Visual Arts Resources in the Shoals

Shoals Museums and Galleries 

View art exhibits

Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts

217 E. Tuscaloosa St., Florence, AL. The office of the Florence Department of Arts and Museums is housed here. It offers traveling art exhibitions and permanent exhibitions as well as hosting the Shoals Artist Guild meetings.

The Tennessee Valley Museum of Art

511 N Water St., Tuscumbia, AL. The Tennessee Valley Museum of Art offers rotating exhibitions, juried art competitions, workshops, and educational outreach. Hours are Monday - Friday 9 AM - 5 PM and Sunday 1 - 3 PM. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students. Admission is Free on Sundays.

University of North Alabama Art Gallery

615 N. Pine St., 2nd Floor of the Visual Arts Bldg., University of North Alabama, Florence, AL 35630. The University Art Gallery host exhibits by nationally and regionally known artists and students. The Lights and Shadows juried competition is also exhibited here.

Huntsville Museum of Art

The Huntsville Museum is a little over an hour away from the Shoals.

The Shoals Artisans Showcase

McGraw's Coffeehouse is expanding to include The Shoals Artisans Showcase at 108 North Court Street in Downtown Florence adjacent to McGraw's Coffeehouse (formerly the High Cotton building). Shoals Artisans Showcase is seeking original handcrafted goods including but not limited to paintings, textiles, pottery, glassware, signed woodworking, etc. for consignment sale. For more information or to make an appointment for jurying, call 256.648.6387.

ARTifacts

1627-B Darby Drive, English Village, Florence, AL. Tommy Mathis opened this gallery in the English Village shops to show his own work and the work of other artists.

Shoals Artist Organizations 

Shoals Artist Guild

The Shoals Artist Guild is primarily a painters' guild that meets once a month at the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts.

Tennessee Valley Art Association

TVAA operates the Tennessee Valley Art Center, furthers expression in and the appreciative understanding of all of the arts, brings together all persons interested in the arts, provides art education opportunities, and conducts programs, demonstrations, exhibitions, etc. on various phases of the arts.

Shoals Festivals and Exhibits 

Things to do in Northwest Alabama

Alabama Arts Radio Series

The Alabama State Council on the Arts broadcasts interviews with Alabama artisans every week. Past interviews include visual artists, writers, and performing artists. The interviews are available to download on the web site.

First Fridays in Florence

On the first Friday evening of the month, artists display their works and musicians perform in downtown Florence. Participation is free for artists, musicians and visitors. First Friday will resume in the spring of 2010.

Remembrance and Reality: Works by Ann Bagby

January 7 - February 11, 2010 at the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, 217 E. Tuscaloosa St., Florence. Exhibit includes mixed media works that use printmaking, painting, drawing, collage, stamping, and stenciling. Ann Bagby is from Estill Springs, Tennessee and is a full signature member of the American and National watercolor societies. Hours are 9 AM - 4 PM Monday - Friday and admission is free.

Art of the State

This juried exhibition of works by university art studio faculty in Alabama will be on display January 17 - March 7, 2010 at the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, 511 N. Water St., Tuscumbia. There will be a free opening reception and gallery walk by competition juror Dr. Jill Chancy at 1 PM on Sunday, January 17. Admisssion is $5 for adults and $3 for students Monday - Friday and free on Sunday. For more information, call Lori Curtis at 383-0533 or see the web site.

Tom Sawyer's Days of Life Along the River

The Shoals Artist Guild is participating in the Big Read with original paintings depicting "Tom Sawyer's Days of Life Along the River" through April 15 at the Killen Library.

Birds in the Bedroom

An exhibit of Abraham Rowe's photography is currently displaying at Rivertown Coffee, 117 N. Seminary St., Florence.

Maxine Williamson and Gayla Ray

Through March 19 in the Artists' Guild Gallery at the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, 217 E. Tuscaloosa St., Florence. The Shoals Artist Guild is presenting a two-person show by members Maxine Williamson and Gayla Ray. Hours are 9 AM - 4:30 PM Monday - Friday.

Works from the Collection

March 14 - April 2, 2010. The Tennessee Valley Museum of Art features works from its permanent collection. The majority of the art has been donated to the Museum from private collections or purchased with donations designated to purchase art. Hours are Monday - Friday 9 AM - 5 PM and Sunday 1 - 3 PM. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students. Admission is Free on Sundays.

At Home in Alabama and Hummingbirds of the Nineteenth Century

April 18 - May 28, 2010 at the Tennessee Vally Museum of Art. "At Home in Alabama" is a decorative arts exhibition curated by Mr. Zac Abramson, a local authority and collector of art and antiques. "Hummingbirds of the Nineteenth Century" is an exhibit of fine art prints from the collection of Billy and Wanda Isom. The collection includes hand-colored lithographs of drawings by John Gould, Octavo prints by artist William Jardine and engraved by William Lizar, and a print by John Jame Audubon. Hours are Monday - Friday 9 AM - 5 PM and Sunday 1 - 3 PM. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students. Admission is Free on Sundays.

Shoals Art Classes and Workshops 

Learn about art and art techniques

UNA Office of Continuing Studies and Outreach

The University of North Alabama Continuing Education Department offers art classes. Most are classified as "Personal Enrichment". You can download their complete schedule on their website.

Spanish Oaks School of Arts

730 Nellie Avenue, Florence, AL 35630. Jan Roblin or Jan Roblin Originals offers classes for children and adults at the Spanish Oaks School of Art. She also offers personal critiques for adult artists. The art gallery is open on Fridays from 10am to 4pm.

Art Classes by Lucas Stokes

Five Saturdays beginning January 16, 2009 at McGraw's Coffee House Artisan Gallery, Florence. Lucas Stokes will be conducting art classes from 11 AM - 1 PM. Cost is $100. For more information call: 765-7779.

Floral Painting Workshop

February 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2010 from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, 511 N Water St., Tuscumbia, AL, with instructor Rich Curtis. Students will work from still life flower arrangements to learn composition, color mixing, painting, and texturing techniques. Cost is $50 for TVAA members and $60 for non-members. Registration deadline is January 29. Call 256-383-0533 to register. Ages 18 and up.

Art After School - Drawing

February 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2010 from 3:30 PM to 5 PM at the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, 511 N Water St., Tuscumbia, AL, with instructor Rich Curtis. Ages 8-12. Students will use fun and interesting exercises to learn different styles and techniques of drawing. Cost is $8 per class for TVAA members and $10 per class for non-members. Registration is recommended. Call 256-383-0533 to register.

Representational vs. Abstract in Pastel

February 13-14, 2010 at the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, 217 E. Tuscaloosa St., Florence. Elaine Augustine will teach a pastel painting class focusing on composition and value while learning more about painting with pastels. Students will paint from photographs. Class hours are 9 AM - 4 PM Saturday, February 13 and 1 - 4 PM Sunday, February 14. Cost is $85. For details and supply list call 764-5202 or visit elaineaugustine.com.

Portrait Painting Workshop

March 19, 20, and 21, 2010 at the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, 511 N Water St., Tuscumbia, AL.. Instructor Martha Carpenter will lead a three-day workshop using a live model and methods demonstrated by the instructor so the students can create their own successful portrait painting. Registration and a $75 deposit is required by February 8. The $275 balance is due 15 days before the first class. All deposits are refundable 30 days before the first class. If a reservation is cancelled less than 30 days before the first class, a refund will be given only if your space can be filled. No refunds are given for no-shows or withdrawals after the class has started. Class is limited to 10 students. Call for a supply list. Cost is $350 and $30 for the model fee. Call 256-383-0533 for more information and registration.

Artist Blogs and Web Sites 

See the work of Shoals Artists

Huntsville Art Blog

A blog to promote local artists and art awareness. The emphasis is on the Huntsville area, of course, but it also covers some events in the Shoals and Shoals artists.

Sydney Harper: Mockingbird Works

My drawing and painting blog

Art Hive

Art Hive is a non-profit artist co-op located in Florence, AL dedicated to promoting the arts in Florence and surrounding communities.

Jan Roblin Originals

Jan Roblin is an artist, illustrator, and writer. She also runs the Spanish Oaks School of Art with art instruction for children and adults.

Jean Schulman

Jean Schulman uses clay as a dye for various fabrics. She then uses drawing and design on these batiks. Her works are part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian Institute.

Martha Marshall: An Artist's Journal

Martha Marshall is a full-time studio artist in Florence, AL. Her blog contains examples of abstract paintings, collage, and other artistic pursuits.

Mary Linville

Mary Linville is primarily a landscape artist but she also does still life, birds, animals, character studies, and abstracts. Mary works in a variety of mediums but her favorite is watercolor.

Mellissa Meeks

Mellissa Meeks works in pencil, acrylics, photography, and other media. She also offers workshops in the Shoals.

Tim Stevenson

Tim Stevenson works primarily in watercolor. His gallery, Stevenson's Fine Art, is located in downtown Florence and is open by appointment. His gallery is also the location of his art classes.

Tommy Thompson

Paints traditional landscapes in oil and also has more than 30 years experience as a illustrator. He also has a blog in additon to his gallery website.

Huntsville Art League

This is the blog for the Huntsville Art League. The HAL has a gallery, classes, studio space and other activities.

Art Supplies 

Finding art supplies in the Shoals

Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby is located at 1622 Florence Boulevard in Florence. They also have arts and crafts classes.

Off Campus Book Store

472 N. Court St. in Florence. They don't have a web site so I linked to the Yahoo Map. I haven't been there in a while but they had an okay amount of art supplies the last time I went there.

Michaels Arts and Crafts Store

Located on University Drive in Huntsville.

Alabama Art Supply

Located at 1006 23rd Street South in Birmingham. You can also shop from their web site. I haven't shopped there personally but some local people do.

Other Sources of Information 

Web Sites on Art in the Shoals

Shoals Art

Promotes artists and galleries in the Shoals.

Shoals Arts Network

A Yahoo group for discussing the arts and disseminating information about the arts in the Shoals. It's a good place to find out about art events of all kinds, not just the visual arts.

Shoals Culture

A collection web sites concerning the arts in the Shoals.

Huntsville Art Blog

Huntsville Art Blog promotes local artists and art awareness. All local artists are welcome to share their work, stories, and advice. Covers the Huntsville area, including the Shoals.