After successfully presenting spring and summer 2020 art exhibitions virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of North Georgia (UNG) art galleries will display their fall shows online and in person on UNG's Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses.

"The galleries will be open with social distancing rules in the galleries," said Victoria Cooke, director of art galleries.

She explained the decision to continue in-person shows was to give students the best art experience.

"The main purpose of the gallery is actually teaching students," Cooke said. "They see plenty of works in slides in class. When they can see art in person, they can look at the techniques and see what the artist did on a canvas, print or sculpture. You don't see that in slides in the same way."

Talks from the featured artists, however, will be conducted via Zoom. This will give UNG students direct access to professionals for a designated period of time. Interested students can register by emailing Cooke at Victoria.Cooke@ung.edu.

Professionals slated for the fall 2020 exhibitions include printmakers, painters and sculptures. Many are local, but others are from other states or countries.

Returning for its ninth installment was The Southern Printmaking Biennial in the Bob Owens Art Gallery on UNG's Dahlonega Campus. It was the first exhibition on display in Dahlonega for the 2020-21 academic year.

"We had printmakers from all over the world participating in this annual exhibit," Cooke said. "We had a wide variety of work and techniques."

She explained it was a juried show, which means a juror or panel of jurors selected the exhibition pieces.

"The piece selected best in show will be the juror for the next show," Cooke said.

The first show at the Roy C. Moore Art Gallery will feature printmaker and sculptor Leigh Garcia.

The first show at the Roy C. Moore Art Gallery will feature printmaker and sculptor Leigh Garcia, who has a unique point of view based on her heritage. Cooke said Garcia's mother is a native of Texas and her father is a native of Mexico.

"Her art deals with immigration and identity issues, which speaks to things going on in the country right now," Cooke said.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cooke said she will remain flexible with the other fall exhibitions.