The Montag Gallery at the Jewish Educational Alliance is pleased to announce the upcoming

two-person show featuring local painters, Karen McVay Butch and Harris Lewis, June 1-27,

2025. All are welcome to attend their opening reception on Thursday, June 12, 5-7pm.

Artist Karen McVay Butch received her BFA and MFA from the Savannah College of Art and

Design. Her artwork includes paintings, installations, and costumed parades, while working in

her family-owned restaurant Elizabeth on 37th.

Savannah native, Harris Lewis, started painting while a student in grade school most notably at

the Telfair Academy. Later, while working as an attorney, he took workshops on watercolor and

oil painting. Since retiring as a Chatham County Judge in 2017, Harris has enjoyed painting in

studio and plein air painting at the Jepson Center. He has exhibited in shows at Downstairs

Gallery, the Ships of the Sea Museum, The Learning Center of Senior Citizens, Inc., and the

Savannah Art Association Gallery at the Savannah Airport.

For years, friends Karen and Harris have shared art studios and enjoy the camaraderie, helpful

suggestions, and friendly critiques in a safe, shared space, yet their painting approaches are

very different. Harris is an a-la-prima painter, the results are fresh and energetic. Karen’s work

is produced in layers, calculated to grow the composition.

Their art reflects their daily lives. Harris lives on the Vernon River and his landscapes display his

deep love of the salt marshes. Karen’s still life paintings often show her love of the table and

food obsession.