Permanent Collection Gift of Vernacular Art from Lou & Calynne Hill

In November, 2009, the Gadsden Arts Center received a generous gift to its Permanent Collection: 15 pieces of Vernacular art and 2 historically significant works from the prestigious collection of Lou and Calynne Hill. Ten of the sixteen works included in the gift were exhibited in the Vernacular Art from the Hill Collection exhibition on display at the Arts Center in fall 2009. Donated works include the infamous Godzilla sculpture by O.L. Samuels, four works by the nationally acclaimed artist, Thornton Dial, Sr., an early watercolor painting by Dean Mitchell, and a tapestry painting by Chief Oloruntoba.



In addition, Lou & Calynne Hill have loaned 15 works of art to the Arts Center and have scheduled the loan to be gifted to the Center in 2010.  The next gift includes works by Mose Tolliver, Henry Speller, Joe Light, Edward Mumma, Lonnie Holley and Ronald Lockett. By the end of 2010, the Gadsden Arts Center will steward a 33-piece collection of Vernacular art to package and travel to art museums around the country. Our sincere thanks to Lou and Calynne Hill for this generous contribution to our region’s cultural community! To learn more, visit our Collections page.

The Gadsden Arts Center announces a new Artists Co-op, providing artists a space to show and sell art work, and offering the public a wide range of original art for purchase at reasonable prices.  Fifteen artists from Tallahassee, Havana, and Quincy have already joined the Co-op, and are busy installing their first exhibitions of art. Co-op artists include Ed Babcock, Sherry Bailey, Roberta Burton, Sandra Childs, Shirley Dyal, Hamp Hutchinson, Benita Ingram, Joanne Ivey, Terri Lantz, Jean Marani, Brenda Martin, James Thigpen, William H. McKeown, Linda Pelc, and Nancy VanLandingham.

“This is a great step forward in our mission to serve the region’s artists”, said Curator of Exhibitions Angie Barry. “Serving artists, and bringing art to area residents and visitors, is what the Gadsden Arts Center is all about. This growth is very exciting, and wonderful to accomplish at a time when so many galleries are closing.”

The GAC Artists Co-op is located in the newly renovated Fletcher Building, 9 North Madison Street, adjacent to the original arts center on the South side. The Co-op shares this space with Miss Helen’s Espresso Café D’art, the new café and sandwich shop that opened in January and is already renowned for its delicious coffee drinks, chili, and Rueben sandwiches. Free group tours of the Gadsden Arts Center are available in conjunction with a luncheon and Co-op visit. Call 875-4866 to schedule your tour.

The Gadsden Arts Center is located at 13 N. Madison St., just 20 miles from downtown Tallahassee, and 10 miles from Tallahassee City limits. Gadsden Arts Center gallery and gift shop hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10am-5pm, and Sunday, 1-5pm. Hours for Miss Helen’s Espresso Café D’art and the GAC Artists Guild Co-op are Monday-Friday 9am-4pm, Friday and Saturday 11am-4pm. Group tours are available free of charge – call 875-4866 to make your reservation.