Steve Hinton & Friends…

This summer, the Albany Museum of Art will have the pleasure to be a gathering place once again for the joyful and eclectic artworks of Steve Hinton. This exhibition will present an array of works made during his lifetime, as well as works created by friends of Steve and his wife, Bronwyn. This celebration of Steve’s work will give viewers the opportunity to step into a lifetime of creativity, friendships, and artistic collaborations.

The exhibition includes works by Steve, which are in the Haley Gallery; works by his friends, which are in the East Gallery, and works from Steve and Bronwyn’s personal collection, which are in the upstairs McCormack Gallery. "Steve Hinton & Friends … From the Beginning" opened on April 20 and will continue through Aug 12, 2023.

Steve is known for his rich use of color, and for his ability to capture the essence of his subjects—many of whom were his friends—on canvas. The viewer experiences the world through his eyes and perspective, whether it is a breathtaking South Georgia sunrise breaking through the branches of tall trees in the woods or a scene full of activity with friends enjoying a delightful afternoon in the water and onshore at a lakeside home. He painted and drew what he loved: family, friends, parties, dogs, kids, Southern landscapes, and architecture…frequently all in the same artwork. There is a clever, whimsical foundation in his work that is playful and joyful at heart, offering a sly, subtle wink to the viewer from the artist.

A native of Chattanooga, Tenn., Steve earned an art history degree from Vanderbilt University in 1974. He and classmate Bronwyn married, and the couple moved to New York, where Steve painted and showed his work out of a Chelsea studio while working for Frank Macintosh and Peter Barton at Henri Bendel. The Hintons moved to Albany in

Vic Miller, "Mona Lisa with a Cigarette," 1964, oil on canvas, on loan from Vic and Sister Miller

Steve Hinton, "Union 76 Station," 1976, oil on canvas, on loan from Stephanie Hinton

Steve Hinton, Pablo and Paloma Picasso Get Dressed to Go to the Mall," 1981, oil on canvas, on loan from Betsy and Blair Dorminey

Steve Hinton, "Letter to Corea," 1999, oil on canvas, on lona from Molly and Bill Swan

SteveHinton, "Femme Fete," 2000, oil on canvas, on loan from Collins Daye

Steve Hinton, "Lady on the Box," 1972, oil on canvas, on loan from Jean Gray Mos

1982, where Steve worked at his family’s business before launching his career as a full-time professional artist in 1997. The 2002 Georgia Artist of the Year, Steve continued painting and drawing until his passing in February 2021.

Angel Deal, "Dance Party," 2023, encaustic, on loan from Angel Dean

As much as Steve has been an influence with his artwork, both he and Bronwyn have been integral supporters of the Albany Museum of Art throughout the years, serving in a number of critical capacities, and selflessly working at fundraisers and events. Steve, a lifetime

My Friendship with Steve Hinton,

By Beaty Reynolds

The first time I heard about Steve and Bronwyn Hinton was the summer of 1977. My friend Angel Dean had just spent a magical week at their place in Valdosta, Ga. Despite my curiosity about these glamorous Hintons, I didn’t actually meet either of them until three years later, in their neighbor’s apartment in Midtown Manhattan.

Manhattan in 1980 was the center of the universe. If you had a dream of being an artist or a writer or an actor— anything creative—that was the place member of the AMA Board of Trustees, also served for a period as interim director of the museum. In 2022, the Hintons were honored by the Friends of the AMA as AMA Treasures with a tribute video. The Hintons’ deep involvement in the community did not stop with the museum. They have given generous support to numerous causes and organizations, and Steve was instrumental in bringing a Georgia Public Radio station to Albany. to be. Steve Hinton seemed to be at the very epicenter of that world. I met more people in three months than I had in my entire life. And all because of Steve. One fun thing always seemed to lead to something that was more fun, more exciting. He wanted to do readings of my silly one-acts in his and Bronwyn’s apartment. A year later, he and Bronwyn, and I were mounting my first full-length play Off-OffBroadway.

Friends from both near and far have contributed to this exhibition. The Albany Museum of Art would like to thank each of the generous lenders for joining us in honoring this tremendous individual.

I vividly remember the excitement of being in his studio and witnessing the blooming of his Southern experiences on canvas. I remember the many nights of dancing until the wee hours with Steve and Bronwyn and Julie and Pari and Angel at Danceteria, the Peppermint Lounge and Hurrah, and the great parties they threw for their Vanderbilt friends and every Georgia band that ever played in NYC.

Steve and I remained close for the next forty years.

Steve Hinton, "Colquitt County Landscape," 2000, oil on canvas, on loan from the Hon. John Stephenson