Author: Kevin Ledgewood

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release                                            
The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa
Contact: Kevin Ledgewood
pr@tuscarts.org
205-758-5195, x6

ARTIST JOE MACGOWN FEATURED AT THE DINAH WASHINGTON CULTURAL ARTS CENTER IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER

(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa will host an exhibit by Mississippi artist Joe A. MacGown in The Arts Council Gallery at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center. Titled “Explorations of Alternate Realities,” the display will be available for viewing August 4 – September 14, 2023. The exhibit will open during the First Friday Art Walk on August 4 at 5 p.m. with the artist present with commentary about the exhibit. The display will be comprised of works in ink in both black & white and color that will be for sale. 

Joe A. MacGown is a Mississippi artist and naturalist who has been creating art for 50 plus years. He is known for his scientific illustrations and detailed chaotic assemblages of strange, mutated creatures, crowded surreal landscapes and mandala-like designs. Using imaginative imagery and random patterns, he produces detailed drawings and mixed media paintings by simply allowing ideas to flow out of his head using a method he describes as “Subconscious Meandering.” In addition to being an artist, MacGown worked as a research technician/scientific illustrator especially focused on ant research at the Mississippi Entomological Museum at Mississippi State University from 1988 until he retired in 2020. He later rejoined the museum on a part time basis to continue research on native and exotic ants. His scientific background has served as great inspiration for his surreal pieces of art.

MacGown’s works have been featured in books, magazines and other media and in numerous local and regional exhibitions as well international group shows in Dallas, TX; Chicago, IL; Memphis, Tenn.; San Francisco, CA; Washington D.C.; Australia; Colombia; Toronto, Canada; Great Britain; the Philippines; Moscow & St. Petersburg, Russia; Belgrade, Serbia; the Netherlands; Nepal; various venues in France; Dresden, Germany; Venice, Italy; Portugal; and other regions.

Over the last few years, the artist and his son, Joseph A. MacGown, have been creating an art compound called MacGown Art Retreat and Studio (MARS) on their property in the Sessums community, located 10 miles from the Mississippi State campus. A highlight of this endeavor is the MacGown Art “Artist-in-Residence” program, which pays a stipend for 2 to 4 visiting artists per year with funding from a local philanthropic arts organization called the Del Rendon Foundation. Artists stay in their guest cabin for 2 to 4 weeks while creating art and collaborating with the hosts in various ways.

Visit the artist’s site at http://joemacgown.com and his social media pages at www.facebook.com/MacGownArt and www.instagram.com/macgown_art/.

Gallery hours are weekdays 9 a.m.- noon and 1-4 p.m. For more information about The Arts Council Gallery, visit www.tuscarts.org.

The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center is located at 620 Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council, Bama Theatre or CAC, patrons should like the Facebook page “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” on Facebook and Instagram @tuscaloosaartscouncil. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release                                           
The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa
Contact: Reagan Fryer
cac@tuscarts.org
205-345-9801

THE ARTS COUNCIL OF TUSCALOOSA WILL HOST A FUN NIGHT OF ACRYLIC PAINTING AT THE DINAH WASHINGTON CULTURAL ARTS CENTER

(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa will present “A Toast to Summer: Acrylic Painting Night” on Thursday, July 20th, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center. Under the instruction of Mitchelle Jones, the one-night event will feature a fun-filled evening for those with no experience with a brush to experienced hobbyists.

A tropical scene of a beach, sunset, and palms will be the theme of the painting activity. Available to adults with a limit of 40 students, the registration fee is $40 with all supplies provided by the instructor. A cash bar with wine will be available for the evening.

To secure a spot, payment must be made by payment on Eventbrite.com. For more information and a registration link to secure a spot, visit https://tinyurl.com/paintatdwcac.

Mitchelle Jones is a graduate of Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Ala. With an Associate Degree in Drafting and Design in Architecture (ITT-Tech) and B.A. degree in Fine Arts, his creativity crosses various media such as painting, drawing, sculpture, computer design and music. Jones is a former teacher in the Birmingham City Schools and is now an art teacher in grades K-5 at The Alberta School of Performing Arts in Tuscaloosa. With his ability to create excitement and energy while in the classroom, the participants are in for a fun evening.

This event is brought to you by The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa. For more information about the class, email Reagan Fryer, Manager of the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, at cac@tuscarts.org.

The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center is located at 620 Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council, Bama Theatre or CAC, patrons should like the Facebook page “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” on Facebook and Instagram @tuscaloosaartscouncil. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release                                           
The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa
Contact: Kevin Ledgewood
pr@tuscarts.org
205-758-5195, x6

SCREENINGS IN THE BAMA ART HOUSE FILM SERIES SUMMER 2023 BEGIN JUNE 6

(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa’s Bama Art House Film Series Summer 2023 will take place in June and July and will feature five movies. Screenings will take place at the Bama Theatre on June 6-July 11 at 7:00 p.m. with no screening on Tuesday, July 4.

The theme of this summer’s series will be “Nostalgic Blockbusters.” This lineup from the 1970s-80s is a temporary change from our usual art house selection and is receiving positive responses from the community. Films were chosen based on their overall popularity during that time period and also the wide fan base they continue to attract.

Screenings begin at 7:00 p.m. with the doors, Box Office, and Bama Bar opening at 6:00 p.m. Admission is $10 general, $9 students and seniors and $8 Arts Council members. Season pass punch card tickets are $70, good for any ten films in any series. All tickets are for sale at the Box Office prior to each film.

Patrons can visit https://tuscarts.org to view the list of films, details and accompanying trailers.

June 6, 2023
JAWS (1975)
Rated PG | 2h 4min | Adventure/Mystery/Thriller
Synopsis: When a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Cape Cod, it’s up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.

June 13, 2023
The Goonies (1985)
Rated PG | 1h 54min | Adventure/Comedy/Family
Synopsis: A group of young misfits called The Goonies discover an ancient map and set out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate’s long-lost treasure.

June 20, 2023
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Rated PG | 1h 55min | Adventure/Family/Sci-Fi
Synopsis: A troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape from Earth and return to his home planet.

June 27, 2023
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Rated PG | 1h 55min | Adventure/Action
Synopsis: In 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.

July 11, 2023
Back to the Future (1985)
Rated PG | 1h 56min | Adventure/Comedy/Sci-Fi
Synopsis: Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.

The Bama Theatre is located at 600 Greensboro Avenue in Downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council or Bama Theatre, patrons should follow and like “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” on Facebook and Instagram @tuscaloosaartscouncil. Call 205-758-5195 or visit www.tuscarts.org for further information.

(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) “Westwood Art Month at the Bama” will take place April 26-May 5, 2023 and will feature the fine arts programs of Westwood Elementary. The annual event will include an exhibit of the students’ visual art in the Bama Theatre’s Junior League Gallery and the 16th annual Musical Extravaganza in the theatre on May 2. The events are sponsored by The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa, Westwood’s adopt-a-school partner.

The Musical Extravaganza will take place on May 2 at 7 p.m. on stage at the Bama Theatre. The Westwood Singers II (Grades 1-2) will perform musical selections, and the Westwood Singers (grades 3-4) will present “Songs from Around the World.” Over 60 students in grades one through four will participate in this production, with Aldis Donald conducting the choral ensembles. Admission to the musical is $1 for adults and teens and $1 for children twelve and under who are not performing on stage. Tickets will be available at the box office.

Art work created by students in grades K-4 will be displayed at the Bama’s Junior League Gallery April 26-May 4. All work is original and consists of drawing and painting. Awards for Best of Show, first, second, third and honorable mention will be presented in grades K-2 and 3-4. Admission to the exhibit is free. Gallery hours are weekdays 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. and also during Bama Theatre events. Enter the gallery through The Arts Council offices, located on the second floor of the PARA Building, if visiting during office hours.

The Arts Council is Westwood’s partner in the Tuscaloosa County Adopt-A-School program. For more information about the program, visit the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama at www.tuscaloosachamber.com/aas.

The Bama Theatre is located at 600 Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council or Bama Theatre, patrons should LIKE the Facebook page “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” and follow tuscarts on Twitter. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.

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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa
Contact: Shannon McCue
education@tuscarts.org
205-758-5195, ext. 4

PAUL W. BRYANT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WINS STATE AWARD IN MONTGOMERY

(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) Perri Payne from Paul W. Bryant High School has won First Place in the Drawing category in the Senior Division at the Visual Art Achievement Program State Competition in Montgomery. Her work, titled “Honeysuckle,” is on display at the Georgine Clarke Alabama Artists Gallery at the Alabama State Council on the Arts in downtown Montgomery, and she will receive her award at a reception on
Thursday, April 13, 2023.

A program of the Alabama State Council on the Arts, the Visual Arts Achievement Program provides local and state recognition for student achievement in the visual arts. The program is designed to offer encouragement to young artists, showcase their work and offer opportunities for advanced training beyond high school.

The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa administrates the program on the local level, providing a competitive visual art opportunity and exhibit experience to students in middle and high school in the West Alabama districts of 3 and 4. Payne’s work won overall Best in Show in the local competition in February.

The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa is located at 614 Greensboro Avenue in Downtown Tuscaloosa in the Bama Theatre. For more information about The Arts Council or Bama Theatre, patrons should LIKE the Facebook page “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” and follow tuscarts on Twitter. Call 205-758-5195 or visit www.tuscarts.org for further information.

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(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa will host the Junior League of Tuscaloosa’s “Sustainer Exhibit” in The Arts Council Gallery at the Dinah Washington Cultural Art Center April 7-May 24, 2023. The exhibit will open during the First Friday Art Walk on April 7 at 5 p.m.

The goal of the show is to support The Arts Council, spread awareness on the amazing impact of JLTuscaloosa and fundraise for community partners. Select items will be available for purchase with the funds used to support community partners like Tuscaloosa Angels, Holt Elementary and more.

Comprised of paintings in a variety of media, the show will reflect the creativity and talent of the Junior League’s sustainers who are no longer active members, but maintain a presence in a supportive role. JLT dates back to 1929 and the establishment of the Junior Welfare Association of Tuscaloosa with the current title adopted in 1979. Today, more than one hundred women are active members of JLT, with a sustainer network of nearly three hundred dating back to the 1970s. The membership is open to women of all races, religions, and national origins, who demonstrate an interest in and a commitment to voluntarism.

For more information about JLT, visit their website at https://www.jltuscaloosa.org.

Gallery hours are weekdays 9 a.m.- noon and 1-4 p.m.  For more information about all gallery events taking place on First Friday and the locations, visit www.firstfridaytuscaloosa.com.

The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center is located at 620 Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council, Bama Theatre or CAC, patrons should like the Facebook page “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram @tuscaloosaartscouncil. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.

(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa will present the 2023 Visual Arts Achievement Awards Exhibit at the Bama Theatre’s Junior League Gallery through March 10.  A closing reception and awards ceremony recognizing the winners will take place on Thursday, March 9 from 6-7 p.m. in the gallery.

The Junior League Gallery at the Bama Theatre is open weekdays from 9 a.m. -noon and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Enter the gallery through the PARA Building, located adjacent to the theatre, during daytime hours.

The exhibit will consist of the winners and other outstanding works accepted to the show by students from local public and private schools with works divided into two groups based on grade level. Group I will consist of middle school students in grades 6-8, and Group II will include high school students in grades 9-12.  The program was open to students from West Alabama counties in District 3. Entries were classified based on medium:  craft, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and photography/digital images/film/new media.

The local winners will be featured in the state level competition at the RSA Tower Artist’s Gallery in Montgomery. A program of the Alabama State Council on the Arts, the Visual Arts Achievement Program provides local and state recognition for student achievement in the visual arts. The program is designed to offer encouragement to young artists, showcase their work and offer opportunities for advanced training beyond high school.

The judges for the District 3 competition were Ruth O’Connor and Kaitlin Redborg.

Top 2023 Winners

Overall Best in Show
Perri Payne, Paul W. Bryant High School
Teacher: Olivia Williams
Drawing: “Honeysuckle”

Best in Group 1
Emmitt Sesson, The Alberta School of Performing Arts
Teacher: Abel Phillips
Drawing: Untitled

Best in Group 2
Jessica Trotter, Paul W. Bryant High School
Teacher: Olivia Williams
Drawing: “Heartbreak”

To the list of all winners and those works that will move forward to the state level, visit
https://tuscarts.org/competition-visualachievement.php.

The Bama Theatre is located at 600 Greensboro Avenue in Downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council or Bama Theatre, patrons should LIKE the Facebook page “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” and follow tuscarts on Twitter. Call 205-758-5195 or visit www.tuscarts.org for further information.

(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa will host the annual Tuscaloosa County School System Fine Arts Showcase March 3-30, 2023 in The Arts Council Gallery and Black Box Theatre at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center.

An exhibit of select visual art comprised of art students from the TCSS secondary schools will open on March 3 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. during the First Friday Art Walk. Each art teacher will select seven to ten pieces for the display in a variety of media. The exhibit will conclude on March 30.

Also featured during the First Friday portion of the Showcase will be performances by the Tuscaloosa County High School Jazz Band (under Nick McDonald) from 5:15-5:45 p.m. and the Hillcrest Middle School Choir (Choral Director: Jerome Mays) from 6-6:30 p.m.

Gallery hours are weekdays 9 a.m.- noon and 1-4 p.m.  For more information about all gallery events taking place on First Friday and the locations, visit www.firstfridaytuscaloosa.com.

The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center is located at 620 Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council, Bama Theatre or CAC, patrons should like the Facebook page “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram @tuscaloosaartscouncil. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.

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(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) The regional finals for Poetry Out Loud, a national recitation competition, took place on Feb. 2, 2023 at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center. Prior to this final round in Tuscaloosa, the West-Central Alabama students participated in a primary competition at their respective high schools.

Poetry Out Loud is a competition that encourages the nation’s youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about their literary heritage. Since 2005, Poetry Out Loud has grown to reach more than 4.1 million students and 68,000 teachers from 17,000 schools and organizations in every state, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Students competing in the Regions 3 and 4 POL program were eligible to compete in the national anthology portion of the program, the original poetry portion, or social issue recitation. Traveling to Montgomery, Ala. this year, the winners will compete in the state-wide competition against winners in other Alabama regions.

The Alabama State Council on the Arts sponsored the competition and The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa administrates Poetry Out Loud on the local level. Sponsors include the National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Foundation and The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa. Shannon McCue, Arts Council Education Director, served as Facilitator in Regions 3/4.

National Anthology Recitation:

1. Nalin Reed, Alabama School of Fine Arts

2. Rishab Samant, Vestavia Hills High School

3. Elizabeth McCure, Alabama School of Fine Arts

Original Poetry Recitation:

1. Abigail White, Indian Springs School

2. Elizabeth McClure, Alabama School of Fine Arts

3. Sarah Khamis, Indian Springs School

Social Issue Poetry Recitation:

1. Elizabeth McClure, Alabama School of Fine Arts

2. Aarvi Shah, Indian Springs School

3. William Bittner, Alabama School of Fine Arts

Judges for the day were Al Elliott, Salaam Green and Alina Stefanescu. Martie Sample was Accuracy Judge, Sandra Wolfe was Prompter and Reagan Fryer served as Scorekeeper.

The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center is located at 620 Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council, Bama Theatre or CAC, patrons should like the Facebook page “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram @tuscaloosaartscouncil. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.

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(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) February’s First Friday Art Walk will feature the Alabama Blues Project’s preview of visual art included in their upcoming “Evening of Art and Blues” event in the Arts Council Gallery at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center. The preview exhibit, “City Blues vs. Country Blues,” will open on Friday, February 3, 2023 from 5-7 p.m. and will culminate with the organization’s annual “Evening of Art and Blues” event on Feb. 24, also at the DWCAC.

DWCAC will also feature a demonstration of pointillism with pen and watercolor pencil by artist Mikayla Hammock.

Gallery hours are weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Exhibit items will be available for silent auction at alabamabluesproject.betterworld.org. Visit www.alabamablues.org for more information about the exhibit and the upcoming “Evening of Art and Blues” at the DWCAC on Feb. 24, 2023.

Additional First Friday openings include:

• The University of Alabama Gallery at DWCAC: “Roscoe Hall: Two Houses” through Feb. 23
• Paul Jones Museum: “Patterns of Creativity – with Alberta School of the Performing Arts”              through Feb. 23
• Harrison Galleries: Avian Portraiture – Audubon, Gould and Ede,  1826-2016 and jazz ensemble; Demonstration by watercolor artist Libby Morris
• Lorrie Lane Studio- featuring Lane’s work and other local artists
• The Art Garage- Art activities for children
• Kentuck Gallery at Hotel Indigo: Prints by Scott Stephens
• Druid City Makerspace: featuring candle artist and ceramicist “Boogibear”
• uPerk: Featuring the work of local and regional artists
• Turbo Coffee: Art students from Shelton State CC; rotating monthly
• Avenue Pub: Demo by alcohol ink artist Amber Simpson
• Black Warrior Brewing: Featuring the work of local artists until 7 p.m.

For more information about the February First Friday, visit www.firstfridaytuscaloosa.com.

The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center is located at 620 Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council, Bama Theatre or CAC, patrons should like the Facebook page “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram @tuscaloosaartscouncil. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.

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