THE EPIPHANY GALLERY
Our Gallery provides a space for emerging artists an opportunity to showcase their work through monthly exhibits. If you are an artist or want to recommend someone to show in our gallery, please contact our curator.
​
Contact Us
-
Liefy Smith, Co-chair
-
Page Love Smith, Co-chair
EPIPHANY'S ART MINISTRY
welcomes art made from recycled materials
by Carol Veliotis
Now through February 28, 2025
GALLERY HOURS
Sunday mornings following the 10:00 a.m. service.
Monday - Thursday from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Payment - Use the QR Code located in the gallery. Remember - 25% of all sales benefit Epiphany.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
"Life is short. Art is long." – Hippocrates, 330 B.C.
​
A native of Covington, Georgia, Carol Veliotis is a distinguished artist whose passion for creativity spans decades. She holds a B.A. in Art from Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina, and further honed her skills at the School of Visual Arts in New York City and the University of Georgia Art School. Carol has participated in numerous workshops, including sessions led by Joe Perrin, the former head of the Georgia State University Art Department.
​
Carol served as Artist-in-Residence at five Newton County elementary schools, fostering creativity in young minds. She also owned and operated the Upstairs Art Studio in Covington, where she taught children and adults for 13 years. Her artistic repertoire includes oil, acrylic, watercolor, collage, and found-object art.​​
​
​Her works are widely collected by individuals and businesses alike. Carol’s contributions to the art world include a painting in the permanent collection of a Georgia museum, a testament to her talent. She has received numerous awards, including multiple first-place honors, and was featured on WSB-TV with the Going Green Award.
​
Carol’s artistic journey also took her to a Greek island, where she spent 15 years working with hand painting local artworks. One of her signs is even featured in an international publication. Returning to Georgia, she owned and operated Van Go’s Studio, representing over 90 artists for four years. Her work has been showcased at Wild Art and Southern Heartland Gallery in Covington, and the Walton Center for the Arts in Monroe. Most recently, she started an art ministry gallery last year at the Good Shepard Episcopal church in Covington.
Carol continues to inspire through her versatile and award-winning artistry, leaving an enduring legacy in the art community.
​
ARTIST STATEMENT
Reduce, reuse, recycle—this has been my guiding mantra since returning to the United States in 1986. My journey into creating art from reclaimed materials began unexpectedly one day during a walk. A twisted piece of metal on the sidewalk caught my eye. I picked it up, studied its form, and thought, “This looks like a miniature sculpture of a person with their arms raised.” That moment sparked a creative calling.
Later, I showcased my work in a solo exhibition titled Reclamation at the Arts Connection Gallery in Atlanta. Each piece in the show was crafted from recycled metal and other found objects. A colleague once remarked, “I swear, Carol, you could go to the dump, pick up junk, and turn it into gold.”
My process is both intuitive and serendipitous. The materials must “appear” to me during my daily walks. I collect, clean, and hold onto these discarded treasures until their potential reveals itself—until I can see the image within.
This art is more than a creative outlet; it’s my way of giving new life to what would otherwise be discarded. Each piece is not only unique but also one less item destined for a landfill.
​
ABOUT THE ART MINISTRY
The Art Ministry is about providing emerging artists a venue to showcase their work through monthly exhibits in our gallery. Over the years, we have exhibited many parishioners work including painting, photography and mixed media, as well as work by many other local artists. God’s bounty of creation is shared through these diverse and changing exhibits that also include art from Emmaus House and Holy Comforter, art related to the church calendar and visual supports for Adult Education programs. In the case of diocesan groups, they benefit by receiving 100% of any sales. By exhibiting their creative work, other artists receive more exposure and opportunity for sales. Our parish benefits by having interesting work that enhances our space and by retaining 25% of any sales.
The work of the ministry includes:
​
-
finding and scheduling the artists
-
installing their work in our gallery
-
introducing the artist through articles in The Epiphany Star
-
accounting of sales.
At the end of each calendar year, annual profits are distributed toward needs (mostly with a visual component) in the parish as determined by the committee and the Rector. In the past Art Ministry profits have gone to Vacation Bible School, Outreach, new vestments for our clergy and a wireless microphone system for the church.
​