August 28–October 25, 2009

The Hill Collection

Sara May Love Gallery & Zoe Golloway Exhibit Hall
This exciting exhibition presents Vernacular artwork from the American South from the Collection of Lou and Calynne Hill. The exhibition features works by 14 artists including Thornton Dial Sr., Thornton Dial Jr., O.L. Samuels, Mary Proctor, Purvis Young, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, Joe Light, Mary T. Smith, Mose Tolliver, Ruby C. Williams, Edward Mumma, Johnnie Griner, Lonnie Holley, and Alyne Harris. The exhibition is centered around the work of Thornton Dial Sr., an artist featured in the 2007 PBS documentary entitled “Mr. Dial Has Something to Say”. His work has been exhibited at the American Folk Art Museum (NY, NY) and Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (Houston, TX). Right: Thornton Dial, Sr. Following Up the Dream, 1992, mixed media, 60x48 inches.

Vernacular art is a unique and powerful expression of culture and community, created by self-taught artists. Vernacular artists seem to be driven to create. Their idiosyncratic work is often created using recycled materials, of a style purely their own, and often makes use of symbolism from their immediate regional American cultures and more distant African cultural roots nationwide. Museums, galleries, and instructional institutions are increasingly recognizing the talent of vernacular artists and their value within the fabric of art history.

This exhibition will be accompanied by an exhibition catalogue, opening reception and gallery talk, preview party for sponsors and annual fund donors, guided group tours, Art as Recycling student juried exhibition, art collecting seminar, and family art workshop. Exhibition catalogues containing artist information, color images, educational activities and additional resources will be on sale for $5 at the Gadsden Arts Center.

GAC Artists Guild

Bates Community Gallery
Works of art by GAC Artists Guild members: Penny Anderson, Deborah Andrews, Wendy Devarieux, Dean Gioia, Joy Green, Ron Jones, Michele Tabor Kimbrough, Tamara Lee, Brenda Bethay Martin, William H. McKeown, John Metcalfe, donalee pond-Koenig, Robert DeWitt Smith, Cassie Tucker, Lynette Whaley, and Johnny Williams.