Panama City, FL—The Visual & Performing Arts Division of Gulf Coast State College presents Coastal Wilderness, drawings by Steve Shepard.

Colorful, dynamic, complex, rich in texture and content are just some of the words to describe Steve’s work. A native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Steve has spent most of his life out on the water, or surrounded by woods. It is where he feels most at home, and it is what drives his art. His love for the wilderness of the coast is evident in his many colorful representations of the flora and fauna of the region, as is his concern for its inevitable destruction in the name of progress. As a longtime resident of the coast he is a witness to its development/dismemberment. Casinos, hotels and condos crowd the beach, and woods are bulldozed to make room for subdivisions. All of these tensions find their way into Mr. Shepard’s work, which is at once beautiful and grotesque, profound and absurd.

The exhibit runs from January 28 – February 25. The work will be on display in the Amelia Center Gallery (AC 112). Gallery hours are Monday – Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. On January 28, 1:00 p.m., Steve will present an artist lecture via Zoom. https://gulfcoast-edu.zoom.us/j/97767694967 For more information, please contact Pavel Amromin at pamromin@gulfcoast.edu or 850.872.3886.

About the artist: Steve Shepard was born in Port Arthur, Texas and spent most of his life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He holds a B.F.A. from the University of South Alabama. His work has been widely exhibited across the U.S. and he is a recipient of many grants and awards.

Jason Hedden, MFA | Gulf Coast State College Chair, Visual & Performing Arts Division Professor of Theatre

5230 West U.S. Highway 98 Panama City, FL 32401 850-872-3887 www.gulfcoast.edu/arts

GCSC Visual and Performing Arts Presents Coastal Wilderness, Drawings by Steve Shepard