Current Exhibitions
"Natural Impressions"
A Photographic Art Exhibit presented by Tom Meyer
Tom Meyer is an outdoor enthusiast, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of South Alabama, and the current President of the Faculty Senate. He had boyhood dreams of becoming a naturalist and acquired a degree in biology before being inspired by a military stint as a Green Beret medic to pursue a career in Nursing. A deep appreciation of the natural world has remained a passionate focus in his life.
This is Tom's first show ever. He has always considered himself more than a casual photographer, but the digital revolution inspired his enthusiasm to scratch his artistic itches in places he was never able to reach with film. Having one of his pieces selected by Dr. Sue Walker, Professor of English at the University of South Alabama, to be presented to renowned biologist E. O. Wilson, in appreciation of his visit as a Stokes Distinguished Lecturer in 2009, gave Tom confidence that his work would find an audience beyond close family and friends.
Photographic realism is not the primary focus of Tom's artistic style. Rather, he seeks to create images that are evocative of the behind-the-eye experience more than a detailed re-creation of the subject. He accomplishes this through digital manipulation of the raw photo. He is unapologetic about this, likening the computer to a darkroom with ones and zeros as his paint and a mouse as his brush.
Tom has never had formal training in either art or photography. For now he prefers to leave it that way, feeling that his naivete' in this respect fosters an organic approach that more sophistication may interfere with. Indeed, it was only recently that Tom realized that he had developed a definite style: vivid colors, high-contrast, distinctly impressionistic, and always grounded in the natural world.
"The Art of Elaine Byrd and Ainsley McNeely"
Both Elaine Byrd and Ainsley McNeely enjoy the challenge of capturing the beauty, energy and emotion of the natural world, depicting with incredible accuracy the smallest details of wildlife in their native Alabama.
Elaine was chosen winner of the “Alabama Duck Stamp” competition and placed third in the prestigious “Federal Duck Stamp” competition. She has received numerous awards in other national, state and local contests and has also judged notable state and local contests. Elaine is currently publishing her own limited edition prints under the name “Byrd Art.” She specializes in personalized portraits and was commissioned to paint an action portrait of Pete Sampras, the number one world tennis champion at that time. The limited edition prints are hand signed by Pete, one of which was purchased by the Wimbledon Museum of Tennis in Wimbledon, England.
Elaine currently resides in Mobile, Alabama and is active in the art community, having served on the executive board of the Fine Arts Museum of the South, president of the Mobile Art Association and of the Watercolor and Graphics Arts Society.
Ainsley McNeely has drawn and painted all her life. She originally worked primarily in watercolor and graphite then expanded into oil, pen and ink, pastel, sculpture and more recently casein, frequently mixing media to achieve the desired effect. Her oils use a Victorian color palette, giving them a distinctive feel compared to the contemporary colors used by other artists while her pastels are done on a handmade paper with a unique almost leather-like appearance, giving them an antique ambience.
Best known to the public for the series of colorful posters she designed for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, A.D.E.C.A. and others, her work can be seen in museums, galleries, private and corporate collections in North America, Europe, and Australia. Ainsley’s wildlife paintings, sporting art, portraits, figure work and miniatures appear in shows throughout the U.S., winning awards in many competitions including the World Wildlife Art Festival, The Art Show at the Dog Show, the Grand National Art Contest and many others. She designed the 2001-2002 Alabama Duck Stamp, is president of the Alabama Miniature Art Society and was inducted into the UMS-Wright Hall of Fame for Fine Arts. Ainsley gives presentations to various art, conservation and business groups and occasionally teaches workshops. She holds a B.A. in studio art from Florida State University and a master’s degree from the University of South Alabama.
"Through the Looking Glass with Ann & Frank"
Presented by Ann & Frank Calagaz
Ann and Frank Calagaz display, for the first time together, a collection of Ann's paintings and Frank's photography, mostly travel pictures from around the world.
Ann is an accomplished artist, working in watercolor, oil and acrylic for over twenty years. She holds an Associate Degree in Art from Faulkner and has taught and exhibited in such diverse places as Paris, France; Poland; Slovakia; and Denmark; as well as locally.
Frank is better known for his business of selling and teaching photography to others through the family business, Calagaz Photo Supply. His photography has been strictly for his own enjoyment as they travel. These images are his first public exhibit.
"Conserving & Enjoying Alabama's Coastal Resources"
University of South Alabama Library
First Floor Gallery
January 9, 2012 - February 29, 2012
This exhibit features the art of school students in more than 40 Mobile and Baldwin county Schools. These young artists participated in an art contest sponsored by the Marine Resources Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The agency has sponsored this show for several years to promote a greater awareness and appreciation for the state's coastal resources. Calendars which feature the art are available in the gallery located on the first floor of the University Library.
University of South Alabama - Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002 (251) 460-6101
Date last changed: May 18, 2012
http://www.southalabama.edu/librarygalleries/current.html
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