Vacationers seeking a little visual stimulation on their journeys will find Alabama has plenty in the way of visual arts. Visual arts greatly contribute to the state's culture, and is available for viewing and purchase in many different mediums. Both American and international art can be experienced at local museums, galleries, and festivals.
Several of Alabama's art museums focus on southern regional artists, so for art lovers with an interest in the south, Alabama is a gold mine. In addition to a wide range of high quality art museums, Alabama has quite a few art centers, specifically designed to support local artists and their work. For those that enjoy the outdoors, art festivals across the state offer local works for viewing and sale.
Museums
Alabama has a variety of museums for visitors to experience. Named one of the state's Top Ten destinations by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel, the Huntsville Museum of Art is a great place to start your artistic adventures. The museum is located in Big Spring International Park, and owns over 2,500 pieces in its permanent collection. The collection includes a large amount of American art with a focus on Southern artwork. The museum also hosts a variety of traveling exhibits from around the world.
Another must-see for art aficionados is the Birmingham Museum of Art. This museum is the largest municipal museum in the southeastern region, and contains over 22,000 pieces in its collections. Some featured exhibits of the collection include Asian art, African art, art of the Americas, photography, decorative arts, and a sculpture garden. The museum also has a full calendar of happenings, hosting events such as a Jazz Brunch, Art on the Rocks, workshops, lectures, films, and more.
The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts is another well-respected art institution in the state. With permanent collections that include American art, a collection of Old Master prints, a porcelain and glass collection, and southern art, the museum offers a variety of visual artwork. The Museum hosts traveling exhibitions as well as several art festivals throughout the year.
The Westervelt-Warner Museum of American Art, in Tuscaloosa, is home to one of the most significant collections of American art in the south. The museum is a great place to view works by renowned American artists like James A. McNeill Whistler, John Singer Sargent, Andrew Wyeth, Mary Cassatt, Thomas Cole, James Peale, Winslow Homer, and more. Through its art and artifacts, visitors can celebrate and explore the history of the nation.
The Mobile Museum of Art, in southern Alabama, is home to an impressive collection of fine art. The scope of the artwork at the Mobile Museum spans two millennia of world culture with four major collections of Art of the Americas, European art, non-Western art, and decorative arts. The museum also hosts special exhibits and an educational arm that includes children and family programs, an interactive art exhibit, and tours.
The Museum of Mobile is dedicated to interpreting the history and culture of the area. Exploring the area's history through a variety of artifacts and artwork, the museum also includes a Discovery Room Interactive Gallery for children. Another interactive museum is the Wiregrass Art Museum in Dothan, which has a hands-on gallery and art from current and historical artists in its collection. While in Dothan, visitors can view stunning murals painted by national muralists at the Wiregrass Festival of Murals. Guided tours are also available.
One especially interesting art museum in Alabama is the American Sport Art Museum and Archives, located at the United States Sports Academy in Daphne. The collection at this museum includes works by many nationally known sports artists and an impressive collection of Olympic posters.
Other art museums in the state include the Fayette Art Museum, the Gadsden Museum of Art, the Anniston Museum of Natural History, and art galleries on all the campuses of major universities in the state, which include Auburn University, Troy State, and the University of Alabama.
Art Centers
In addition to museums, Alabama is home to several art centers, where art is created and artists are nurtured. Studios, galleries and gift shops are often an integral part of these centers. Montgomery is home to the Alabama Center for Traditional Culture, which strives to protect traditional folk culture. Ozark has the Ann Rudd Art Center, and Gadsden is home to the Cultural Center for the Arts.
In the beach areas, Foley is home to the Foley Art Center, and Fairhope has the Eastern Shore Art Center. Other art centers can be found in Auburn, Northport, Florence, Birmingham, and Tuscumbia.
Art Festivals
Additional venues for art lovers are art festivals held throughout the state. Artists often exhibit their work for viewing and for sale at these entertaining and exciting events. Several art festivals are held in Florence, most notably the First Friday Series, held on the first Friday of the month for several months of the year in downtown. Florence also has local galleries and artists, and is also home to the Arts Alive Festival and several other art events.
Birmingham presents the Festival of the Arts and the Magic City Art Connection, held in April. For visitors to Huntsville, try the Big Spring Jam and the Panoply Festival of the Arts. Montgomery and Tuscaloosa each have their own respective CityFests that feature art as well.
Alabama is a state that appreciates and cultivates art with various museums, galleries, art centers, festivals, and events. For visitors to Alabama, whether interested in European art, Southern art, or decorative arts, there is sure to be something in the visual arts category to enjoy.
