Exploring the local art world
By By Penny Randall / staff writer
Sept. 19, 2003
Meridian is home to many galleries and, of course, the Meridian Museum of Art all of which showcase works by local as well as nationally known artists.
Currently several exhibits are on display at area galleries. Here is a look at some of them.
Meridian Museum of Art: Southern artists Brian Thompson and Christopher Payne have works hanging at the museum through Oct. 11.
Thompson hails from Deatsville, Ala. His drawings, pastels and mixed media works have been featured in solo exhibits at the Durham Arts Council, Louisburg College; the Center Gallery at the Arts Center in Carrboro, N.C., and Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala.
He is a two-time award winner in the MMA's own Bi-State Art Competition. Thompson's drawings are similar to photographic negatives they are dark figures on black backgrounds.
Payne, a Montgomery artist, is an associate professor of art at Huntingdon College. His sculptural work has been featured in solo and two-person exhibits. His works have been in nearly 70 invitational exhibits and juried competitions.
Bonnie Busbee Art Frame &Gallery: "Under a Southern Sky Revisited" by Porterville artist Terry Cherry hangs in the gallery through Oct. 10.
Cherry paints in watercolor, oil and acrylics. The subjects of his paintings are mostly rural landscapes, creeks, flowers and cows.
Cherry's work has been featured in one-man shows, group exhibits and competitions throughout the country.
K. Fulton Art &Frame: Meridian artist Charlie Busler will open his second show of the year during a reception Thursday from 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at K. Fulton Art and Frame in the historic Union Hotel in downtown Meridian.
The show includes 20 oil paintings on canvas and three ceramic slip pieces that are a little something extra and unexpected.
Webb Hall Art Gallery, University of West Alabama, Livingston, Ala.: Works by Frank Engle will hang at the gallery Sept. 28 through Dec. 13.
The exhibit will feature two-dimensional works Engle completed during the last three years of his life including watercolors, pastel drawings and mixed media.
The Art Connection: Artist Donald McDowell will display his work at the Art Connection next week and also will make a public appearance. He recently finished a mural for the Birmingham Public Library and will paint one of Meridian's carousel horses.
Did you know?
Here are a few galleries to visit:
Cartmell Gallery, 609 22nd Ave.
The Art Connection, 3813 Eighth St.
Casteel Gallery, on the Meridian Community College campus, 910 Highway 19 North
Meridian Museum of Art, 628 25th Ave.
Bonnie Busbee Art Frame &Gallery, 712 23rd Ave.
K. Fulton Art &Frame, 2000 Front St.
Webb Hall Art Gallery, University of West Alabama in Livingston, Ala.
