Inspiration can come in many forms, and for artist Roxie Remley, it was music that inspired one of her most recent series of artwork.
       And for many others, Remley herself is an inspiration. At age 90, she is still a lively, active artist and very much a strong part of the Georgia Southern University art world, despite having been retired for some time.
       The faculty emeriti has on exhibit a series of paintings she said were inspired by Beethoven's Symphony #3, Eroica. After hearing it, she contacted Dr. Michael Braz to ask if he had a copy; and the haunting notes of this musical masterpiece stirred Remley to paint - the results can be seen at the GSU Center for Art & Theatre.
       Remley, a spry, enchanting lady, arrived in Statesboro to teach at Georgia Teacher's College in 1950 from Nashville, Tenn. There was no art department, and she taught at the Marvin Pittman Laboratory School.
       Then, one day she saw an ad on a bulletin board seeking an art instructor. Remley took the job and has been going ever since.
She stayed in the area, and has been an active supporter of the art department even after her retirement in 1976. As she enjoyed an artists' reception Friday, Sept. 18, at the Center for Art and Theatre, she marveled at the progress the university's art department has made.
      "I'm so thrilled this happened to GSU," she said. "It is amazing what an impact it has on the community."
       Why Statesboro? What has kept Remley here so long?
       "I thought this was a good place to live," she said.
       Going back to her art, particularly her most recent exhibit, Remley talked about hearing Beethoven's Eroica on the radio and how it caught her attention. " Chaos and grandeur in one symphony" was how she described the piece, and said it moved her to paint.
       She was "delighted with the outcome," she said.
       At the Sept. 18 reception, numerous people greeted Remley and spoke about her fame as one of the university's most talented artists and largest supporters.
       "Anyone who knows Roxie knows she's ... an advocate for the arts with a capital 'A' on both of those words," said Patricia Carter, chairman for the GSU art department. "Roxie is one of the most positive persons I've ever met in my life."
       She is very prolific, too, she said. "When you go to her home, she constantly has new work. She's an artist of note, for sure."
       Braz expressed admiration for Remley's being creatively productive as ever, even though she is 90.
       "The nice thing about the arts is, there is no statute of limitations," he said. "You can be creative all your life."
       Mike Smith, the dean of GSU's College of Liberal Arts, has only known Remley since his arrival at the university in June, but has already learned enough to be impressed.
       He gave her a tour of the newly renovated Foy Fine Arts building and said "She very much approved of it. She took us to the fourth floor where her art studio used to be. She's an amazing person. I hope I'm in that kind of shape when I get that old."
       Apparently, art is in Remley's blood. While fielding questions and greeting friends at the reception, what was really on her mind was art.
       "Right now I'm thinking about a painting I haven't finished yet," she said. "I'm just anxious to get back to the studio."
       Spoken like a true artist.
       Since 1949, Remley has had her works shown almost 80 times in both solo and group venues.