March 1–31, 2026 @ Johnson County Center for the Arts
MOUNTAIN CITY — Johnson County Center for the Arts hosts photographer, designerand potter Ciara Rain as its March featured artist. Rain's show titled "The Work"celebrates the grit, determination and beauty of a community that has embraced her. By photographing its members' hands, Rain honors the shared labor and care through which the community continues to make itself stronger, healthierand more beautiful.
Born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains, Rain'swork is inspired by the beauty and strength of these mountains and the people who call them home. A portrait photographer of 23 years, Rain has focused her lens on the challenge of capturing her subject's true light.
“As an artist I fell in love with photography after training as a wedding photographer's assistant in high school,” said Rain.“This photographer inspired a love of portraiture that had taken control of my soul, the challenge of seeing beauty in everything and everyone. Studying photography in college brought me closer and closer to the truth of my obsession, that after we are gone, the weight and importance of a true portrait of someone's essence only grows. The responsibility to capture the true spirit of my subject has felt like my life's calling.
“This show, which I'm calling 'The Work,' features black and white portraits of hard-working hands and was inspired by my mother's hands after surgery,” said Rain.“A tribute to her sacrifices for her life's work as a floral designer, environmentalist, early childhood educatorand volunteer.”
The pieces are displayed on a variety of mediums, from an encaustic technique, to images on canvas and metal. The show also features some of Rain'spottery work; ceramic cups, bowls and vases.
You can see more of Rain's work at the Johnson County Center for the Arts’Gallery on Main as well as on her social media sites.
The opening is Friday, March 6 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Johnson County Center for the Arts’Gallery, Mountain City, Tennessee. There will be light refreshments and a local musician.