Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1512887
DECEMBER 2023/JANUARY 2024 | maconmagazine.com 71 I n early 2019, Mercer University celebrated the grand opening of the McEachern Art Center (the MAC) at 332 Second Street in downtown Macon, bringing a formerly unoccupied building back to life. Conceived as "Mercer's front porch" – a place where the public could interact with the university at any time, it's designed to be "contemporary for everybody," welcoming all Maconites to experience art in fresh ways. Inheriting not only the historic art deco building but also a vault from its prior occupant, the Atlanta Gas Light Company, the gallery is full of interesting elements that contribute to the creative environment developing at the MAC – for an ecosystem that benefits the university community, Macon locals, and regional influence. Today, McEachern Art Center artists are adding new chapters (and paint splatters) to the location's rich history. Since its opening, the art gallery has hosted a wide range of exhibits featuring numerous artists from other communities and from Macon, including Mercer students. Now at the helm: Johnny Cohen Though open for only four years, the MAC quickly made itself known within the community with works curated by Ben Dunn, and recently came under new leadership with Macon native Johnny Cohen. Upon being named the second director for the MAC last summer, Cohen has worked to provide the local community with a space that fosters creativity and artistic exploration by showcasing contemporary art from emerging and established Southeastern artists. After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and a Master of Fine Arts in sculpture from Savannah College of Art and Design, Cohen quickly got to work cleaning and rearranging the gallery in order to curate and open his first show less than a month after returning to his hometown. Artist Randy Kemp gives an artist talk to a packed crowd at the opening of From Ocmulgee to Okmulgee. Photo by Jessica Whitley