Some of us hear them, others sight and name them. Whether it is the colorful plumes, birdsong or the winged flight in motion, their presence compliments a local landscape.

I feel it is the same with those individuals working or supporting the Arts; be it visual, literary or performing. An absence of these artists or advocates would leave a lonesome place.

These small paintings were created for the Florence Regional Arts Awards. It is with much gratitude that I celebrate the hues, song, and movement these individuals create, guide and bring to our community. May their stories continue to take flight and leave Florence a better place.

(A video highlighting the recipients can be found on the Florence Regional Arts Alliance‘s Facebook page.)

Reference Photo Attribution:

Chikadee:© Francis C. Franklin / CC-BY-SA-3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Cardinal: Mike's Birds from Riverside, CA, US, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Painted Bunting: Don Faulkner, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Bluebird:William H. Majoros, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Robin:en:User:Mdf, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons

Wren: Manjith Kainickara, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons