2006 Shoals Arts News and Events Archive

7.1.06 - Birmingham author, Rosalie Turner, to visit the Shoals for book signings, date TBD. Freedom Bound is a historical fiction based on the true story of Anna Kingsley. She was born an African princess in 1793, captured at the age of thirteen, and sold as a slave to wealthy Spanish East Floridian, Zephaniah Kingsley. She had four children by him, ran his plantation, and was introduced as his wife. She finally gained her freedom to become a woman of property and influence, with slaves of her own. FREEDOM BOUND tells how this woman of strength survived losing everything a total of five times in her life. Rosalie Turner's award-winning historical fiction, Freedom Bound will soon be available in book stores. Read reviews, including a review from former Mississippi governor William F. Winter, William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, at the Freedom Bound Website.

1.27.06 - One Paper features First Fridays as the cover story. "First Fridays flower in Florence". Although the flowering of Florence, Alabama, as a mecca of the arts may never approach that of its famous namesake in Italy, the city's monthly arts nights have inspired a regional renaissance of sorts... Click here to read the full article

2005 Shoals Arts News and Events Archive

12.2.05 - LSU School of Art call for entries. DEBRIS is primarily intended as an opportunity for Gulf Coast artists to express their feelings and to showcase their work in the aftermath of Katrina and Rita. Art has a unique power to transform fragments, both material and psychological, into something profound and beautiful. The concept behind DEBRIS is to present art as a life-affirming force even in the face of disaster. Cash prizes will be awarded. The regional juried art exhibition will be held at the Louisiana State University School of Art Alfred C. Glassell Jr. Exhibition Gallery in the Shaw Center for the Arts from February 24 to March 24, 2006. This exhibition is sponsored by Donald J. Boutte´ and Michael D. Robinson. There are cash prizes available for best in show. The deadline is coming up fast and we want to invite all gulf coast artists to participate.

Contact information:
Alfred C. Glassell Jr. Exhibition Gallery
Shaw Center for the Arts
100 Lafayette Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
Phone: 225-389-7180
Fax: 225-389-7185
Email: artgallery@lsu.edu

CAMPUS GALLERY
111 Foster Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Phone: 225-578-5402
Fax: 225-578-922
Email: artgallery@lsu.edu

11.17.05 - First Fridays and Festival of Lights Celebration combine on Dec 2 in Florence, Alabama to provide an enjoyable and entertaining experience with choirs caroling along the sidewalks, hand-bell choirs playing in the crisp night air, community groups and local musicians performing on this special evening. Many businesses will hold Open House this evening, stores will be staying open late, and the horse-drawn carriages will be providing rides, weather permitting. Artists will be displaying their works in shops and galleries along North Court Street. Come to Wilson Park at 8 pm and hear the Forest Hills Show Choir perform as the spectacular Christmas lighting is turned on. For more information, call (256) 760-9648.

9.26.05 - The Shoals Artists Guild meets at 10 am on the 3rd Friday of every month. The meeting location varies and is announced prior to each meeting. They offer workshops and demonstrations, friendly competitions between members, and participate in a number of local art shows including Arts Alive, a booth at the Renaissance Faire, the art exhibit at the North Alabama State Fair and of course their annual exhibit at the Kennedy-Douglas Center for the Arts. The guild also maintains an exhibit at Coffee Hospital. New members are placed with a host team; once a year each team shares the responsibility for presenting a program, coordinating a monthly exhibit, setting the location of a meeting, sending notice to the rest of the group, and providing snacks and drinks for the group. Membership in the group also includes a copy of the annual booklet, which features information about each member and details about the projects of the Shoals Artists Guild. The Shoals Artists Guild has a proud 53-year history of helping shoals artists to grow, exhibit and learn. Membership dues are $15.00 a year. Contact president Robin Roberts for more information: (256) 355-8443, or email at lroberts@hiwaay.net

9.20.05 - Join The Alabama Five (Tim Stevenson, Nancy O'Neal, Jerry Wylie, David Sims and Randal Holland) for a special event at Bill Shores Frames and Galleries in Chatanooga, TN on Sep 30th from 6:30pm to 8pm. The reception with the artists opens the show which will run through November 24th. For more information, visit www.billshoresframes.com.

9.3.05 - The second First Fridays event was even bigger and better! Hundreds gathered on Court Street to experience the arts of the Shoals. Music, paintings, sculptures, performances, crafts, and more were abundant throughout downtown Florence. Numerous merchants offered extended hours for those looking for bargains and specialty items. See the photos from the September First Fridays in Florence gathering and mark your calendars to attend October 7, 5pm to 8pm.

A special "Silent Art Auction" will take place with participating artists (look for a silent bid sign-up sheet at the individual booths and at the Lori Davis Gallery). All proceeds will go to the Hurricane Katrina emergency relief fund setup by the Southern Arts Federation and the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Distribution and decisions on the use of funds will be made by state arts agencies. Artists who would like to participate in the relief fund auction should contact Lori Davis by September 30th.

9.2.05 - Hurricane Relief Fund - What you can do to help artists and art organizations in the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans areas. Since last week we have become aware of a number of displaced artists and/or arts teachers who are (or will be soon) in Alabama looking for employment opportunities. With this in mind, we will attempt to act in a clearinghouse capacity regarding needs, opportunities and people with skills in limbo. So, if you have anything available or can think of a need that might be filled by an arts person relocating, please contact our office by phone, email, or FAX. We are currently gathering names, resumes and availability - Al Head, Executive Director
Email: staff@arts.alabama.gov
Phone: 334-242-4076
Fax: 334-240-3269
A. Letter from Al Head, Executive Director of Alabama State Council on the Arts.
B. Click here to read the Southern Arts Federation (SAF) Press Release
C. Download a SAF Hurricane Relief donation form (tax-deductible)

8.11.05 - The inaugural First Fridays in Florence was a wonderful success. Make plans to visit downtown Florence on September 2 to see even more artists and musicians. A perfect opportunity to find that art piece you've been looking for. Click here to view pictures from the event...

6.28.05 - ShoalsArtNetwork meeting, Thursday, June 30 - poolside at the Comfort Inn, Florence Blvd (Hwy 72) beside Logan's - visitors welcomed

6.27.05 - YART Sale held on Saturday July 2, for artists and art lovers! Click here to see pictures from the event...

6.22.05 - Shoals Art Network meeting at Lori Davis Gallery - Thursday, June 23 from 6:30pm - 8:30 pm, visitors welcomed

6.10.05 - Shoals Art Network weekly meetings begin at RiverTown Coffee Company, open attendance (pics)

6.6.05 - The Tennessee Valley Art Association Art Camp for Kids, July 11-15

5.25.05 - Artists, art lovers reflect on evolution of Shoals art scene

5.1.05 - Join the Shoals Art Network, it's free!