Paintings by Matt Armstrong and Craig Hawkins

On view September 11 - November 8, 2026

OPENING RECEPTION: Friday, September 11th at 7pm at Sojourn Midtown (1207 S. Shelby St.). Doors open at 7PM with a conversation with the artists beginning at 7:30PM. Come look at paintings, ask the artists questions, and enjoy snacks with friends. All ages welcome.

“Arising from over 25 years of exploring the supernatural, Manifest is an art exhibition that features recent works by two longtime friends and artists, Craig Hawkins and Matt Armstrong. Over the years, their friendship has been bonded by a profound desire to express their pursuit of a deeply personal faith through creating artwork. Hawkins’ work delves into a narrative thread of trees, while Armstrong’s focus turns to a visual depiction of prayer. Each piece is an opportunity to find common ground to explore, question, and imagine how the supernatural may be made manifest to each of us.”

— Matt Armstrong & Craig Hawkins

Matt Armstrong, born in a Chicago suburb in 1980, moved to Georgia with his family at the age of six. Growing up surrounded by southern culture, he found inspiration that shaped his perspective on both life and creativity. In 2003, he graduated from Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in studio art. Since then, Armstrong’s work has been exhibited, published, and collected both nationally and internationally. He has also been a resident artist in Akureyri, Iceland; Berlin, Germany; and Atlanta, Georgia, where he currently lives and works. To learn more about Armstrong and his art, visit www.mattarmstrongart.com. 

Matt’s Artist Statement:

“This series of artwork draws inspiration from a vivid illustration of prayer found in Chapter 5 of the book of Revelation. This passage describes the throne room of God in great detail, including imagery of golden bowls filled with fragrant incense encircling the throne. The incense is depicted as being the prayers of the saints. That imagery struck me as very profound—the idea that the very air the Lord chooses to breathe, and surround Himself with, is composed of the prayers of His children, and that this aroma is pleasing to Him.

As an artist, I feel a deep sense of purpose to contribute beauty to the world and to positively influence culture. My approach to create a piece of art usually begins with my own exploration of truth and beauty as they relate to relationships and the human experience. I strive to communicate my ideas and emotions through clear and honest visuals. In this instance, the simplicity of a golden bowl of burning incense.

Above all, my goal is to create something beautiful. I hope that anyone who encounters my work will walk away having experienced a moment of beauty, even if no deeper meaning is discovered.”

Craig Hawkins, a studio artist and educator in South Georgia, centers his studio practice on drawing and painting. With an M.F.A. from the University of Georgia, he skillfully balances being a dedicated studio artist and respected professor at Valdosta State University.

Ancient Hebrew and Greek Scriptures hold a special place in his heart, shaping his creative approach. Hawkins delves into their rhythmic narrative patterns, infusing his art with symbolism and motifs that echo their wisdom. His work beautifully blends chronicles and creativity, using visual art to channel ageless insights. Hawkins states, “My work is a reflection of my experience with scripture, a result of my experience growing up in the south, a response to the inherent value of everyone, and a perceived need for beauty and community in the world.” To learn more about Hawkins and his art, visit www.craighawkinsart.com.

Craig’s Artist Statement:

“In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and bad.” —The Book of Genesis

“Within a biblical survey of trees, I see them appear at strategic moments in the biblical story. Trees mark moments of choice & testing but also an overlap of God’s presence and human presence. The design and placement of ancient near eastern historical references & contemporary domestic references all become vessels for metaphor. The dichotomy of flat graphics vs. volumetric rendering point to the symbiotic nature of an abstract vs. material world. Through captivating realism, I curate a sense of wonder and curiosity with the use of both toys and religious symbols that point to imagination and meaning in a chaotic world.”

Check out the Bible Projects’ episode “Humans Are…Trees?” from their podcast series Tree of Life to learn more about Craig’s inspiration.