24 Jul “Reflective Light, Honest Shadows” by Raymond Sturkey in the City Gallery
Ray Sturkey is a classically trained artist whose work explores the spiritual and emotional depths of human experience. Blending traditional techniques with his own personal style, Ray creates pieces that reach beyond the visible and resonate on a soul-deep level.
His artistic journey has been shaped by a range of influential figures, including local icons Janice Williams Whiting and Philip Morsberger, as well as renowned artists Benny Andrews and Martin Puryear. While their work has informed his approach, Ray says it is the power of honest emotional expression that fuels his passion for creating.
Beyond his own art, Ray is a dedicated educator at Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School. He finds great joy in nurturing young talent, especially when students go on to become Artist Educators themselves. Watching them grow and use their voices through art is, for him, the most rewarding part of his career.
A recent highlight was Ray’s leadership on a crosswalk mural at East Boundary and Telfair Street in South Augusta. Created with local volunteers, the mural not only brought beauty and attention to a dangerous intersection but also celebrated community pride. Ray describes the experience as extraordinary.
You can find Ray’s work through social media, with a new website coming soon. His art is also featured in projects with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Augusta and in DefEd Magazine.
Through his art and teaching, Ray Sturkey invites us to look deeper, where spirit, emotion, and creativity meet. You can visit his exhibition in the City Gallery, in the lobby of the Augusta Richmond County Municipal Building at 535 Telfair Street Augusta, GA 30901 from July 22 – October 16, 2025. The Gallery is free and open to the public Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. A lunchtime reception will be held on Friday, July 25th from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. To learn more, visit www.augustaarts.com/galleries .