The MAC presents Guilty Pleasures by Brittany Coburn

A Message from the McEachern Art Center

The MAC presents Guilty Pleasures by Brittany Coburn, an exhibition that explores the vices, comforts, and coping mechanisms we carry with us as we navigate the complexities of living in the world we love. Functioning both as a new body of work and a retrospective of Coburn’s ongoing research into mental health, Guilty Pleasures examines how seemingly indulgent habits—often dismissed as weaknesses—can instead serve as tools for survival, self-soothing, and resilience.

Working in a wide range of materials, from wood and resin to found-object installation, Coburn employs polished finishes, bright colors, bold language, and layered symbolism to create work that initially appears playful, bubbly, and inviting. Upon closer inspection, satire gives way to sincerity, revealing deeper conversations about anxiety, shame, desire, and emotional endurance. This visual duality reflects a central truth in Coburn’s practice: not everything is as it appears. By softening the initial entry point, her work creates space for viewers to confront difficult subjects with greater openness and empathy.

At its core, Guilty Pleasures is an affirmation of shared experience. Coburn’s work speaks directly to those who may be struggling, offering a quiet but powerful reassurance: you are seen, you are heard, and you are not alone. Rooted in the belief that art can challenge stigma and spark necessary dialogue, this exhibition invites viewers to reconsider their own “guilty pleasures” not as faults, but as evidence of the deeply human effort to cope, heal, and move forward.

Coburn is also conducting an artist workshop for students and community members while in residence in Macon. Admission to the MAC is free and open to the public.

The exhibition will open with a public reception on Friday, Feb. 6, at 6 p.m. The MAC is located at 332 2nd Street, Macon, GA and has regular operating hours during an open exhibition on Thursday-Saturday from 4-8 p.m. Admission is always free and open to the public. Media and educators may access the gallery outside of normal hours by appointment by emailing cohen_j@mercer.edu. Find out more at macmacon.com

OPENS FRIDAY, 2/6

RECEPTION AT 6 P.M.
GUILTY PLEASURES OPEN THROUGH MARCH 22
MCEACHERN ART CENTER