artist whose primary focus is in ceramics. and a passionate advocate for arts education. Their evocative work primarily explores themes of women’s mental health and trauma recovery, and has been featured at venues like Westobou Gallery, 4P Studios, and Augusta University, where one of her works is held in the permanent collection. Beyond the studio, Terry serves as the Education Director at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. As the Education Director at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, she leads programs that connect artists with the community and cultivate creativity across all ages. She is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and vibrant arts community and is a strong advocate for the belief that art heals and that everyone should embrace their inner artist.

Alex Foltz is a contemporary realist artist living in Augusta GA. He specializes in portraiture and landscape, placing as a finalist in the Portrait Society of America’s members only competition in 2018, and placing best in Show in the Pines and Palms Quick Draw Pleinair competition in 2025. Foltz is also an art educator, and teaches oil painting at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art.

Today on Frame by Frame, we spoke with local surrealist artist, Tiphiknee De Herrera.

Here’s what Tiff told us about herself…

Tiphiknee De Herrera is a contemporary surrealist artist based in Augusta, Georgia. 

Originally from Oregon, her work blends figurative realism with dark fantasy and symbolic imagery, exploring themes of transformation, identity, and the subconscious.

A self-taught oil painter and digital artist, Tiphiknee has one year of classical training in graphite and charcoal from The Southern Oregon Art Academy. She currently teaches oil painting from her home studio and has been creating visual art for over 12 years.

Frame by Frame | Truez

This week on Frame by Frame, we spoke with local artist Kate Gary.

What Kate told us about herself…

As a native of Augusta, I fell in love with watercolor after many years of working in the marketing industry and decided to pursue my creative journey full-time. I began painting homes as gifts for loved ones and at my church, and the rest is history. My true passion lies in illustrating and painting homes, churches, and other landmarks with vibrant colors and intricate details.

Since finding my niche in watercolor, I have had the opportunity to paint murals on buildings in the area and have been featured in Augusta Magazine twice and The Scout Guide. If you’ve ever enjoyed a meal at Cantina Locale in Daniel Village, Doc’s Porchside, or NOLA Coffee in Graniteville, you’ve seen my work in the wild!

You can find more information about Kate Gary on her website.