The City of North Charleston’s Cultural Arts Department will host an exhibition of paintings by local artist Baird Hoffmire in the display windows of The Meeting Place from September 3-October 31, 2013. The public is invited to attend a free reception hosted by the artist on Friday, September 6, from 6:00-8:00pm.

As an animator and illustrator, it is no surprise that Baird Hoffmire is heavily influenced and inspired by myth and various forms of storytelling. In Images From a Restless Mind, he offers a collection of “stories” told in his bold, distinctive style through acrylic and mixed media. Ranging from the humorous to the disturbing, Hoffmire’s work combines elements of memory, emotion, and old family photos with comic books, pop culture, and current events. “I’m inspired by how social commentary and observations about the world can be coded into symbols in obvious and subtle ways,” he says. “By attempting to balance wit and humor with sensitive subject matter, I hope to weave a narrative that is accessible and evocative to the viewer.”                  

Baird Hoffmire is an animator, illustrator, graphic designer, and fine artist all rolled into one. He received a BFA in Illustration from Western Carolina University in 1993 and a BFA in Media Arts and Animation from the Art Institute of Atlanta in 2002. He has illustrated more than 20 children's books and his client list includes The North Face, Timex, Amazon, Firehouse Subs and BellSouth. He founded Electric PaintBrush Studio in 2002 and works and lives in Charleston with his wife, Jane, and his daughters, Sadie and Harper. To view his work online, visit bairdhoffmire.com or electricpaintbrush.com

The Meeting Place is located at 1077 East Montague Avenue in the revitalized Olde Village area of North Charleston. Parking is free. Display window exhibits offer visitors a continuous opportunity to view artwork by different artists monthly or bimonthly. Inquiries about this exhibition and exhibition opportunities may be directed to the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at (843) 740-5854 or culturalarts@northcharleston.org. For information on additional exhibits, programs, and events, visit the Cultural Arts section of the City’s website at http://bit.ly/culturalarts.