Jimiyo Benedict Opening Reception

Join us for her Opening Reception on Saturday, June 6th at 5:00 PM at The Art Center!”

The Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association welcomes abstract Paper Artist Jimiyo Benedict as our latest member of the 2026 Artist in Residence series! Jimi’s sculptures transform common packaging materials into stylized animal forms that sit between craft, design, and folk sculpture. Built through cutting, layering, and shaping corrugated cardboard and other paper-based materials, the work emphasizes rhythm, surface pattern, and the structural potential of an everyday medium.

“Cardboard is not a refined or obedient material. It bends, crushes, resists, and reveals its structure. I think of the process as a partnership with the medium rather than total control over it. I usually begin with a loose direction, then let the character of the piece emerge through cutting, layering, shaping, and surface treatment. The reveal is often a surprise to me too.” Jimi.

The Opening Reception is free and open to the public, featuring light hors d’oeuvres, a wine bar, beautiful artwork, and more!

The Art Center is located at 420 West Main Street in beautiful downtown Blue Ridge, GA.Come and see why we’re one of the premier destinations for Arts in the Southeast!