Albany Herald

Radium Springs recreated by Julie Bowland, professor of art, VSU.

vicki.harris@albanyherald.com

ALBANY — The Albany Area Arts Council is presenting Skywater 2012, a visual exploration of Radium Springs by selected artists, at the council gallery, 215 N. Jackson St.

The opening reception is 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 6 with the exhibit running Sept. 4-28.

The collection of art features Radium Springs by artists Todd Bertolaet, professor of art, Florida A&M University (photographs); Julie Bowland, professor of art, Valdosta State University (paintings and pastel drawings); J. Dominick Gheesling, assistant professor of art, Valdosta State University (photographs); Scott Marini, associate professor of art, Albany State University (sculpture), and Charles Williams, associate professor of art, Albany State university (photographs).

Radium Springs was known as Skywater by Native Americans who lived and hunted in the area.

In the 1920s, the springs, which got the name because of a trace of radium in the water, became a popular spa and golf resort, with a casino overlooking the springs, which maintained a year-round temperature of about 68 degrees. For decades, the facility was the center of numerous social events in the region.

The springs remained a popular swimming destination for Albany residents until the floods of 1994 and 1998. The casino was damaged in the floods and had to be demolished in 2003.

The property was acquired by the state and local governments and is now known as Radium Springs Garden, which opened in 2010.

For more information on this event contact, (229) 439-2787 or email artsinfo@albanyartscouncil.org.

A September exhibit at the Albany Area Arts Council brings an Albany landmark back to life through artists’ eyes.