ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — The Hot Shop resident artist, Joe Hobbs, will exhibit his new work as part of the Friends of the Arts Visiting Artist Series at the Orange Beach Art Center. This will be an interesting, thought-provoking exhibit.

The exhibit will open Thursday, Sept. 3, at 5:30 p.m., with an Artist’s Reception, and it will run through Oct. 14.

In his new work, produced during his bachelor of fine arts studies at the University of West Florida, Hobbs explores images from his childhood in southern California. Images of violence and redemption, annihilation and salvation, graffiti and delicately sculpted clay and glass pieces stand in contrast to each other as the artists reveals a world of mixed messages.

When asked to comment on his new works, Hobbs said, “I did not have a driving idea when I started the work. I did, however, want to create imagery that I like. I grew up in So Cal skateboarding, surfing and dodging street gangs. Since I have been in school the past few years I have searched to my core for what images I like to create. This body of work is completely cathartic. The works material is wood, metal, clay, paint, paper and glass. Much of  the material has been discarded and I salvage it and put my mark on it.”

Hobbs began the glass program at the Belmont Art Center in Pensacola in 2001. He learned of The Hot Shop at OBAC during a visit to the center to view the gallery for this solo exhibit.

Hobbs has studied with international glass masters at Dale Chilhuly’s famed Pilchuck glass school.

He is currently teaching glass-blowing at The Hot Shop.

During the Artist’s Reception, Hobbs will create a hand or torso during the hot glass demo at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on this exhibit, glass blowing classes or to join Friends of the Arts Inc., visit www.orangebeachartcenter.com.