Join Me! Camp McDowell July 18-20, 2008

Southern Roots 2008

On Monday evening, March 31st, the opening reception for SOUTHERN ROOTS 2008 was held.

SOUTHERN ROOTS is a Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Artists with Alabama ties. The exhibition is presented each year by The Academy of Fine Arts, Inc., (AFA). This current show marks the Nineteenth Annual event. This year, the Juror was Gail Andrews, R. Hugh Daniel Director of the Birmingham Museum of Art. I'm pleased to announce that I received a 1st Place Award for my linoleum block relief print "Like a Martin to its' Gourd" (which you can view here).

Unfortunately, the artwork which was selected for the exhibition is not available on the www. I hope that 'yall will take the time to go downtown Birmingham and see the art which will be available for viewing until May 2nd at the Birmingham Public Library, 2100 Park Place North, Birmingham. My BFF Donna Branch of Tara Glass Art Studio and my best bud, Bill Goudy, are exhibiting also.

Don't know why Julian Hazlett didn't submit his art tiles. His work is wonderful!! I meet Julian, albeit briefly, about 3 years ago as I was strolling thru the Loft District in Birmingham at the Sidewalk Art Festival. When I spotted his art tiles my eyes lit up; my soul squealed with delight! I saw striking black and white jewels which, at first glance, appeared to be wood engravings. I asked him a couple of questions about his technique and he didn't hesitate one bit to share information about resources available in the metro area. Okay, (cue the music) here's where I say, ". . .he had me at hello." I love his eyes. They're intense but friendly. You can't tell if he feels imprisoned by his own muse or if he's looking inside of you. Now . . . and here's the best part . . . fast forward to this year. I met my BFF (that's Donna) at a seminar about six weeks ago and guess who was sittin' there with her!?? Yep! Mr. Julian! There they were just a sittin' and a talkin' and a grinning and havin' a good old time. They've known each other for a while. Gosh, is this a small world or what???!!!!! I love how we're all connected to each other. . . Six Degrees of Separation, right? For those of you who don't know, six degrees of separation refers to the idea that, if a person is one step away from each person he or she knows and two steps away from each person who is known by one of the people he or she knows, then everyone is an average of six "steps" away from each person on Earth.

We're all connected to accomplish something good.