New exhibits open at Meridian Museum of Art

By Staff
NEW EXHIBITS – Black and white photograph by Meridian's Becky Glover that are part of a collection titled "Weidmann's Last Lunch." Submitted photo
By Penny Randall / staff writer
Jan. 11, 2004
Meridian Museum of Art is preparing to open new exhibits by two different artists and people can get their first look during an artists' reception from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturday.
One exhibit will showcase photos by Meridian's Becky Glover documenting "Weidmann's Last Lunch." The other exhibit will be paintings by Terry Strickland that explore children growing up and coming of age.
The reception is free and open to the public. A gallery talk will take place at 6:40 p.m.
Strickland is a native of Pelham, Ala., who holds a bachelor's degree in graphic design from the University of Central Florida.
She has worked as an illustrator, silk screen artist, courtroom sketch artist and teacher. Her clients have included Sea World, Busch Gardens, Greenpeace, Kennedy Space Center, Birmingham Museum of Art and Brevard Community College.
Strickland's background
Strickland is currently a part-time illustrator for Avalanche Press, a publisher of games and books. During the past four years Strickland has re-dedicated herself to painting.
Among her awards are a first place at the 2003 Kennedy-Douglas Center for the Arts and an Achievement Award at the 2003 Meridian Museum of Art Bi-State Competition.
Strickland's current work explores growing up and coming-of-age.
The paintings are about that time of life when teens are awakening to future possibilities but still immersed in the playfulness of childhood. The paintings include toys from the past and objects from nature.
Glover's talent
Glover said she believes "God has blessed me with strong desire, and an undetermined portion of sense in how to use a camera. He has also blessed me by surrounding me with good people and timing."
Glover said she thinks of herself as someone who spends time watching a clock with real hands.
While Glover didn't grow up with Weidmann's, she said, she married into a family of men that did. She said the downtown restaurant has a long-rooted tug on them.
Weidmann' visit
In fact it was Glover's father-in-law who suggested she visit the restaurant on Oct. 4, 2001, for the last lunch before its closing. She spent about eight hours photographing Weidmann's last day.
The remodeled restaurant, now under new ownership, reopened last year.