PRCC opens fall art shows with Cynthia, Michael Schafer | Arts & Culture

The following is a press release from Pearl River Community College:

The creations of a husband and wife team open the fall semester art shows at Pearl River Community College.

The works of Michael and Cynthia Schafer of Hattiesburg, both PRCC employees, will be on display through Oct. 19. The show is entitled “Seeing Double.”

Michael Schafer specializes in chainmaille jewelry, replicating the look of ancient armor.

“Chainmaille weaves are so versatile that it’s possible to make dainty feminine bracelets and hefty masculine chains simply by using different gauges and different kinds of metal,” he said. “It is made by manipulating jump rings, twisting them open and closing them back together in a pattern.”

Pattern names, such as full Persian weave and Byzantine, recall the history of the jewelry.

“It’s very popular among people who are in the Society for Creative Anachronism,” he said. “I had wanted to try it because the basis of chainmaille jewelry, as most history buffs know, is the same as the weaves used centuries ago to make the chainmaille armor that we see in so many movies.”

Michael Schafer began making the jewelry a few months ago but Cynthia Schafer has been drawing, painting, woodburning and making jewelry most of her life.

“I have loved art since I was a small child and was encouraged by my grandmother to create designs from scribbles on paper,” she said. “Most of the artwork in this show was created in PRCC Special Studio classes with (PRCC art instructor) Charleen Null during the summers. These classes have allowed me to explore different mediums, such as watercolor and acrylic painting, color pencil drawing, wood burning, mosaics, jewelry making and flower arranging.”

Most of her work features bright, vivid colors and happy/positive images because she wants viewers to feel joy when they see it. She calls art her yoga and meditation.

“It relaxes and de_stresses me to the point I am in my own world,” she said.

Cynthia Schafer holds a BFA degree in graphic design and print-making and is starting her 13th year as PRCC’s media specialist. After working most of his life in retail, Michael Schafer began work as a custodian at PRCC in March.

Their “Seeing Double” show is on display in the first floor gallery area of Moody Hall on the Poplarville campus. The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and will be open on Oct. 13, during PRCC’s homecoming.