Local artist Harold Rittenberry opened his first one-man exhibition
with never-before-seen pen and ink works Sunday afternoon at
Ashford Manor in Watkinsville.

Rittenberry is originally from Athens and has never left the realm of
the Classic City.

He is best known for his work with wooden carvings and metal
sculptures, many of which are on display at his Athens residence,
268 Colima Ave., one block behind the International House of
Pancakes off Baxter.

Rittenberry began drawing at a young age and recalls making his
first sculpture of King Kong out of a dirt wall in 1951, but he did not
begin his most recent work with sculpture until he bought a
welding torch in 1985.

Rittenberry has never had any formal training, never pre-plans his
work and uses no models for his inspiration.

“I do all of this from scratch,” he said.

Suzanne Bennett, an admirer and friend of the artist, describes
Rittenberry as a “genius, diverse, multi-talented, and a wonderful
piece of humanity.”

Rittenberry has collections on display throughout the United States
and other countries, including France and Germany.

One metal sculpture and two wooden pieces currently are on
display at the Lyndon House Art Center in Athens.

The exhibition at Ashford Manor is a collection of pen and ink
works that Rittenberry created during the early ’80s.

The pieces had been hidden in two portfolios in a closet in
Rittenberry’s home until recently.

Bennett was visiting Rittenberry’s home and admiring the only pen
and ink work he had on display, when he offered to show her more
of the collection.

When Bennett went to have a piece framed by Masters Gallery and
Framing, owner Peggy Holcomb inquired about the artist.

Masters is a Watkinsville gallery that features work by local
artists.

“I like to promote as many local artists as I can,” Holcomb
said.

Masters collaborated with Ashford Manor to put together the
exhibition for Rittenberry which will be on display through
December.