George Ayers Cress (Alabama/Tennessee, 1921-2008), "River Patterns," oil on canvas expressionist view of the Chattanooga riverfront, with the Walnut Street Bridge spanning the Tennessee River and patches of atmospheric light reflected in the water. Signed and dated "George Cress 1958". Exhibition label en verso for the Mid-South Exhibition of Paintings, 1958, Brooks Memorial Art Gallery, Overton Park, Memphis, Tennessee. Housed in a light grey painted wooden frame. Sight - 30" H x 40" W. Framed - 37 7/8" H x 47 3/4" W. Mid 20th century. Provenance: Deaccessioned from the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Biography (courtesy Tennessee Historical Quarterly Vol. XLIV No. 2: "Landscape and Genre Painting in Tennessee 1810-1985"): George Cress was born in Anniston, Alabama and studied at Emory University, American University, and the University of Georgia, where he studied under fellow Southern contemporary artist Lamar Dodd. He was a central figure in Chattanooga's arts community and served as President of the Tennessee Arts Council and sat on the board of the Hunter Museum of Art. From 1951-1984 he was painter in residence at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga; the Cress Gallery of Art at UTC is named in his honor.