MOULTRIE, Georgia – On June 25, the last exhibition at Colquitt County Arts Center will open for the public to browse through the colorful and abstract works of Lawrence Tobe.

Tobe, 91, brings his artistic vision to Colquitt County after attending the Southern Arts Invitational in fall 2020.

A prolific artist and veteran of the art scene, Tobe first exhibited his work in 1964 in the 26^e Annual exhibition of contemporary American paintings at the Society of Four Arts in Palm Beach, Florida. Since then he has exhibited his work often, mainly in Florida and Georgia, and has permanent collections in Kentucky and Florida. His past exhibitions include a 2018 One Person Show, “Exploring the Present Through the Past” at the Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta, GA.

A student at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, Tobe received his bachelor’s degree in painting in 1954 and his master’s degree in painting and sculpture in 1957, both on full scholarships.

His professional experience included teaching art in public schools in Dade County, Florida from 1958 to 1963, before pursuing a 30-year career in the Department of Fine Arts at Broward College in Davie, Florida. .

From 1972 to 1982 he was also chairman of the fine arts department at Broward College.

After preparing for eight weeks since being contacted, Tobe is providing 20 paintings for the exhibition, a few of which should be removed from the exhibition if space does not allow.

Tobe said six of the paintings are very large compared to the others.

And while they are now settling into their frames, Tobe said his daily painting process has always included small touch-ups as they go.

“I look at my new paints almost three times a week, making adjustments,” Tobe said, “Sometimes I may think a room needs a brighter yellow.”

Tobe said painting daily and organizing colors and patterns keeps his mind from rotting.

Tobe’s experiment with art began in elementary school, encouraged by his teachers, and painted ever since.

Today, Tobe is known for his Abstract Expressionist paintings, which he says are influenced by his studies of world cultures and natural history.

Finding a unique style, he says, is important for an artist trying to stand out.

“You have to be significantly or at least a little different to be noticed,” Tobe said.

Tobe enjoys painting on his farm in Quitman, Georgia, and the landscape for his personal botanical garden provided by his son, John Tobe, a published botanist and assistant professor at Florida State University.

The new exhibit will be hosted at the Vereen Gallery at the Colquitt County Art Center and will be open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

It will be accessible to the public, free of charge, until August 13.