Each month, our community gallery features new exhibitions of original works created by local and regional artists in our Gallery @ Room 1927, located at 6 South Joachim Street (next door to the Saenger Theatre). The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Any artists are eligible and may submit a proposal for consideration. Exhibitions are usually displayed from the first Wednesday through the last day of each month.
In addition to our traditional gallery, we are now also accepting proposals for quarterly exhibitions in our window display cases, located between Room 1927 and the Saenger Box Office. If you are interested in creating a window installation, email director@mobilearts.org.
Join us on the second Friday of each month during LoDa ArtWalk for our exhibition receptions. Meet the artists, see their work in person, and create a personal connection with what is on display. Our gallery is open to the public Tuesdays - Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. View our current and recent exhibitors below!
Our Community Gallery program is made possible thanks to the Daniel Foundation of Alabama and the J.L. Bedsole Foundation. To sponsor an exhibition, please see our Sponsorship Information.
2025 EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
Exhibition schedule is subject to change.*
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
JAWS Youth is a Jazz Art Writers South Festival (JAWS Fest) community arts education & celebration program for students under the age of 18. The JAWS Youth program is brought together in Partnership with Alabama Art Education Association (AAEA), Mobile Arts Council (MAC), Amp Up Arts, the University of South Alabama Libraries Art Galleries and your participation.
Students will have the opportunity to showcase their artwork in the professional gallery setting at the University of South Alabama through a juried exhibition in conjunction with JAWS Fest. JAWS Fest is a two-month long celebration of music, art, and culture. Hosted by the South Alabama University Libraries department, this festival brings jazz concerts, art galleries, and more to the South Alabama and Mobile communities. The first JAWS Festival was hosted in summer 2022 and has since grown into the celebration we know today. Learn more about JAWS Fest at: www.jawsfestival.com.
If you are or know a student looking to participate in the JAWS Youth exhibition, apply here today!
Contact Kat Stoves at kat@mobilearts.org with any questions.
The Mobile Arts Council (MAC) is proud to present two inspiring exhibitions this October: Watercolor Society of Alabama’s Annual Fall Show & The Watercolor & Graphic Arts Society of Mobile’s Annual Members’ Showcase.
Watercolor Society of Alabama
The Watercolor Society of Alabama (WSA) was organized in 1939 and has been a continuing and vibrant influence in advancing the art of watercolor painting and has contributed to the enrichment of the cultural environment of the citizens of the State of Alabama. Yearly the society sponsors two shows, a national juried exhibition and a statewide juried showcase. The location of WSA National Annual Exhibitions changes throughout Alabama offering residents an opportunity to view collections of fine art watercolor paintings in their communities.
In addition to the educational benefits of the National Exhibition and State Showcase, WSA provides for their members water media workshops taught by prominent US artists. These classes provide an opportunity for members to increase their artistic skills and knowledge.
The Watercolor Society of Alabama has had a significant impact on the arts within Alabama by encouraging and fostering support of membership. The society is one of the oldest major watercolor organizations in the nation. Because of the media coverage it receives from national art publications, WSA has attracted favorable notice for its commitment to excellence. Explore other information regarding WSA exhibitions and view the galleries on the website, www.watercolorsocietyofal.org.
The Watercolor & Graphic Arts Society of Mobile
The Watercolor & Graphic Arts Society is probably the oldest arts organization in Mobile and one of the oldest in the state of Alabama. The Society began as an outgrowth of the celebrated Bayou Painters group on June 5, 1948. It was then known as the “Watercolor Society of Mobile” and was open to artists throughout Alabama. There were originally twenty-two members including Genevieve Southerland, Edmond deCelle, William Bush, and the late Bea Q. Tucker. Since then, many well known and well respected artists have become members. Records indicate that the graphic arts addition began in 1954. Today there are nearly one hundred members.
As a non-profit organization, the object of The Watercolor & Graphic Arts Society is to create, through education, more interest in the media of watercolor and graphic arts, and to promote finer watercolor and graphic arts exhibitions by Alabama artists.
Opening Reception
Join us for the official opening reception during LoDa ArtWalk on Friday, October 10th, from 6–9 p.m. at the Mobile Arts Council Gallery @ Room 1927. Visitors are invited to enjoy the exhibitions, meet the artists, and celebrate creativity in the heart of downtown Mobile.
Both exhibitions will remain on view from Tuesday October 7th -Thursday, October 30th, free and open to the public.
*The Mobile Arts Council Gallery @ Room 1927 will be closed for a private event on Wednesday, October 8th.*
PAST EXHIBITIONS
Ardith Goodwin, acclaimed visual artist and storyteller, is set to make her literary debut with the release of her first novel, Pendwonderative, the inaugural book in her “predictably unpredictable” fantasy series for ages 9 and up. To celebrate this milestone, Goodwin will also launch her solo art show, The Predictably Unpredictable Tales From The Land of Ardithian, featuring over 90 original works of art relating to the physical world, the characters, the energy and the spheres which create the magic system in this unpredictable world. This highly anticipated exhibition will run from October 3 to October 31, 2024, at Mobile Arts Council Gallery @ Room 1927.
The Predictably Unpredictable Tales From The Land of Ardithian, will bring Goodwin’s artistic vision to life, with almost 100 original works of art. Each piece offers a window into the unique characters, settings, and objects from her fictional world. Attendees can expect to see vivid depictions of the Land of Ardithian light house, the energetic city of Elibom, and an array of enchanting personalities that fill the pages of her novel. From paintings in acrylic and mixed media, this audacious exhibition showcases the essence of Ardithian energy, filled with colorful, dreamlike imagery that resonates with children and adults alike. “Not many artists write, and not many writers paint, so I wanted to challenge myself to do both by fusing my love of writing with my love of contemporary art as well as illustration.”
Growing up on the Gulf Coast left a huge impression on her and the setting in her book series is directly connected to an imaginary, parallel world that exists within the one we know. Ties to Mobile, Dauphin Island, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Fairhope, and iconic places connected to lighthouses are intertwined within the pages of her book series. “Locals will absolutely recognize places and details throughout the story that although are imaginary, are inspired and designed by the communities we were raised in. I also wanted to introduce the world to how incredibly beautiful and interesting our area of the states is. Not simply the geography, but the unique people, food, and traditions that have shaped our community such as Mardi Gras and Mobile Bay.”
Formerly an educator of the young, she had to retire from teaching to face many years of medical challenges, which ultimately led her to discovering a love of creativity, imagination, and painting with not only pigment, but also with words. Over 18 years, Goodwin has captivated audiences with her bold, imaginative artwork based on story, complex systems, and dynamic movement. Growing up in the birthplace of Mardi Gras and being raised by a family of professional clowns added to the elements that inspired her way of creating and writing.
This past year, she took the characters and poems from her initial idea and committed herself to writing and painting the first book. Pendwonderative is the culmination of this artistic journey, marking her transition from visual storytelling to the written word. Originally conceived as a collection of poems, Goodwin’s creation evolved into a full-fledged five-book series. The first installment, Pendwonderative, introduces readers to a magical world centered around Mardi Bay, with whimsical locales like Dolphinlandia and Elibom. It is a tale about three unlikely siblings and several unusual friends who find themselves immersed in a journey where they choose to help save not only the animals in the world, but their friends and found families from the horrible Acious clan. Brimming with hope, wonder, and adventure, aimed at inspiring children and readers of all ages, Penwondertive sets the tale, the time, and the place for a wildly imaginary adventure around energy, absolute absurdity, and the belief that we are all meant for greater things.
“I’ve lived in the Land of Ardithian for years, through my paintings and my characters. Now, I’m excited to invite readers to experience the magic of this world through the pages of Pendwonderative,” Goodwin shared. “This story, like my art, is filled with vibrant energy and the fantastical, and I can’t wait to share it in this new medium.”
The exhibition at Mobile Arts Council will be open to the public throughout October, with a special opening reception on October 11, 2024, during Artwalk, where guests will have the opportunity to meet Goodwin and celebrate the official launch of Pendwonderative. A limited number of signed copies of the book will be available for purchase, along with limited-edition prints of the featured artwork.
This September MAC features two new exhibitions: “On the Waterfront” by PleinAirSouth and works by our 2024 Throwdown Artists. This month’s exhibition series is sponsored by The Mobile Airport Authority.
On the Waterfront: The Mobile Bay area is rich with a diversity of water resources, which provide much inspiration for our local artists. The PleinAirSouth artists have spent the past year or so painting scenes of Mobile Bay, Dog River, the Gulf of Mexico beaches, marshes, lakes, ponds, recreation areas, and commercial marinas and port areas. These waterfront areas are celebrated in the plein air studies and studio paintings inspired by their plein air experiences.
PleinAirSouth is an informal group of local artists that like to paint outside in the “plein air” tradition. The group meets once a week to paint together at numerous locations in and around Mobile Bay and the adjacent Gulf coastal areas. Our artists work in various different mediums, including watercolor, oil, acrylic and pastel. Many paintings are completed in a couple of hours; and may serve as a study for a future studio painting or stand alone as a completed painting. The challenge of painting from life is to capture the light, colors, and shadows for a fresh look at the subject when the lighting and weather conditions are constantly changing. Artists learn much from the experience – they must work quickly, applying and honing their skills using portable equipment and limited materials. Local artists interested in painting with the group are encouraged to follow the PleinAirSouth Facebook page.
2024 Throwdown Artists: The Battle of the Art Educators is on! Competitors—seasoned teachers and passionate creators—vie for the coveted Throwdown belt. Last year’s champion, Brian Tan, stands as the one to beat. But who will rise to the challenge? Let’s meet this year’s lineup: Soynika Edwards-Bush, Zak Todd, Christy LeGros, and Katie Thompson. These artists will have 90 minutes to create an original piece of art while utilizing items from a mystery box. At the end of the evening, these one-of-a-kind works will be auctioned off, and the artist with the highest bid will take home the title of 2024 Throwdown champion.
In its 12th year, The Throwdown is the Mobile Arts Council’s (MAC’s) largest annual fundraiser. Whether you are an arts enthusiast or just enjoy a great time, this event has it all!
The Throwdown consists of a live art competition between five of Mobile’s finest local artists, an all-inclusive silent auction, live music, cold spirits, and delicious food.
This year’s event will take place on Thursday, September 26th, from 6 until 9 p.m. at The Temple Downtown.
These exhibitions will hang in MAC’s Gallery @Room 1927 from September 5th through September 28th. **The gallery will be closed September 21st, 2024 for a private event.**
The 2024 Annual MAC Members’ Show features 63 artists in a variety of artistic mediums and styles representative of our area. Unlike our typical month-long exhibitions, this show will be featured in our gallery throughout the months of July and August! We will announce the awards, sponsored by the Dempsey & Litchfield Fund, on August 9th during LoDa ArtWalk.
Congratulations to this year’s Annual MAC Members’ Show Winners:
Best in Show – When Life Begins, Elsa Payton
2nd Place – Ashia, Mayssam Iskandar
3rd Place – The Good Brush, JoAnn Cox
Dempsey & Litchfield Award – painting, photography, or drawing specifically focused on the greater-Mobile area – Mobile Fair Carousels, Micah Mermilliod
Members’ Choice Award – Botanica, Bryant Whelan
Honorable Mention – Undine, Ben Kaiser
Honorable Mention – Prickly Pear Harvest, Zak Todd
Don’t forget to cast your vote for the Members’ Choice Award! Each MAC Member is eligible for one vote. *Voting concludes at midnight on Friday, July 26th*. The winner will be announced on Friday, August 9th during LoDa ArtWalk. You MUST have an active Mobile Arts Council membership by July 26th for your vote to be eligible! Join today: www.mobilearts.org/become-a-member
2024 Members’ Show artists include Althea DeWeever, Amanda Youngblood, Barbara Barrosse Cobb, Barbara Spafford, Ben Kaiser, Brian Tan, Bryant Whelan, Charity Mason, Christopher R Murray, Curtis Clark, Debi Parnell, Elsa Payton, Elyza Woods, Eric Boone, Frank Ledbetter, Frank Vogtner, Gwen Ainsworth, Hailey Clifton, Harlan Schwall, Jamie Johnson, Janet Hinton, Jennifer Clifton, JoAnn Cox, Juli Day, Kathryn Cariglino, Kathryn Sims, Kathy Sowder, Katie Kaufman, Katie Thompson, Kay Spencer, Kelly Estle, Lana Hall, Laura Ledbetter, Linda Angelina Stevens, Lucy Gafford, Louis Tooker, Lynne Weeks, Marley Russell, Marshall OHern, Mayssam Iskandar, Micah Mermilliod, Michelle Pujols, Mike Carmichael, Mike Kittrell, Muffinjaw Designs (Freddie Blache), Muffinjaw Designs (Gage Nobles), Patty Johnson, Philippe Oszuscik, Rebecca Rittenhouse, Robert Wayne, Savannah Maercer, Stephanie Bromley, Susan Wertelecki, Suzanne Fox, Suzanne Howard, Tres Johns, Vernon Fowlkes, Walker Ladd, Walter Dedrick, Zachary Todd, and Vanessa Quintana.
The 2024 MAC Members’ Show will hang in MAC’s Gallery @Room 1927 from July 11th through August 31st. **The gallery will be closed July 25th, 2024 for a private event.**
Stop by MAC’s Gallery @ Room 1927 to shop in our gallery gift shop and to see our newest exhibitions, Figures of Imagination by Eric Achenbach & Ethereal by Lucy Gafford, Benjamin Kaiser, and Vanessa Quintana.
Figures of Imagination deals with the naked identity of humanity through the expression of surrealism and imaginative rendering of the figures. As most of us try to conceal and cover our true selves to conform to societal norms, it is important to express, through art, the vulnerability of our inner nature. We are all humans, regardless of what we believe, and there is a connection that we all share. Eric Achenbach is a self-taught pencil artist. Throughout the years he has never taken his drawings or art seriously. Drawing was simply something he liked to do, starting and stopping as inspiration would ebb and flow. It wasn’t until the pandemic of 2020 that Achenbach seriously put effort into drawing, becoming inspired by South African artist Jono Dry and the surrealist painter René Magritte. Through the support of his wife and family, he has yet to put the pencil back down.
“I hope that my work provokes thought and a sense of consciousness of oneself. I want people to feel, not just view, and be inspired to express themselves through creativity.”
For Ethereal, three artists were prompted to execute what “ethereal” meant to them. This resulted in a body of work expressing a contemporary view on what the concept of ethereal art can be. Artists: Ben Kaiser, Lucy Gafford, and Vanessa Quintana drew inspirations from researching world religions, pantheons, creatures of myths, folklore, and exploring different concepts on how ethereal could be viewed.
“To me, for something to reach the status of ethereal, it has gone beyond this world’s standards. It has become a heavenly or spiritual wonder, and with this show, I hope we have created just that. I wanted my work to not only depict figures of a certain renown, but I wanted to capture a sense of delicate beauty. My goal was to show a unique refinement blending flat two-dimensional design and three-dimensional rendering. I also took inspiration from art nouveau styling and stained-glass artistry to give some pieces a more religious art feel. Oil painting is my primary focus and I paint by slowly glazing multiple layers of colors, one by one until the piece not only expresses the emotion I want to convey, but the saturation begins to illuminate drawing the viewer in.” – Ben Kaiser
“My focus for ‘Ethereal’ is on the spiritual and unworldly. My works feature familiar patterns and imagery with a personal twist – embodying my own dreams, interests, and experiences. I believe the closest thing on earth comparable to the heavens is being surrounded by nature’s splendor, and that is a constant throughout each piece.” – Lucy Gafford
“I would describe ethereal as being spiritual or heavenly, intangible, and otherworldly, while having a connection to tangible, natural forms or concepts. It could be celestial, mythical, or debatably real while possessing mystical qualities. My pieces for this show were influenced by religion, folklore, philosophy, and science and how they all tap into the realm of the ethereal, posing the questions: what is fact, what is unknown, and how is it perceived based on each individual’s perspective? My work also presents the pantheistic view that all things are divinely and infinitely connected. The lines blending differing forms are blurred and transformative, representing the link between all things natural in seemingly unnatural ways.” – Vanessa Quintana
These exhibitions will be featured in the MAC Gallery through June 29th, 2024. Please contact Sydney Cramer at scramer@mobilearts.org for information.
Stop by MAC’s Gallery @ Room 1927 to shop in our gallery gift shop and to see our newest exhibitions, Light by The Ginger Woechan Experience & Mobile Art Association’s Annual Spring Show.
The inspiration for Light is a combination of the artist’s journey out of the darkness. This includes things, memories, and daydreams that give her so much inner happiness. Throughout her inner quest, Ginger has found herself always painting and loving Mobile. Mobile has shown her a lot of love that has lit the way, for which she is forever grateful. Light is a representation of love, sadness, music, and whimsical dreams. This multi-media show carries tunes and inspiration over many surfaces and techniques. This body of work is created under the tail of becoming a Reiki master and Light worker. “I hope that my inner light shines through this collection of art and inspires you to not only light your love, but to love your light.” Ginger Woechan is a professional artist, art instructor and therapist, muralist, live painter and contemporary artist, reiki practitioner, and the dancing queen of Mobile. Having grown up around her artist mother and great grandfather, Ginger has always felt like she was raised to be an artist. Her style is heavily influenced by the Impressionist movement, specifically Van Gogh. Ginger’s two main styles are either utilizing a palette knife or paint brush to make her creations really come to life.
Mobile Art Association (MAA) is the ideal organization for amateur and professional artists. With over 100 members, MAA provides numerous opportunities to network with and learn from fellow artists. A long-standing group, it was first organized on February 24th, 1943. One of two exhibits held annually, this Spring Show is a “Member’s Only” exhibit. Artist members, both long-active and new, present 40 delightful works for this judged show. This Spring Show’s judge is Karen Philpott, a nationally recognized painter formerly from the Nashville area. This year there are nine financial awards to be made with the “Best in Show” award sponsored by Greer’s Markets. MAA hosts meetings as opportunities to network with other artists and gather practical information and inspiration. Two or more exhibits each year give artists exposure to the broader community, and volunteer projects with other arts organizations support various art initiatives in the community. Meetings are on the third Sunday of each month, from September through May, at the Springhill Presbyterian Church.
These exhibitions will be featured in the MAC Gallery through May 31st, 2024. Please contact Sydney Cramer at scramer@mobilearts.org for information.
Stop by MAC’s Gallery @ Room 1927 to shop in our gallery gift shop and to see our newest exhibition, the FIVE Show. The April exhibition series is sponsored by the Mobile International Airport and will be featured in the MAC Gallery through April 30th, 2024.
“Five” is a biennial juried exhibition of work by students from the area’s five colleges and universities. This exhibition gives young adults the opportunity to showcase their artwork in a professional venue, as well as a chance to meet other artists, win prizes, and gain public recognition. Entry is open to any student enrolled during the current academic year at Bishop State Community College, Coastal Alabama Community College, Spring Hill College, the University of Mobile, or the University of South Alabama. Students do NOT have to major in art or be taking art classes to participate.
This year, 47 student artists are displaying 75 pieces in varying mediums, including painting, drawing, ceramics, glass, and more.
There will be a special awards reception during Artwalk on April 12th at 7:00 p.m. Six prizes will be awarded: First, Second, and Third Place; and three Judge’s Choice. Thank you to Sophiella Gallery, Lupercalia Art Society, Ashland Gallery, and the Mobile Art Association for sponsoring this year’s prizes. Prizes include cash, MAC Memberships, Mobile Art Association Memberships, and gift cards from local businesses. Thank you to our judge, Adrienne Clow, for jurying the pieces that make up this exhibition, and thank you to all of the students and professors who make this wonderful competition possible!
This exhibition will be featured in the MAC Gallery through April 30th, 2024. Please contact Sydney Cramer at scramer@mobilearts.org for information.
Stop by MAC’s Gallery @ Room 1927 to shop in our gallery gift shop and to see two new exhibitions: For Lynda by Lynda Touart and Elevating Refugee Voices curated by Dwell Mobile & Alabama Folklife Association. These exhibitions will be featured in the MAC Gallery through March 30th, 2024.
Designed to elevate the lives and cultures of resettled refugees and to create exchange and connection among refugees and the broader community of Mobile, Alabama, Elevating Refugee Voices tells the stories of eight local refugee families through self-generated photography, children’s artwork, family portraits, and oral histories. Mobile takes pride in being a welcoming city for resettled refugees and other displaced individuals. They often arrive with minimal possessions and limited English. At best, they may know a few neighbors or acquaintances from their home country, but they are largely alone as they adapt to a new culture. These newer residents of Mobile often feel isolated and afraid. They’ve survived so much and want to take advantage of their opportunity. To support them, Dwell builds relationships between the people of Mobile and these refugees. Through our special events and regular programs, the Dwell family is there as they create a new home. Connect with Dwell Mobile to learn more about refugee resettlement in Mobile and how to get involved.
Lynda Touart, this year’s Arty Award recipient for Visual Artist, was a screen printer and darkroom technician as well as a painting and drawing instructor at USA and Faulkner State. She was a medical illustrator at the USA College of Medicine from 1991 – 2003. Lynda received her BFA from USA and MFA from Florida State University. She has been a member of the Watercolor and Graphic Arts Society of Mobile since 1991 and secretary since 1999. She has actively exhibited her works at local and regional art exhibits including Greater Gulf State Fair, Gulf ArtSpace in Fairhope, Center for the Living Arts in Mobile, the Eastern Shore Art Center Whiting Gallery in Fairhope and others. You can donate towards Lynda’s recovery from recent life-altering injuries here: https://lyndatouart.com/pleasehelp/
The Mobile Arts Council is pleased to host the 2024 District 1 Visual Arts Achievement Program and Young at Art! Those eligible for District 1 include public and private schools Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, and Washington counties. Every student who receives a District Award will be recognized in the State Awards from the Alabama State Council on the Arts online. Entry categories include craft, drawing, painting, photography/new media, printmaking, mixed media, and sculpture.
The Visual Arts Achievement Program provides opportunities for students in grades 6 through 12 to be recognized for their contributions to the visual arts at the local and state levels. Only one entry per individual student will be eligible. Teachers may submit up to 7 entries total. View the statewide schedule, including scholarship opportunities for students on ASCA’s website here. The District 1 juried exhibition will hang from February 3rd to February 25th.
Concurrently, Young at Art is for 5th grade students and below, and not included in the juried competition. This exhibit will be hung at JPAR Gulf Coast, located at 318 Dauphin St. Teachers working at one location/school may submit no more than 5 entries total, and teachers working at more than one location/school may submit up to 7 entries total. These entries must be equipped to hang (with a wire, sawtooth hanger, contact strips, or some other way that does not stick out of the top of the artwork). Unlike VAAP, this show is also open to private lesson teachers.
IMPORTANT DATES:
- Due to Mardi Gras parades, the gallery will close at 4:00 p.m. Thursday & Friday, February 8th & 9th, and remain closed through Tuesday, February 13th.
- The Region 1 awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 25th from 1 to 3 p.m. at the MAC gallery.
- The State awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 11th in Montgomery.
Contact Sydney Cramer at scramer@mobilearts.org or 251-432-9796 for more information. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday – Friday & 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday.
This October, MAC features 3 new exhibitions: Square in Mobile? You Must Be Kidding! from the American Society of Botanical Artists, Homage to Louise Estes, and Homage to Henry Evans. These exhibitions feature botanical art in various mediums from local, national, and international artists.
The American Society of Botanical Artists provides a thriving, interactive community dedicated to perpetuating the tradition and contemporary practice of botanical art. Square in Mobile? You Must Be Kidding! is a small works exhibition featuring 66 works from as many artists, and is open to all registered attendees of the 2023 ASBA Conference. Contemporary botanical art grows from long established traditions, integrating the history of art and the sciences of botany, horticulture, medicine and agriculture. Knowing this history adds to their pleasure in viewing botanical art today. As artists their vision is expanded, and skills enhanced by studying the work of their forebears. For observers and collectors, appreciation matures with a greater understanding of the traditions and evolution of the genre.
Louise Estes (1923-2017) was inspired by the beauty she found at Bellingrath Gardens and Home in the 1960’s and 70’s, where she meticulously recreated her favorite specimens of camellias, roses and other beautiful flowers in naturalistic watercolors. She painted more than 200 Bellingrath-inspired watercolors, many of which are on display at Bellingrath. Several of her works were featured on many of Bellingrath’s mailings. From her earliest years, she said, “I always loved to paint,” enrolling in art classes whenever she could. At age 16, she won a scholarship to study art in New York City at the Traphagen School of Fashion. In 1959, she and her husband, Bill, moved to Mobile from Opp, Ala. Her son, John, remembered accompanying her on her drives to Bellingrath, where he would explore the Gardens while she selected blooms to paint. “I remember being self-conscious” as his mother picked flowers, he said, even though she had permission to do so. Mrs. Estes’s naturalistic watercolors have been exhibited at the National Arboretum (Washington, D.C.), the Arboretum at Cheekwood (Nashville), Callaway Gardens (Pine Mountain, Ga.), Bellingrath Gardens and Home, and many other galleries, as well as by organizations including the Garden Writers of America, Men’s Garden Club of America, the American Rose Society, and the American Camellia Society. Two of her camellia watercolors hang in the State Dining Room of the Governor’s Mansion in Montgomery. In 2010, a selection of her paintings was exhibited at the Mobile Arts Council. Mrs. Estes’s painting of “Iris” was included in the 6th International Exhibition of Botanical Art and Illustration at the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation at the Carnegie Mellon University and remains in the permanent collection. In 1986, she was commissioned by the American Rose Foundation for a series of limited edition prints of her paintings of the “Dainty Bess,” “Touch of Class,” and “Europeana” roses. In 1992, the Mobile Rose Society dedicated its annual Rose Show to her. Mrs. Estes was also named the Official Artist of the World Rose Society and she has had an award-winning rose named for her. Mrs. Estes died on September 28, 2017, at the age of 94.
Henry Evans (1918-1990) began making botanical prints in 1958, depicting some 1400 subjects in 31 years. In that time, he was accorded more than 250 one-man shows in many countries around the word and, almost every state in the union. Admired by art lovers and naturalists alike, Henry’s work reveals a style intriguingly personal and botanically faithful, unerring in its feeling for rhythm and design. Self-taught as a printer, botanist and artist he developed a unique style and technique. He drew directly from living subjects, and all subjects were portrayed life-size. He used linoleum as a printing surface and an 1852 Washington Hand Press to make the prints. All of the work was done by hand. All of the materials that were used were of the best quality, and all of the editions were limited. Each linoleum-block print was numbered, dated and signed by the artist. After printing, the blocks were destroyed. Henry Evan’s linocuts are found in the great print collections of the Albertina in Vienna, the Library of Congress in Washington, and the New York Public Library, in various museums and libraries across the country, and in a number private collections in America and abroad. Henry Evans wrote and illustrated books and magazine articles, talked before groups both here and abroad on printmaking (including a stint of lectures for the State Department in Europe and the Middle East), and along with his wife Marsha, met the public in their galleries in the Napa Valley and San Francisco. From 1974, Marsha worked on shows and gallery arrangements and did most of the presswork on the prints. Henry selected the subjects, made the drawings, cut out the blocks and mixed the colors. It was, in the best sense, a husband-wife-team. Among numerous publications, the artist’s most important books and portfolios include The State of Flowers of the United States (1972); Botanical Prints: With Excerpts From the Artist’s Notebook (1977); and California Native Wild Flowers (1985). Some of the more notable exhibitions of Henry Evans’s prints have been held at the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation in Pittsburgh, the National Arboretum in Washington, Northwestern University at Evanston, The Royal Horticultural Society in London, the Field Museum in Chicago, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, McGill University in Montreal, the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, and the Los Angeles County Museum.
Special thanks to Dr. Todd Lassaigne, Executive Director of Bellingrath Gardens and Home for the generous loan of Louise Estes original drawings.
Special thanks to Dr. Bill Barrick, Executive Director Emeritus of Bellingrath Gardens and Home for the loan of Louise Estes Camellia prints and Henry Evans prints.
These exhibitions will hang in MAC’s Gallery @Room 1927 from October 5th through October 31st, 2023.
The 2023 Annual MAC Members’ Show features 69 artists in a variety of artistic mediums and styles representative of our area. Unlike our typical month-long exhibitions, this show will be featured in our gallery throughout the months of August and September! We will announce the awards, sponsored by the Dempsey & Litchfield Fund, on August 11th during LoDa ArtWalk.
Prizes for the MAC Members’ Show will be awarded as follows:
Best in Show – $500
2nd Place – $300
3rd Place – $250
Dempsey & Litchfield Award – painting, photography, or drawing specifically focused on the greater-Mobile area – $200
Members’ Choice Award – $150
Honorable Mention – $75
Honorable Mention – $75
Do not forget to cast your vote for the Members’ Choice Award! Each MAC Member is eligible for one vote. Voting concludes at midnight on Friday, September 1st. The winner will be announced on Friday, September 8th during LoDa ArtWalk. You MUST have an active Mobile Arts Council membership by September 1st for your vote to be eligible.
This year’s judge is Paulette Dove. Paulette received her B.FA. And M.Ed. from Miss. University for Women and William Carey College. Her Education included “Water Media Encounter at Louisiana Tech University, Savannah School of Art and Design, Mary Todd Bean workshop at the Bascom Museum in Highland, N.C. She has taught many years in Biloxi, West Virginia and Mississippi Gulf Coast College. Paulette has also served as an educator at the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art and Walter Anderson Museum of art in the past. Paulette prefers to work mostly in acrylic, mixed media and pottery. Paulette is a native Biloxian and has been painting and exhibiting on the gulf coast for many years. She is a member of the Ocean Springs Art Association the Singing River Art Association, President of the South Mississippi Art League and board member of Mississippi Art Colony. Her work has been displayed throughout the South. She currently works from her “Side Door Studio” located in Biloxi, MS. “…pattern and texture found in my work is meant to evoke images and thought of untold stories. I paint, literally and figurative from past experiences using symbols as central figures to create a common language…”
Participating artists include Amanda Youngblood, Amelia Weeks, Ana Gabriel Rel, Anna Cherry, Barbara Cobb, Barbara Spafford, Brian Tan, Bryant Whelan, Carol Wiggins, Carolyn Joseph, Cherrelle Jefferson Smith, Cheryl Nicholls, Christopher Murray, Crystal Jackson, Curtis Clark, Daniel Domenzain, Debbie Davis, Debi Parnell, Durand Seay, Elizabeth Brooks, Eric Achenbach, Eric Boone, Frank Ledbetter, Frank Vogtner, Freddie Blache, Ginger Woechan, Hazel Pitsios-Luther, Janie Brown Johnson, Jim Laugelli, JoAnn Cox, Joe Sims, Juli Day, Karen McGahagin, Karen House, Kathryn Sims, Kathryn Cariglino, Kathy Sowder, Katie Kaufman, Katie Thompson, Kay Spencer, Kelly Estle, Kimberly Zuckley, Kym Vanover Brown, Laurie Schaerer, Leslie Elmore, Louis Tooker, Lynne Weeks, Marty Graw, Mayssam Iskandar, Micah Mermilliod, Mike Carmichael, Mike Kittrell, Nancy Goodman, Philippe Oszuscik, Phyllis Henson, Ragan Windsor, Renee Wallace, Rudolph Villarreal, Savannah Mercer, Soynika Edwards-Bush, Susan Rouillier, Stephanie Bromley, Stephanie Zaputil, Steven Dark, Tarrell Portman, Tim Vaught, Ty Tover, Vernon Fowlkes, and Walter Dedrick.
The 2023 MAC Members’ Show will hang in MAC’s Gallery @Room 1927 from August 8th through September 30th.
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The Artys is an annual awards program that celebrates the important contributions that individuals, groups, and businesses make to the Mobile cultural community. Finalists have been announced in the remaining nine award categories, with winners to be announced live at the event.
Artys attendees will enjoy a night of celebration, complete with food, drinks and entertainment in many forms. A jazz trio comprised of John Milham, Chris Spies, and Chris Severin will play, with performances by Mobile Opera and Joe Jefferson Players throughout the ceremony.
Photo Gallery
