Community Gallery

Dates: June 4-29, 2018
Drawing by Melissa Tubbs and painting by Adam Underwood

This June, the Mobile Arts Council is hosting three unique exhibitions: ART from the HEART, an acrylic and mixed-media exhibition by self-taught artist James J. Austin; “Abstracts from the Air” by Adam Underwood; and Melissa Tubbs’ “Celebration & Preservation” – an Alabama 200 traveling exhibition featuring 25 detailed drawings of architecture in our state that have had a major role in its history.

The exhibitions will hang in our galleries from Monday, June 4, through Friday, June 29, with a reception during ArtWalk on Friday, June 8 between 6 – 9 PM. Gallery hours are 9 AM – 4 PM on weekdays and Saturdays during Market in the Park hours.

Dates: May 1-31, 2018
Painting by Lauren Nalty

This May, the Mobile Arts Council is hosting the “251 Art Teachers” exhibition – a group art show for anyone who shares their passion and love of art through teaching. Any Mobile-area teachers were eligible to enter, including those that teach at a school setting (public or private, college or university), workshops, classes, private lessons, and/or art camps.

Participating artists include Amanda Youngblood, Christy LeGros, Carol Wiggins, Brennan Gibson, Cat Pope, Lucy Gafford, Rikki Rhodes, Keith Wall, Rebecca Wright, Renee Grimes, Karin Marrero, Linda Duffis, Melissa Stuart, Rebecca Wright, Jeff Knighton, Anne Rose, Warren Jackson, Jason Outlaw, Ardith Goodwin, Steve Dark, Sharon Samples, Sharonda Harris-Marshall, Lisa Hancock, Catherine Helmsing, Corky Goldman, Nancy Barry, Julie Kogon, Janet Hinton, Mary Elizabeth Kimbrough, Alma Hoffmann, Ginger Woechan, Lauren Nalty, Sarah Gelsinger Brewer, Kathleen Kirk Stoves, Lydia Host, and Steve Strickland.

Dates: April 1-27, 2018

“5” is a juried exhibition of work by students at the area’s five colleges and universities, sponsored every other year by Mobile Arts Council (MAC). Entry was open to any student – not only students studying art – enrolled during any part of the 2017 -2018 academic year at Bishop State Community College, Coastal Alabama Community College, Spring Hill College, theUniversity of Mobile, or the The University of South Alabama.

From the 90 works submitted, Judge Wendy DesChene chose 60 pieces by 34 artists: 3 from Bishop State Community College, 10 from Coastal Alabama Community College, 6 from Spring Hill College, 3 from the University of Mobile, and 12 from the University of South Alabama.

The exhibition will hang in our galleries from Monday, April 2 through Friday, April 27, with a reception and awards ceremony during the LoDa ArtWalk on Friday, April 13 between 6 – 9 PM. Prizes (including cash and gift certificates) will be awarded the evening of the reception. Our gallery hours are 9 AM – 5 PM on weekdays, as well as weekends during SouthSounds Arts and Crafts Market and the Market in the Park hours.

We want to thank Ashland Gallery, the Mobile Art Association, and Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Mobile Historic District for sponsoring the 2018 exhibition.

Dates: March 1-31, 2018
Painting by Kristin Dunreath Harris

“Facets” is a new watercolor exhibition by Kristin Dunreath Harris. Kistin’s paintings are painstakingly detailed, capturing each faceted shape of every carefully drawn jewel – creating an illusion of reflection, depth, and a three-dimensional feel within her works. The transitions of soft and bold colors are pushed on a clay surface, bringing watercolor out from behind glass and allowing each piece to be closer to the eye of the viewer. Kristin is an illustrator and self taught watercolor artist based in Daphne, Alabama. With a BFA in Visual Arts from the University of South Alabama, her love for art transitioned her career to working full time on commissioned pieces out of her studio for clients all over the country. See Kristin’s works throughout the month of March during our gallery hours, between 9 AM – 5 PM on weekdays. Meet the artists on ArtWalk night, March 9, between 6 – 9 PM.

Dates: March 1-31, 2018
“Iguanians” by Joseph Smith

“HUMANIMAL” is a mixed-media exhibition of sculptures and paintings by Joseph Smith. His exhibition focuses on the relationship of humankind and animals, drawing parallels to the similarities in their characteristics. “Developing and expanding humankind is increasingly separating themselves from the animal world. Having spent many years rescuing injured wildlife, dogs from kill shelters and puppy mills, raising cattle and horses, and coming in close contact with many other species in what I call Animalia, I have been fortunate to have been able to notice that each and every animal I have ever touched has possessed its own distinct and unique personality apart from its species defined characteristics and instincts. My desire to acknowledge and learn more about personality as it related to species, I wondered about the possibilities of humans interacting to such a degree as to become a mindful part of the animal. Creating human figures with animal heads, more importantly minds, became further explored by forming human heads/minds on animal figures. If either of these were possible in the abstract sense and allowing the viewer to reflect on this concept, I believe a closer bond can be formed between humankind and the multitudes of animal species that have closely evolved together.” – Joseph Smith Smith resides in Lillian, Alabama by way of Oklahoma, California, Connecticut, and the South of France. He studied painting and sculpture at the California College of Art and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Art Center College of Design. An experienced stone and wood carver, welder, ceramicist and stone fabricator his sculptures, drawings and paintings have been shown in galleries in New York, Washington DC, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, California, Florida and New Mexico in the U.S. in Avignon, Les Baux de Provence, St. Remy de Provence, Remoulin and St. Sabastien in the South of France, Geneva and Zurich in Switzerland and Cologne, Germany. He has taught classes and workshops in sculpture techniques, drawing and painting. His works have been viewed in Art News, Art Forum, reviewed in The Washington Post and numerous local journals and newspapers in the U.S. as well as Southern France. He has won several awards for his work at juried exhibitions both here and in France. See Smith’s works throughout the month of March during our gallery hours, between 9 AM – 5 PM on weekdays. Meet the artists on ArtWalk night, March 9, between 6 – 9 PM.

Dates: March 1-31, 2018 
“Curious” Miniature Painting

The Spanish Moss Miniature Art Show is a national competition and sale, presented by the Alabama Miniature Art Society. The show features drawings and paintings from some of the top artists working in miniatures today, with no artwork larger than 25 square inches (5x5inches). This is the 10 year anniversary of this exhibition! See these artists works throughout the month of March during our gallery hours, between 9 AM – 5 PM on weekdays. Meet the artists on ArtWalk night, March 9, between 6 – 9 PM.

Dates: March 1-31, 2018
Painting by Melissa Dumas Diegan

The back half of the Skinny Gallery is devoted to a joint exhibition by local artists Melissa and Richard Diegan. Melissa Diegan is a painter whose colorful, abstract works reflect her own sense of spirituality and love of intuitive process in art. Alongside her paintings are the expressive assemblage pieces of Richard Diegan II, who writes of his work, “A composition of found items are included in my work which include wood furniture, plumbing and electrical parts, musical instruments, car parts, circuit boards, tools, historic items […] In all art, the whole must be greater than the sum of the parts, but in assemblage the challenge is more difficult since the parts have their own identities and implications.” See the Diegan’s works throughout the month of March during our gallery hours, between 9 AM – 5 PM on weekdays. Meet the artists on ArtWalk night, March 9, between 6 – 9 PM.

Dates: January 1-31, 2018 
Painting by Hunter Cobb

This January, the Small Room will feature “Downhome – A Portrait of the Small Southern Town”,  a new painting series by artist Hunter Cobb. Cobb says that the small Southern town has played an iconic role in American Culture. From “To Kill a Mockingbird” to “The Andy Griffith Show”, Southern towns have been cast as both sinister and idyllic. As always, the truth is somewhere in between. Having been a visitor and resident of many small towns over several decades, Cobb noticed certain similarities and patterns. “This exhibit is my attempt to distill these attributes into a gestalt that is The Small Southern Town.” Cobb’s childhood involved living in various locations in the U.S. and the world, as his father was a member of the Air Force.  He graduated high school in West Germany and attended the University of West Alabama. He moved to Mobile in 1992, and began a career in graphic design.  Several years ago he opted for a second career in software development.  He has been married to his wife and fellow artist for sixteen years.  Cobb has been an artist in residence at Innova Arts, Cathedral Square Gallery, Gallery 450, and Galeria Ltons in St. Augustine, Florida. He is a member of the Mobile Arts Council, Alabama Miniature Art Society, and is Second Vice President of Watercolor and Graphic Art Society. According to Cobb, “I enjoy creating works that evoke an emotional response in viewers.  Taking a moment in time and space and manipulating color and form conveys emotion, or I utilize symbolism to have an impact on the viewer.  Artists should not be limited to a certain style or technique so my works draw on both inner and outer visions and can range from realistic to semi-abstract.  These different methods allow me to convey different moods and ideas.”

Dates: January 1-31, 2018 
Photo by EJ Wright

This January, the Skinny Gallery will feature photography from members of the Camera South Photography Club. Camera South is a local photography group which provides its members an opportunity to exchange ideas, develop new skills, and learn more about the art of photography. For additional information on the club, email  info@camerasouth.org or visit their facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/camerasouth. The exhibition will be available to see from 9 – 5 on weekdays throughout the month of January. Meet the artists on ArtWalk night, January 12, from 6 – 9 PM.