Selections from the Gadsden Arts Center Permanent Collection:
Watercolors by Thornton Dial, Sr. and Suzanna Winton
February –April 27, 2013
2nd floor galleries

On display are four watercolors by Thornton Dial Sr. and one watercolor painting by Suzanna Winton, all from the Gadsden Arts Center Permanent Collection. Thornton Dial Sr. was born in 1928 in Emelle, Alabama. Instead of going to school, Dial snuck off to work different odd jobs including carpenter, house painter, cement mixer, and ironworker. The artist says he learned about drawing from his job at Pullman factory, studying designs for the steel machines, and after his retirement, he concentrated on his artwork. Dial says he was always making art and expressing his ideas; however, he didn’t know it was art until he met Will Arnett in 1987. Arnett is an art dealer and collector from Atlanta, GA who travels throughout the southeast meeting and discovering artists like Thornton Dial. This type of art, known as self-taught, folk art, outsider art, or vernacular was unknown to the larger art community. Although Thornton Dial is now in his 80s, he still creates large sculptural paintings and draws works on paper continuously. In 2011, the Indianapolis Museum of Art revealed a new traveling retrospective of Dial’s work: Hard Truths: The Art of Thornton Dial, which is traveling throughout the southeast. Click here to learn more about Thornton Dial Sr.

Suzanna Winton has been studying and painting faces since 1994. Her work captures the personality and history of each of her subjects. She specializes in watercolor and practices her art daily. She has also received more than 30 awards throughout her painting career and now lives in Thomasville, GA. A core component of her style is the way she captures the expression and skin tones of each subject. She says of her work, “itʼs important that you scrutinize your subjectʼs complexion, including the true tones, expression, and texture of human skin.” Right: Suzanna Winton, Haitian Hat Man, 2000, watercolor, 22” x 14 1⁄2” Gift of Julia Munroe Woodward, 2006

Virginia Coultas's Children: My Special Joy

August 2–October 5, 2013

Bates Children's Gallery, 2nd floor

Virginia (Ginny) Coultas has been drawing and painting her entire life and she especially likes doing portraits. She is fascinated by portraits. This exhibition includes some of the many children's portraits Ginny has created over the years- as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and teacher. Several of the portraits are of children Ginny met while traveling in Africa, Souther America, and Cuba. Right: Virginia Coultas, Child- Belize, 2012, oil.

GAC Artists Guild Exhibitions

Bates Community Room Gallery
2nd floor
February 9 - April 27, 2013

On view in the Bates Community Room Gallery is work by the following Artists Guild members: Susan Allen, Jeanne C. Alderson, Edward Babcock, Randy Brienen, Debra Brienen, Jennifer Clinard, Virginia Coultas, Elizabeth Diaz, Sue Ellen Knowles, Janice "Ecinja" McCaskill, Bettsy Mitchell, Linda Pelc, Gale Poteat, Jill Quadagno, Eluster Richardson, David Schuhart, Cheri Sepesy, Vera Sorensen, and Susanne Taranto. Right: Vera Sorensen, Still Life, oil on canvas.

Artists Guild Cafe Gallery
9 N. Madison St.
February 9 - April 27, 2013

On view in the Artists Guild Cafe Gallery artwork by the following Artists Guild members: Wendy Devarieux, Rick Ferrall, Joy A. Green, June Hajos, Michele Tabor Kimbrough, Jana Kiwala, Jean Marani, William H. McKeown, Kent Putnam, Susan L. Richardson, Chuck Stannard, and Mary C. Transou. 

25th Art in Gadsden: Regional Exhibition of Fine Art
October 25–December 21, 2013
1st floor galleries

On Friday October 25th, 2013, the Gadsden Arts Center will open the 25th Art in Gadsden Exhibition, the Center’s only annual tradition and a juried signature exhibition of fine art. The exhibition will represents over 75 local and regional artists, and the artwork included will range from watercolor, oil, and acrylic paintings, drawings with pen and ink, sculptures created from wood, glass and bronze, and photographs and digital illustrations.

The Art in Gadsden exhibition was the foundation for the Gadsden Art Center. The founders of the Art in Gadsden exhibition, Beth Appleton and David Harbaugh, wanted to bring fine art to Gadsden County, foster the careers local artists and draw the community together through this special event. Beginning in 1989, Art in Gadsden was displayed in empty downtown store fronts in Quincy, all put together and organized by a dedicated and all volunteer community.

Right: 2012 Best in Show Award Winner: Nan Liu, Between Classes, oil on canvas

ARTISTS: Applications for the 25th Art in Gadsden exhibition will be mailed out, and available online, beginning June 1, 2013. If you would like to be added to mailing list, please contact curator Angie Barry, 850.627.5021.

Artists Guild Exhibitions

Bates Community Room Gallery, 2nd floor
November 16, 2012–January 26, 2013
View artwork by Artists Guild members: Penny G. Anderson, Julie Baroody, Matthew Brady, Linda Clark, Wendy Devarieux, Richard Ferrall, Marguerite Foxon, Suzanne Gilliard, Joy A. Green, June Hajos, Michele Tabor Kimbrough, Jean Marani, Brenda Bethay Martin, William H. McKeown, Kent Putnam, Susan L. Richardson, Robert DeWitt Smith, Joel Thornton, and Mary C. Transou. Right: Susan L. Richardson, Off Road Vehicle, oil.

Artists Guild Gallery, next door to the Center (open Tuesday-Friday 10am-3pm)
November 16, 2012–January 26, 2013
View artwork by Artists Guild members: Jeanne C. Alderson, Mary Apple, Virginia L. Coultas, Elizabeth Diaz, Don Green, Sue Ellen Knowles, Gale Poteat, Jill Quadagno, Cheri Sepesy, Vera Sorensen, Susanne Taranto, and Irma Vergara. Right: Gale Poteat, Honey Pot, watercolor.

Ben Bivins: Bound and Unfettered

August 17–November 3, 2012
Zoe Golloway Exhibit Hall

An exhibition of work by artist Ben Bivins, showcasing the complexities of life through the eyes of the artist. Through a range of styles and mediums, from realism to abstraction to the non-objective, Bivins explores the search and struggles of life. Right: Ben Bivins, Auto-Glyph.

Inside/Out
cut-paper assemblages by Beth Appleton and large-scale metal sculpture by Deborah LaGrasse

August 17–November 3, 2012
Sara May Love Gallery

Beth Appleton was the first artist to exhibit work in Gadsden Arts’ current building, and 12 years later returns with all new, never-before exhibited, abstract landscapes. Appleton’s work often reveals the combination of her Florida background with design elements influenced by the Southwest in addition to the brilliant color and vitality of the Caribbean and Central America. Right: Beth Appleton, Aquatica, 2011, watercolor/cut-paper assemblage.



Exhibiting alongside Appleton is Deborah LaGrasse, showcasing her large-scale media media sculptures. LaGrasse combines various materials and processes to help her “define the mystery, strength, and power of the human spirit”. Left: Deborah LaGrasse, SHE, the Sign of Sagacity, bronze, brass, powder coated steel.

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2012 Out of Pocket: small art exhibition
2nd floor galleries
November 16, 2012–January 26, 2013

Don't miss the always fun OUT OF POCKET: small art exhibition, opening in conjunction with the 24th Art in Gadsden Juried Exhibition of Fine Art. The concept for the exhibition is to showcase artists’ works created on a smaller scale or with less expensive materials so that they may be affordably priced, less than $250, and thus accessible to a broader audience. 

Artists participating in this exhibition: Penny G. Anderson, Natalia Andreeva, Lorraine Clark, Virginia Coultas, Wendy Devarieux, Elizabeth Diaz, Bill Humphries, Nancy Juster Johnson, Karen Joslin, Deitra D. Kemmer, Michele Tabor Kimbrough, Jennifer Lowery, Mandem, Pattie Maney, Janice "Ecinja" McCaskill, William H. McKeown, Leslie Parker, Jill Quadagno, Susan Richardson, Susanne Taranto, Jan Taylor, and Mary C. Transou.

Questions? Call (850) 627-5021 or email Curator Angie Barry

36th Southern Watercolor Society Annual Juried Exhibition
Sara May Love and Zoe Golloway Exhibit Hall Galleries
February 8- April 27, 2013

Opening Night: February 8th, 6-9pm (6:30pm presentation, 7-9pm reception)

The Southern Watercolor Society, founded in 1975, is a non-profit corporation formed to elevate the stature of watercolor and educate the public to the significance of watercolor as an important creative permanent painting medium. The corporation is dedicated to the highest aesthetic standards. It is the aim of the organization to further the interests of painters in watercolor/ watermedia by its programs and competitive exhibits, and to encourage the study of watercolor by art students and others engaged in watercolor painting. Right: Lemons and Limes in a Glass Bowl by Chris Krupinski (Fairfax, VA).


Mary Ann Beckwith Workshop: The Brush & Beyond at the Gadsden Arts Center: February 4–7, 2013. Download the Workshop Registration Form.

A Portrait of Historic Gadsden County, Florida Exhibition

Sara May Love Gallery
May 10-July 13, 2013

In 2010, the Gadsden Arts Center formed a committee to begin developing an exhibition of artwork representing Gadsden County, Florida. The exhibitionʼs theme is “representing selected Gadsden County history through visual art”. In light of Gadsden Countyʼs extensive and rich history, the Gadsden Arts Center aims to represent a cross-section of the history of the county through original artwork and selected artifacts borrowed from local collectors.

Artists working today will also be invited to create new artwork representing Gadsden County to exhibit alongside the borrowed artwork and artifacts. By including artwork from contemporary artists, visitors can view art created in various time periods, as well as purchase artwork capturing our history.

The Gadsden Arts Center seeks artwork and artifacts from all the unique areas of Gadsden County and hopes to include representations of each community in this exhibition. 

Please help with this important historical project by referring local collectors to our committee co-chairs and staff.
Committee Co-chairs: William H. McKeown and Dawn McMillan; Curator: Angie Barry, 627-5021 or angie.barry@gadsdenarts.org

Permanent Collection Exhibition
On display through July 28, 2012

The Gadsden Arts Center began collecting artwork for its Permanent Collection in the year 2000 after moving into the Bell & Bates Hardware Building. Today, the Center owns 51 works of art from 30 artists mainly from the Southeastern United States. Throughout the year, the Gadsden Arts Center exhibits selections from its Collection on a rotating schedule in the Bates Gallery on the 2nd floor. 

Currently on display are three sculptures from the Center's Vernacular Art Collection, never before exhibited at the Gadsden Arts Center. The first is a totem-like sculpture by Hawkins Bolden (1914-2005), shown right. Hawkins Bolden was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and at age eight suffered a debilitating blow to the head, which later caused him to go blind. In spite of his disability, the artist was able to create his large-scale assemblages without difficulty. Bolden lived in the same small house in his hometown for over 70 years in a neighborhood where he collected objects for his sculptures. Calling his totem-like sculptures “scarecrows”, Bolden filled his yard with his creations to keep birds out of his garden.

The wall-relief sculpture to the left was constructed out of mixture of sawdust and glue, a concoction developed by the artist, Archie Byron (1928-2005). Archie Byron was from Atlanta, Georgia, and lived in one of its poorest districts. After serving in the Navy, working as a bricklayer, working for the sheriff’s department and owning several private businesses, Bryon owned a gun shop where inspiration struck him to begin creating art. He first began assembling sculptures from tree roots, and in 1977 he created his own sculptural medium from sawdust and glue. Bryon also served as a city-councilman in Atlanta for 9 years. For the last 15 years of his life, the artist worked exclusively on his art, creating almost life-size figures from his sawdust medium, and using his art to comment on various social and political subjects.

The small root sculpture (right) on display is typical of the fantastical creations constructed by Bessie Harvey (1929-1994). Bessie Harvey always felt a deep spiritual connection to the trees and plants around her, and as a young girl she made statues out of tree roots, calling them “little creatures”. She continued creating sculptures from found objects the rest of her life, and considered her art making a form of comfort.  Growing up in a difficult family situation, and dropping out of school after the 4th grade, Harvey made a living cleaning houses and working as an aide in a hospital. She married at age 14 and had 11 children who she struggled to care for. Harvey had strong religious convictions and believed she was not an artist, but God was working through her to create her sculptures.

To learn more, visit the Gadsden Arts Center Permanent Collection.

Gadsden Arts Center Artists Guild Exhibitions

Artwork by members of the Gadsden Arts Center Artists Guild is displayed at the Gadsden Arts Center and the Mainstreet Café Gallery year-round. Visit Artists Guild, for more information about the GAC Artists Guild membership.

The following exhibitions will be on display through November 3, 2012:

Bates Community Room Gallery, 2nd floor
Gallery open: Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm
Artwork by a selection of Artists Guild members: Jeanne C. Alderson, Mary Apple, Edward Babcock, Jennifer Clinard, Virginia L. Coultas, Elizabeth Diaz, Donald Green, Sue Ellen Knowles, Janice "Ecinja" McCaskill, Bettsy Mitchell, Linda Pelc, Jill Quadagno, Eluster Richardson, Cheryl Sattler, David Schuhart, Vera Sorensen, and Susanne Taranto. Right: Elizabeth Diaz, Autumn Lakehouse, acrylic.

Mainstreet Cafe Gallery, next door to the Gadsden Arts Center
Gallery open: Monday–Saturday, 10am–3pm
You can see artwork by the following Artists Guild members: Penny G. Anderson, Linda Clark, Wendy Devarieux, Kelly Duncan, Richard Ferrall, Richard Ferrall, Marguerite Foxon, Suzanne Gilliard, Joy A. Green, June Hajos, Michele Tabor Kimbrough, Jean Marani, William H. McKeown, Michael Parramore, Kent Putnam, Robert DeWitt Smith, Mary C. Transou, and Nancy Van Landingham.

Visit the Artists Guild page to learn more!

Tallahassee Watercolor Society’s
2012 Brush Strokes 
Annual Members' Juried Water Media Exhibition

August 17–November 3, 2012
2nd Floor Galleries

The annual members’ juried water media exhibition of the Tallahassee Watercolor Society 180-member organization will open on August 17, 2012. The juror for this year's Brush Strokes exhibition is the Director of the 1020 Gallery in Tallahassee, Majken Peterzén. The Tallahassee Watercolor Society's mission is to promote the fine art of watercolor painting in Tallahassee and its surrounding communities in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.

The artists accepted into the 2012 Brush Strokes exhibition are: Susan Allen, Penny G. Anderson, Nancy Banks, Frank Bolock, Ruth Draper, John Felton, Russell Fryar, Harold Griner, Marina Haldas, Michele Tabor Kimbrough, Sue Ellen Knowles, Glen McCafferty, William H. McKeown, Dean Mitchell, Deborah Morningstar, Yoshiko Murdick, Michael Parramore, Ann Pearce, Linda Pelc, Nathaniel Pye, Eluster Richardson, Lee Smith Albion, Janis Spitzer, Susanne Taranto, Don Taylor, Tanya Toole, Cassie Tucker, and Irma Vergara.

Right: Quiet Moment by Nancy Banks 

Harold Griner, Joy in the Morning

John Felton, Carol

Eluster Richardson, Gifted

William Hugh (Bill) McKeown, The Teacher

Dean Mitchell, Living on the Streets

Lee Smith Albion, The Fair

Susanne Taranto, Whoops

Don Taylor, Short Order

Cassie Tucker, Climbing on Rainbows

Irma Vergara, Can you See Me Now?

Deborah Morningstar, Exuberance

Michael Parramore, Almost Home

24th Art in Gadsden Regional Exhibition of Fine Art

November 16, 2012–January 26, 2013
Sara May Love Gallery and Zoe Golloway Exhibit Hall

This November, the Gadsden Arts Center will open the 24th Art in Gadsden Exhibition, the Center’s only annual tradition and a juried signature exhibition of fine art. The exhibition represents almost 100 local and regional artists, and the artwork included ranges from watercolor, oil, and acrylic paintings, drawings with pen and ink, sculptures created from wood, glass or found objects, and photographs and digital illustrations. Right: 24th Art in Gadsden Poster Image: Robert DeWitt Smith, Gladiola Planting Time, oil on canvas.

This year's juror is Kristen Miller Zohn, the Curator of Collections and Exhibitions for the Columbus Museum, Columbus, Georgia. Ms. Zohn has an MA in art history from Florida State University and a BA in Art History from Salem College. Her previous work was with Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, Reynolda House Museum of American Art, and Albany Museum of Art in Georgia. Ms. Miller Zohn served as Curator of Education at the Columbus Museum for six years before moving to her current position in 2007. Since that time, she has overseen the reinstallation of the Museum’s permanent art collection and has curated exhibitions on architecture, silver, photography, and portraiture. Ms. Miller Zohn is the Immediate Past President of the Southeastern Museums Conference and has been a council member for 10 years. She has also acted as a guest juror for several exhibitions and has been an adjunct professor of art history at four institutions in Georgia. She is a frequent lecturer on portraiture and decorative arts of the nineteenth century. 

Applications to apply to the 24th Art in Gadsden Exhibition were due August 31st.  For more information, click on the button below or contact Curator Angie Barry. 

Natalia Andreeva: 
Scenes from Nature
August 2–October 5, 2013
Zoe Golloway Exhibit Hall

Natalia Andreeva emerged as an artist from the rich and fertile artistic climate of Novosibirsk, in Siberia after graduating from its most prestigious art college. During her classical education in the canons of European art she was greatly influenced by eastern philosophy. Andreeva now resides in Tallahassee, Florida. Scenes from Nature is an exhibition that resulted from the artist's travels from the harsh winters of Siberia to the hot and humid summers of Florida. Right: Natalia Andreeva, Sunny, oil on canvas.