Letter from the Director – Fall 2021
Dear Friends and Members,
Art elevates the everyday. And WMA elevates the Wiregrass.
Through diverse programs that highlight quality art, lifelong learning, and that promote community gathering and sharing, WMA contributes to a rich local experience and quality of life that impacts the lives of those in our region.
This quarter we open new exhibitions that tell the unique stories of Alabama and the Wiregrass. Charlie Lucas and Yvonne Wells: What I Knew How To Do showcases the personal stories of two artists from Alabama. The large scale sculpture, found object, and assemblage work of Charlie Lucas is paired with story quilts by Yvonne Wells to present our State’s cultural heritage, while the work of Sydney A. Foster uses photography to document the realities of the Wiregrass community. Taken over the course of a year during her residency with WMA, the artist and image maker shares underrepresented stories of our community, and reflects on her own experiences growing up in the South.
We recently relaunched our Bus on Us program, and are providing 8 buses for every Dothan City and Houston County school to visit the museum. We’ve already welcomed students to WMA for tours and art lessons that integrate STEM and literacy into arts learning. This program lays the foundation for our commitment to lifelong learning – school field trips give students a sense of ownership for our museum and encourage continued learning in the arts. We’re looking forward to serving thousands of students this school year, through Bus on Us and other educational initiatives.
WMA also welcomed back students from Troy’s Nursing School, where they hone their observation and communication skills by studying art throughout the year. As we move into a new year, we’ll be balancing a return to in-person programs while continuing to offer virtual programs that bring artists and creative professionals together from around the world. WMA is a place where education is at the core of our mission. But we also provide opportunities to gather and socialize with our neighbors. Through events like Art After Hours, Watercolor Collective, and the green leaf, WMA is poised to provide consistent activation of a growing downtown and a space that is fun and accessible for all.
As a cultural anchor, we inspire creativity that enhances and elevates the everyday lives of our community, and we can only do this with your support. As we enter a season of giving, we hope that you will join alongside us and continue to generously give to the museum’s end-of-year fundraising campaign, to help us sustain growth and momentum. We thank you for your continued support of WMA and our mission and hope to see you at the museum soon!
