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 extended Virtual Gallery program, implemented during the 2020 quarantine, online here. 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.
2024 EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
Exhibition schedule is subject to change.*
CURRENT 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.
PAST EXHIBITIONS
This September, the Mobile Arts Council’s Gallery @ Room 1927 is hosting two new exhibitions. Viewpoints by the Azalea City Art Quilters features works from over 10 different art quilt collections completed by the group since 2020. The 2022 Throwdown Artists features works from this year’s 10th Annual Throwdown competitors – Mayssam Iskandar, John Halliday, Christopher Murray, Elizabeth Brooks, and Devontae Knight.
The Azalea City Art Quilters are a group of artists working in fabric, using quilting techniques to create original art quilts in a wide range of topics. They work on a number of projects every year ranging from large, collaborative quilts to smaller, individual ones. They use a variety of techniques and styles to create fun and unusual pieces. Employing a “no rules” philosophy, they enjoy expanding the viewer’s idea of what a quilt is.
In its 10th year, The Throwdown is the Mobile Arts Council’s largest annual fundraiser. Consisting partially of a live art competition, the five 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 off 2022 Throwdown champion. In conjunction with this fundraiser, we are highlighting our competing artists in the gallery throughout the month.
Both of these exhibitions will hang in the MAC Gallery @ Room 1927 through September 30th, 2022. Gallery hours are Tuesdays – Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The gallery will be closed for a private event on September 14th, 2022.
The 2022 Annual MAC Members’ Show features 53+ 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 12th 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
This year’s judge is Mattie Codling, the Director of Collections and Exhibitions at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art (WAMA) in Ocean Springs, MS. She has been a part of the WAMA staff since April 2016. Codling is responsible for exhibition research, development, and installation, as well as the care and promotion of the Museum’s permanent and loaned collections. Codling completed her undergraduate work at The University of Mississippi where she double majored in Art History and Anthropology. She received her master’s degree in Art History from Florida State University with a specialization in Museum Studies.
Participating artists include Eric Achenbach, Joanne Brandt, David Bridwell, Elizabeth Brooks, Clara Brunk, Paul Campbell, Mike Carmichael, Katie Chatham, Curtis Clark, Laura Compton, Steven Dark, Claire DeWitt, Diana Dyer, Chase Essary, Lucy Gafford, Nancy Goodman, Lana Hall, Tracy Hartley, Janet Hinton, Karen House, Patrick Hurley, Mayssam Iskandar, Carolyn Joseph, Janie Brown Johnson, Laura Jurjevich, Katie Kaufman, Mike Kittrell, Ruby Lange, Terry Lepre, Micah Mermilliod, Angela Montgomery, William Morris, Christopher Murray, Melvin Murrill, Michelle Pujols, Barbara Rettig, Rikki Rhodes, Morgan Rosenbohm, Durand Seay, Nikki Shaw, Laurie Schaerer, LeaAyn Shurley, Barbara Spafford, Kay Spencer, Emily Sommer, L A Stevens, Katie Thompson, Lynda Touart, Sally Adams Trufant, Liv Urbane, Renee Wallace, Lisa Warren, Lynne Weeks, Susan Wertelecki, Marnee Wiley, Bill Wooley, Amanda Youngblood, Stephanie Zaputil.
The 2022 MAC Members’ Show will hang in MAC’s Gallery @Room 1927 from July 6th, 2022 – August 31st, 2022. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
This June, MAC’s Gallery @ Room 1927 will host two new exhibitions: “Miniatures & More” by Roxann Dyess and “Urban Vibes,” a group exhibition by PleinAirSouth. “Miniatures & More” is a retrospective exhibition highlighting the life and legacy of Mobile artist Roxann Dyess, and “Urban Vibes” will showcase views of downtown Mobile by artists affilliated with PleinAirSouth. Both of these exhibitions will be on display in the MAC Gallery from June 4th – June 30th, 2022. A special reception will take place on ArtWalk night, June 10th, from 6 to 9 p.m. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Miniatures & More is a retrospective exhibition highlighting the life and artistic legacy of Roxann Dyess. Born on December 23, 1952, Roxann was and remains an important fixture in the arts scene of Mobile. She was an active member of the Mobile Art Association, Mobile Arts Council, and many other local and national arts organizations. Roxann worked in a variety of mediums including watercolor, oil, acrylic, doll house miniatures, Sumi-e, Zentangle, sculpture, and more. When she was not practicing her art, she worked for the Mobile Probate Court for 30 years before retiring as the County Elections Coordinator. She was also a very active participant with the Distinguished Young Women Program (DYW), formerly Junior Miss, serving as a hostess to the girls who would travel to Mobile for the national competition each summer. Roxann passed away due to complications from leukemia at 5:15 am, Friday, April 23rd, 2021. She died peacefully while holding the hand of her beloved husband, JD Dyess. She is survived by her parents, Bill and Mary Ross; her sister, Robin Ross; and her loving son, Todd Mathers. The Roxann Dyess Has-Been Spirit Award is a scholarship that has been set up for the DYW Program in Roxann’s honor. All proceeds from her exhibition will go to continue funding this scholarship. “Her friends were dear and devoted in many areas; church, work, the art world, and truly everyone she met. If you knew her, I share your loss and your grief. If you did not know her, I offer my sorrow for your loss.” – JD Dyess
PleinAirSouth is an informal group of local artists in the greater Mobile area who like to paint outside in the plein air tradition, “en plein air”. Any interested artist is invited to follow our Facebook page and participate in scheduled painting events. Artists may work in any number of different mediums, including watercolor, oil, acrylic, and pastel. Plein air paintings are often completed in a couple of hours. The challenge is to capture the light, colors, and shadows for a fresh look at the subject as the lighting and weather conditions are constantly changing. These quick paintings attempt to capture the spirit of the subject, and may serve as a study for future studio paintings or stand alone as a completed painting. PleinAirSouth artists have painted numerous locations in and around Mobile and the adjacent Gulf coastal areas. This exhibit focuses on the vibrant areas of downtown Mobile, as well as some of the older, less-explored areas in the urban environment. The exhibit includes studies completed on site, as well as studio pieces informed by on-site studies. “We hope you can sense the urban vibes when you view these portraits of the heart and soul of the city!” Artists participating in this exhibition include Gail Bramer, Joanne Brandt, Carolyn Greene, Tamara Lindsay, Sharon Martin, Missy Patrick, Melissa Root, and Myrna Salaun.
This May, MAC’s Gallery @ Room 1927 will host two new exhibitions: “Black Life in Mobile,” a community photovoice project presented by The Black Life, Arts, and Culture Coalition (BLACC) and the Mobile Art Association’s (MAA) “Annual Spring Members’ Show.” “Black Life in Mobile” sets out to answer the question, “What is Black Life in Mobile?”, and the “Annual Spring Members’ Show” will highlight the works of local artists affiliated with MAA. Both of these exhibitions will be on display in the MAC Gallery from May 5th – May 31st, 2022. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Black Life, Arts, and Culture Coalition (BLACC) invited Mobile’s communities to document the answer to the question, “What is Black Life in Mobile?” Artists were hired to go into recreation centers to place cameras into the hands of people across Mobile’s Black communities, educate and empower participants to visually answer the question through photography. The resulting photovoice project features over 200 images submitted by area residents. The goal of this project and the BLACC is to create greater representation and visibility for Black Culture, Heritage, and Community in Mobile.
The featured photographs and video are by Barja Wilson, McKenzie Reed, Ira Bates, Reginaldo Garcia, Vincent Lawson, Ransom Phelps, Torcivia Daniels, Jade Smythe, Donjoli Rowser, Sharonda Harris-Marshall, Linda Stevens, Charles E. Williams Sr., E.J. Wright, Fandoms Anonymous, Felicia Whittiker, Ashley Streeter, and Disrup Shun members Chelcee Minniefield, Jordan Price, and Roberta Richardson.
This project was created in collaboration with the Alabama Contemporary Art Center, City of Mobile Parks and Recreation, and Mobile Arts Council.
“Five” is a juried exhibition of work by students from the area’s five colleges and universities, sponsored every other year by the Mobile Arts Council (MAC). The 2022 exhibition will be displayed in MAC’s Gallery @ Room 1927 from Wednesday, April 6th through Friday, April 29th, with a reception and awards presentation during the LoDa ArtWalk on Friday, April 8th at 7:00 p.m.
The exhibition is open to any student – not only students studying art – enrolled during any part of the 2021 – 2022 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 could submit up to three pieces in any medium/style, created while enrolled in their current school. Students received a free, one-year MAC membership for applying, as well as cash prizes for the winners.
This year, we received 97 submissions from 34 students. Thank you to our judge, Valerie George, 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!
Congratulations to this year’s FIVE winners: Best of Show, Micah Mermilliod; Second Place, Summer Hill; Third Place, Leia Carter; Judge’s Choice, Chase Essary; Judge’s Choice, Peri Carr; and Judge’s Choice, Kennedy Sarrazin. Winners received cash, gift certificates, and other prizes for courtesy of Lupercalia Art Society, Sophiella Gallery, Mobile Art Association, Mobile Arts Council, and Ashland Gallery. See the winning entries below, and view photos of the exhibition on our April ArtWalk Facebook album.
This March, the Mobile Arts Council’s Gallery @ Room 1927 will feature three exhibitions: A Walk in the Woods by Wendy Allen, Wildlife Wedding Cakes by Nancy Milford, and the Fallen Bienville Oak Exhibition. Gallery Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays – Fridays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. These exhibitions will hang through Thursday, March 31st. The gallery will be closed Saturday, March 19th for a private Saenger event.
A Walk in the Woods showcases Wendy Allen’s love for the wildlife- especially the trees- that she has admired her entire life. Growing up in Mobile, Wendy’s youth was spent walking in tree-lined neighborhoods and school yards. The massive trees always seemed to be welcoming her with open arms, inviting her to climb up and see the world from the top. This fascination and love of trees has only grown stronger over the years. As a self-taught artist, Wendy’s road to painting has been a long time in coming. She grew up in a large family of creative siblings, who she greatly admired, but felt a little intimidated to join. She dabbled with drawing after her children were grown, continued painting with her grandchildren, and always was doodling in her journals. In 2015, Wendy, along with her siblings, produced an exhibit showcasing the diversity of art in their family with the Mobile Arts Council. In 2016, Wendy decided to make a grand tour, by car, around the country to see as many Champion trees as she could. She visited 13 states, traveled over 12,000 miles, and saw the most magnificent trees- the Oaks of South Carolina, the Cottonwoods of Utah, the Sycamores of Pennsylvania, and the Copper Beeches of Massachusetts, just to name a few. In 2017, she sold her home, bought a camper and truck, and took off with her dog, Shadow, heading out on the road again to experience the country. For the next three years Wendy would travel to New Mexico, Arizona, Virginia, Florida, and all points in between. “The diversity in my country is amazing, and that is how my paintings began to come together. Now in the 80th year of my life, I offer these diverse pieces showcasing my love of the forest, and all the creatures, especially my trees, that live there.”
Nancy Milford’s Wildlife Wedding Cakes celebrates wildlife, and what better way to celebrate than cake! Nancy grew up in Baldwin County, when porches were still made for sleeping, and picnic tables were for picking fresh bay crabs, corn, and beans. She is a self-taught artist currently pursuing dual degrees in art and pastry at Coastal Alabama Community College. She holds a B.S. in biology and a M.S in engineering. Her artwork predominately deals with nature themes and can be can be scientific or whimsical, depending on the goal of the specific art project. She is a member of the Mobile Arts Council and the American Society of Botanical Artists. Wildlife Wedding Cakes blends wildlife habitats and human celebration, representing the need to create better lives for all. This exhibition explores the beginning of commitment, love, and pro-creation, all necessary for the continuation of species. The idea for this exhibition occurred early in the pandemic when the world was still and silent, if only for a moment. “A bobcat felt free enough to make a curious appearance in my front yard. This encounter made me realize how wildlife lives in forced isolation based on humanity’s whims. With two years of my own Covid isolation, I have gained new empathy for the condition of our wildlife. Our coastal habitat is an intricate and delicate web of ecology that requires protection to minimize human impact on wildlife. This exhibition is my way to celebrate wildlife and honor their right to live less encumbered by human impact.”
In September of 2020, the Gulf Coast was ravaged by Hurricane Sally. While Mobile did not suffer the worst of the storm, nearly 20 of the historic Bienville Square oak trees fell to her devastating winds. Almost a year and a half later, pieces of these iconic oak trees are being given new life in the Mobile Arts Council Gallery @ Room 1927. Artists of varying backgrounds, art styles, and personal ties to Mobile claimed pieces of the fallen trees in early 2021, and are now returning them as fully realized pieces of art for the Fallen Bienville Oak Exhibition. From bowls to frames and beyond, almost 50 artists have assisted in redefining this tragedy into artistic triumph. While the oak trees may no longer be standing in Bienville Square, these works remind Mobilians of their rich history and the significance of the arts in our community.
Thank you to all of the participating artists: Paul Campbell, Chris Fayland, Brandon Fischer, Bradford Ladd, Michael Lenga, April Livingston, Charity Mason, Gary Mason, Andrew Mosley, Abe Partridge, Wanda Sullivan, Steven Reece, Fred Rettig, Ben Reynolds, Samantha Breland Savage, Kathleen Kirk Stoves, Renee Wallace, William Winston Whitfield, Amanda Youngblood, Azalea Home & Custom Furniture, and Delta Scott Woodworks.
This January, the Mobile Arts Council’s Gallery @ Room 1927 will feature two exhibitions: Carnival by Bill Woolley and Thrown Art by Steve Joynt. Gallery Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays – Fridays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. These exhibitions will hang through Friday, January 28th.
William Matthew Woolley, known to his friends as “Bill,” was born and reared in Memphis, Tennessee. Bill started his art career after high school, when he was awarded a scholarship to the Memphis Academy of Art. Bill has maintained his activity within the visual arts world by taking classes at VIA Community Center, being a member of the Mobile Arts Council– Carnival is his second exhibition with the organization, and, most recently, designing the window display in honor of Eugene Walter’s 100th birthday. Pieces from his first show with MAC are now in the permanent collection at the Louisiana Mardi Gras Museum in New Orleans. Bill’s ability to combine reality and fantasy is unique, with glimpses of wonderful humor as well. Carnival explores the wonderous and colorful world of puppets, ballet, court jesters, and more! His watercolor paintings offer a glimpse into Bill’s beautifully artistic mind, and his puppet creations, made in partnership with fellow artist, Lynne Weeks, bring about a sense of jollity with their unusual proportions and wonderfully humorous headdresses.
Like so many artists, Steve Joynt showed from an early age that there was art in him. When he was old enough, he took art lessons from an old lady who had a bunch of easels in her basement. Pastels, charcoal, watercolor, oil, he learned them all. By college, however, Steve set his sights on journalism – specifically newspapers – and creating art became something he did once in a great while. In all of that time, Steve felt he’d never actually found his artist’s voice, his style, if you will. All of that changed about 20 years ago, when he got the idea to take a partial mannequin he still had from his college days, paint it black, and glue Mardi Gras beads all over it. That’s how Thrown Art was born and how Steve came to actually think of himself as an artist for the first time in more than 25 years.
In December 2021, MAC featured a few versions of a familiar face. Showcasing artists from all over the country, MAC’s Gallery @ Room 1927 displayed five renditions of Hank Aaron at bat by the finalists from the Hall of Fame Courtyard. The courtyard also will include Mobile’s other baseball Hall of Famers: Willie McCovey, Satchel Paige, Billy Williams and Ozzie Smith, and the city’s only homegrown member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Robert Brazile Jr.
The five artists submitting proposals were whittled down from 13 who initially offered courtyard proposals shortly after the committee’s work began about eight months ago. Two of those artists are from Alabama and others are from Georgia, Michigan, and Idaho. Artists include Cory Swindle of Fairhope Foundry, Caleb Kola O’Conner & Chip Taylor of O’Connor Art Studios and Chip Taylor Fine Bronze Sculpting in Tuscaloosa, Vic McCallum of Highlander Studio in Georgia, Brett Grill of JBG Sculpture in Michigan, and Ben Victor of Ben Victor Studios in Idaho.
The five artists or teams of artists gave presentations to the Hall of Fame committee Friday, December 10th. The 13-member statue selection committee selected the winning artist, JBG Sculpture, after much consideration. The goal is to have the first statue finished and displayed in downtown Mobile in late Fall 2022, with the others delivered in 2023. These statues are a part of an initiative to highlight sports greats from Mobile while also providing more artistic opportunity for the city of Mobile. The Mobile Arts Council has served in an advisory capacity for this City of Mobile project and are looking forward to it coming to fruition in the upcoming years.
View images and additional information on the project on this al.com article here!
This November and December, the Mobile Arts Council’s Gallery @ Room 1927 will feature two exhibitions: The Flora-Bama Paintings by Pixie Alexander and the Bay Area Art Educator’s Annual Fall Exhibition. Gallery Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays – Fridays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. These exhibitions will hang through Friday, October 29th.
The Flora-Bama Paintings explores the way economic, sociological, and cultural distinctions express themselves in the landscapes that Pixie Alexander knew as a child. Pixie returned to the Gulf Coast in 2012 after 24 years in New York City. Her earliest years were spent studying and practicing art in various forms, with a particular commitment to painting, but when she arrived back in the South, it had been some time since she had kept a studio. Pixie was fresh out of a master’s program in urban planning at Columbia University when, upon graduating, felt that her young son needed her more than did the market for that kind of work. She took advantage of the sugar white beaches of the Florida panhandle, rededicated herself to painting, and launched into her first series, “Beach Paintings”. After a couple of years and a few road trips, she started her “West Alabama” series and the “Highway 98” series. Eventually, those separate categories were let go, and, as a group, Pixie now refers to them as the “Flora-Bama Paintings”. Fresh out of planning school Pixie had a new, heightened awareness of the way economic, sociological, and cultural distinctions expressed themselves in the landscape, and wanted to take this heightened awareness to the landscapes of her childhood while exploring them as a painter. “These paintings are important and special to me, and I am happy to show them on the Gulf Coast, where they were conceived. I thank the Mobile Arts Council and all who come to see them!”
The Bay Area Art Educator’s Annual Fall Exhibition will showcase artworks in a variety of mediums by students throughout the greater Mobile area. The Bay Area Art Educators (BAAE) are a regional group of the Alabama Art Education Association comprised of visual art teachers located in Southeast Alabama, primarily in Mobile and Baldwin counties. BAAE upholds and abides by the AAEA mission statement: “AAEA is a professional organization dedicated to the leadership opportunities, advocacy, professional development, and support for all visual arts educators in Alabama.” In addition to attending their annual state conference, throughout the year BAAE hosts local meetings and small professional development workshops for the visual arts in our region. Two regional art shows are organized each year in which they feature their students’ artwork from their schools and communities. Anyone who teaches, has taught, is interested in teaching art, and/or is an artist and interested in supporting arts education in our communities is invited to join their group and to also join AAEA.
This October, MAC’s Gallery @ Room 1927 will feature two exhibitions: “A Celebration of Hispanic Artists” and “Furnishing America – The Ages of Quality Craftsmanship.” Gallery Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays – Fridays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. These exhibitions will hang through Friday, October 29th.
In conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month, we will be featuring “A Celebration of Hispanic Artists” with recent photographs by Daniel Domenzain (pictured) and works on paper by Alma Hoffmann. This exhibition is marked by the bold use of color and drastic contrast in both artists’ compositions, which will be arranged together in the front portion of the gallery.
We will also feature “Furnishing America – The Ages of Quality Craftsmanship” by the Society of American Period Furniture Makers, Gulf States Chapter.The Society of American Period Furniture Makers, (SAPFM), is a non-profit organization whose mission is to further the understanding and appreciation of American “Period” furniture, its history, and to teach the methods of how it was made.The organization’s focus is on making historic furniture reproductions. They offer classes for those interested in learning woodworking techniques, design, restoration, and the history of this craft.The Gulf States Chapter brings the benefits of the SAPFM to the Central Gulf Region of the United States. The group’s “Furnishing America – The Ages of Quality Craftmanship” will feature a variety of pieces made by the group, as well as live woodworking demonstrations. Representatives will be available to answer any questions throughout ArtWalk night!