Hamilton, Ala. – The Northwest Alabama Arts Council and the Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce teamed together to bring their members an opportunity to bolster their skills on Friday, June 18, and Saturday, June 19, in a Photography Improvement Seminar. 

 Under the direction of John Dersham, a thirty-year employee of Kodak, and current director of the DeKalb County (Alabama) Tourist Association, twenty members of the two organizations met for a 1-1/2 hour classroom session on June 18 at the EconoLodge Inn & Suites in Hamilton.  In the classroom-type setting, Dersham gave a presentation which covered many technical aspects of becoming a better photographer, followed by a question-and-answer session from the attendees.

 On June 19, the group was seen, cameras in hand, shooting thousands of photographs throughout the downtown Hamilton area and at the old county courthouse at Pikeville.  Due to the excessive heat, there were fewer attendees for the Saturday morning portion of the seminar, but the twelve who braved the heat were given the opportunity to improve their skills, shooting under the direct tutelage of Dersham.

 Dersham commented that once the group got out on the streets that the focus of the class shifted from basic usage to composition.  He further stated that he was very pleased with the caliber of students in the group and enjoyed watching the group’s progression throughout the day.  Many group members commented on the feelings of positive energy and creativeness shared with their fellow photographers.

 A viewing party has been scheduled as part of the upcoming arts council meeting on Monday, July 12, which will be held at the EconoLodge Inn & Suites conference room in Hamilton.  Seminar participants are being asked to select their top photos taken during the class.  Based upon the success and response to this seminar, the possibility of hosting a second seminar, possibly in the fall, is under discussion.

Photography seminar participants (left to right):  Rachel Craig, Slade Gilmer, Zach Wiginton,
Kyle Compton, Heath Jackson, Tony Williams, Ed Minter, Scott Slatton, instructor John
Dersham, Marla Minter, and John Boyett.  Not shown is Kathryn Hirschfeld,
who took this photograph.

Tuscaloosa, Ala. – The Summer/Fall 2010 edition of Jubilation magazine was released Friday, June 18, by the Arts & Humanities Council of Tuscaloosa County, and featured on the cover was a photograph entitled “Jerry Brown’s Face Jug” promoting the magazine’s nine-page article on the March 2010 Jerry Brown Arts Festival (JBAF).

 Pam Penick, editor of the magazine and executive director of the Tuscaloosa-based arts organization, presented officers of the Northwest Alabama Arts Council with copies at an impromptu luncheon on Friday in Hamilton.  It was Penick’s first face-to-face meeting with arts council officials, and at the meeting she was given details and broader insight into the activities and functions of the arts council beyond hosting the annual JBAF.

 The article features the photography of Porfirio Solorzano and the writings of editorial contributor Margaret Clevenger.  The article focuses on the festival’s participating artists and the arts council’s focus on art education in the Marion County area.  A limited number of magazines are available at First National Bank of Hamilton, Boyett Health Services, PeoplesTrust Bank of Hamilton, Organic Vessels, Listerhill Credit Union of Hamilton, and Funky Ladies Studio in Amory, Miss.

 The Northwest Alabama Arts Council is a member organization of the Arts & Humanities Council of Tuscaloosa County, having joined late last year to network with west and northwest Alabama arts-related groups and organizations.  

JUBILATION COVER.pdf (655.13 kb)

The Northwest Alabama Arts Council’s annual membership drive is in full force.  Headed by Vice-President Carrie Bolton and Public Relations Co-Chairperson Kimmy Vinson, the nonprofit organization is seeking new members. 

Created in 2004, the arts council consisted of four counties – Franklin, Lamar, Marion, and Winston – but in a change to the organization last summer, members voted to reduce the boundaries and focus on one county – Marion County.

Bolton stated, “For the past two to three years, probably 90 percent of our membership and participation had been Marion County residents.  We felt we should direct our efforts and programs toward the people who supported us.  The change last summer made it easier to plan, implement, and carry forward our arts-related programs.  While we welcome members from outside of Marion County, our plan is to emphasize and support our local communities and local schools.”

Annual membership fees are $25 for individuals and $35 for families.  Active or retired arts-related educators can join at no charge.  Prospective members can be artists, or simply someone who enjoys the arts; or members do not have to be artists at all.  The arts council is looking for persons who want to be involved in a progressive, community-oriented volunteer organization.  Vinson added, “There are no paid officers, directors, or board members with the Northwest Alabama Arts Council.  Each and every member devotes his or her time, talents, and skills to whatever project we are working on.” 

The arts council’s mission is to support the arts and art education.  Most people are familiar with the arts council’s role as host of the Jerry Brown Arts Festival, a regionally-recognized juried arts festival held annually the first weekend of March in Hamilton, which generates the vast majority of funding for the organization’s programs throughout the year.  In addition to the JBAF and its art education programs, some of the areas which the council promotes include visual arts, literary arts, and performing arts.

Goals for the arts council include expanding art education programs in the Marion County and Winfield school systems, the promotion of local artists and arts destinations with the Marion County Arts Trail, and the construction or renovation of a facility large enough to house the JBAF, an arts museum, and host other arts-related activities.

Interested persons may obtain more information and a membership application on the arts council’s website:  www.NorthwestAlabamaArts.org, or can contact Bolton at (205) 468-1370 or Vinson at (205) 412-2999.

The arts council meets on the second Monday night of each month April through December, twice in January, and four times in February.  Meetings are held at 5:30 p.m. at the Hamilton City Hall, which houses the offices of the Northwest Alabama Arts Council.

Brilliant Elementary School fourth-grade participants in the 2009 Molding
Hearts, Hands & Minds program receive their Certificates of Participation
from Ed Minter, Treasurer, Northwest Alabama Arts Council,
at their school’s Awards Day program.