Letter from the Director – Spring

Dear Friends and Members,

This quarter marks a year since our temporary closure in 2020, when exhibitions were postponed and programs and events canceled. Although we adapted quickly – pivoting to outreach efforts, supplying art kits to thousands, and increasing our digital presence — we’re all looking forward to a steady return to normal.

It seems only appropriate that we would open our quarter with those exhibitions that were postponed, welcoming artists from around the world to showcase their work in the Wiregrass. Path of Entry brings together an international roster of artists exploring ideas of environment, both in reality and representation. The exhibition is curated by Chintia Kirana, who will also show a site specific installation of her work in the show titled Between Heaven and Earth. Based in Montgomery, Alabama, Kirana brings together artists from different places and different disciplines, while exploring the ideas and concepts we may share. Be sure to tune in to our virtual artist series to learn more about their work. We also continue our exhibition Pattern and Void, featuring artists from Sloss Metal Arts, as well as our annual exhibition of the Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama.

We recently hosted another year of Youth Art Month, exhibiting 115 works by area preK-12 students. I’m continuously impressed by the talent in our region, and am reminded of the impact that WMA has in providing diverse opportunities for our children. The past year has undoubtedly been difficult for our students, but we’ve heard from so many of you that your families found comfort in the arts. As we ease into in-person programs, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to the museum for summer camps – ranging from mixed media and collage to painting – and expanding our community partnerships that eliminate barriers to access.

WMA has proven itself to be resilient, and we expect to emerge from this time with a deeper commitment to our community. Our ability to find innovative solutions to connecting with the public is in no small part because of the continued support from you. Our members play an integral role in improving the quality of life of the region, and building equitable opportunities for people across the Wiregrass. To thank you, and to celebrate all we’ve accomplished in the past year, we will be hosting our members-only event, One Night Only, on May 6 at WMA. I hope you’ll join us for a fun-filled evening with surprises inside and outdoors. We look forward to seeing you all soon!

All the best,

Dana-Marie Lemmer
Executive Director and Curator