The show is open to residents of West Alabama, a total of 11 counties, including Tuscaloosa. Artwork will be chosen for the show, and the overall winning piece will be purchased to be added to the gallery’s permanent collection. Awards include the $750 purchase award, a $300 cash award and three $100 Awards of Excellence.
“This show was, like many other programs, founded out of a simple need that was not addressed in the past,” said Kevin Ledgewood, who manages public relations for The Tuscaloosa Arts Council. “I think the show is a great example of The Arts Council’s commitment to local art.”
Rachel Dobson, the visual resources curator for the UA art department, has been involved with the local arts community since she was in her teens. She said she watched the Juried Arts Show’s importance to local art grow in the community.
“Tuscaloosa is incredibly fortunate to have this Arts Council and the West Alabama Juried Exhibition,” she said. “We have lots of wonderful artists in West Alabama, and because of [opportunities like this] new artists apply to the show every year.”
The show is sponsored by the Tuscaloosa Arts Council, which has been around since 1970. Dobson said the Tuscaloosa Arts Council supports visual artists in the area by providing them with opportunities through funding and grants.
“[They have] made sure that the art in West Alabama never gets stagnate or stale,” she said.
The Juried Arts Show will be exhibited from Nov. 10 through Dec. 15 at the Bama Theatre’s gallery. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. A closing reception open to the public will honor the winners Dec. 15 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the theatre.
Ledgewood said the Juried Arts Show has become a staple for local artists with its return every year.
