The Alabama Center for the Arts is pleased to announce the opening of “Collective Imagination,” an art show featuring works from the Alabama Center for the Arts’ full-time visual and performing arts faculty from Calhoun Community College and Athens State University. The exhibit is located in the Center’s Main Gallery and will remain open until Wednesday, June 30.
This is the first time the ACA has featured only its full-time faculty in an exhibit. Featured artists include:
- Jamie Adams – Assistant Professor of Art, Studio Art
- Dr. Mary Beth Johns – Associate Professor, Visual Art Education
- Pamela Keller – Professor of Art
- Dr. Hugh Long – Associate Professor of Drama & English
- Kimberly Parker – Visual Communications Instructor
- Lauren Cantrell Salerno – Theatre Instructor
- Jessica Spowart – Assistant Professor of Art/Graphic Design
- Jax Vadney – Assistant Professor of Drama and Theatre Arts: Scenic and Lighting Design
- Kathryn Lansing Vaughn – Art Instructor
- Chris Vrenna – Music Technology Instructor
“Collective Imagination” features 33 works created with a variety of mediums ranging from acrylic, watercolor, alcohol ink, and oil paintings to woodcuts, wire frame millinery, and charcoal. In addition, the show also features a large plasma screen to showcase photos, music, and digital art.
“I feel very fortunate to work with such gifted educators, but sometimes we’re so consumed with classes and curriculum, that I forget that they are also truly talented artists,” said Kim Parker, Visual Communications Instructor at Calhoun Community College. “Then we get the opportunity to exhibit our work and I’m stunned all over again by the level of skill they possess. I’m honored to be included in the gallery with artists of their caliber.”
“It is important to allow our students to see that their professors are not just teachers, but are professional artists with original ideas to express outside of the classroom,” said Dr. Mary Beth Johns, Associate Professor of Visual Art Education at Athens State University. “I work in the open area of the ACA so that students walking by can see that I am a painter with the same processes and problems they have when creating a work of art. I plan, revise, experiment, and complete. Finally, students see the fruits of that labor in the gallery – from start to finish.”
The Alabama Center for the Arts is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm and on Friday from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. For more information, please contact the Alabama Center for the Arts at 256-260-4293.