WMA Receives $6,300 Grant from Alabama State Council on the Arts

Matt Boster

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Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Sep 25 2018 8:06 AM

DOTHAN, Alabama - September 25, 2018 - The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce it has received an award in the amount of $6,300 from the Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA). The award will be used to support the museum's mission of connecting contemporary artists in Alabama with the Wiregrass community through exhibitions and related programming from October of 2018 through September of 2019.

WMA's exhibition schedule will feature a variety of mediums and themes, as well as partnerships with other organizations and a commitment to supporting the larger Alabama arts community.

"The exhibition schedule for the upcoming year continues our work in highlighting the achievements of Alabama artists and allowing them the freedom to experiment and explore new ideas in their art. Our exhibitions will also showcase work being done throughout our community through a collaborative art practice. We are grateful to the Alabama State Council on the Arts for their continued support of our programs," said WMA Director and Curator Dana-Marie Lemmer.

The grant award will support exhibitions including "Echoes: A response to objects in WMA's permanent collection by the Alabama Women's Caucus for Art," a group show featuring new work from Alabama artists; "Ground Beneath My Feet - Collaborative Portraits with Visual Artists in My Hometown," a photography series by Charity Ponter; "Continuum: 1808 to 2017 / Goya to Erdreich," an exhibition of new work from Dothan native Beverly Erdreich; new works in contemporary quilting and metalwork from Sheri Schumacher; an exhibition of a series of large-scale, abstract landscapes from Carlton Nell; "Grass Roots" from photographer Sydney Foster; and exhibition partnerships that will highlight social causes through visual art, including "Home: Where I Live" and "The Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama."

"ASCA is pleased to support WMA's exhibition and artist-related programming over the coming year. The Wiregrass Museum of Art staff does an excellent job providing engaging and educational art experiences for all ages. The Dothan community should be proud to have such a dynamic arts organization downtown, but the impact that WMA has on the state is much broader. WMA has partnered with ASCA for a multi-year celebration leading up to Alabama's bicentennial on December 14, 2019, which has highlighted the work of many incredibly talented artists from around the state. I encourage everyone to make a visit to WMA. Regardless of if you have never been before or if you attend regularly, there is always something new and exciting to learn about and experience at WMA," said Elliot Knight, deputy director of the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

Exhibition-related programming during the year will include Art After Hours, a quarterly event to celebrate the opening of new exhibitions and allow informal conversation between museum visitors and exhibiting artists; interactive workshops with exhibiting artists; special performances; and artist lectures and discussions.

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