“UNITED” FOR ART

Two artists.  Two communities.  Two-star quilt pattern.  To demonstrate diversity of art.  To promote cohesiveness between communities.  To rekindle patriotism in hearts and minds.

Shown with “United” are the collaborating artists, Rhys Greene and Missy Miles.

Quilts and mosaics are quite different in their history, use, and assemblage.  However, the similarities of pattern, color, and theme is evident in “United.”  Humankind is no different.  We share similarities and differences.  The artists’ hope is that this project will encourage the viewer to recognize, accept, and celebrate our differences as well as our similarities.

Bench created by Rhys Greene of Gordo, Alabama. 
The stained glass mosaic bench represents many ideas and uses.  Its concrete base suggests strength and a feeling of permanence.  It helps us feel grounded and secure.  The two-star quilt pattern is reminiscent of our forebearers and their desire to create beautiful quilts for their families.  The inherently beautiful stained glass material decorates the bench top and transforms it into a work of art.  In its new home, the bench will offer an inviting place to sit, relax, and savor the moment.

Quilt created by Missy Miles of Guin, Alabama.
The quilt represents tradition and unity.  The red, white, and blue fabrics are patriotic.  The colors of our flag, recognized for strength.  Red symbolizes hardiness and valor; white, purity and innocence; and blue, vigilance and preserver of justice.  Quilting is a form of utilitarian art.  Commercial quilting is a time for sharing of one’s stories, while making a creation for warmth.  The traditional quilt patterns have stories of their origin.  Alongside those stories are the unrecorded ones of the hands that put the fabrics together.  When finished, those stories and traditions are ones to wrap up in and cherish.

 As presently displayed, the armature unites the bench and quilt as a sculpture.  The bench represents the very foundation of our American life.  It is grounded and stands firm, as we should in our beliefs and values.  Life firmly rooted in history and traditions that should be handed down through the generations.  The suspended quilt gives the illusion of life.  Life that permits freedom to form one’s own beliefs.  Life that gives birth to the emerging energy of pride in one’s country.  Life that allows freedom of movement, thought, and the right to pursue happiness.  The bench and quilt together illustrate the profound state of being “United.”

 “United” will be raffled off on November 11, 2010, in Gordo, Alabama at the Veteran’s Day celebration.  Chances are being sold by the artists, Missy Miles and Rhys Greene, for $2 each or six chances for $10.  The raffle winner will receive the bench and the quilt.  Proceeds will benefit the Northwest Alabama Arts Council and the Crossroads Arts Alliance.  To purchase tickets or to host “United” at an event, please contact Miles or Greene.  Miles may be contacted at (205) 921-1193 and Greene at (205) 364-9290.
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 12, 2010

QUILT SHOW DEEMED A SUCCESS

Shown is Rhys Greene of Gordo, Ala., viewing a quilt made by Flora Harper Thompson, a native of Lamar County. 
The postage stamp-patterned quilt was made in 1916 or 1917 and is now owned by
Doug and Paula Reeves of Hamilton.  This quilt was one of 105 on exhibit this past weekend at the Second Annual CNC Quilt Show in Winfield.

Winfield, Ala. – Linda Addison, president of the CNC Quilt Guild, proclaimed at the close of the second annual quilt show on Sunday afternoon that the three-day event was a success.  Although final numbers were not available as of press time, Addison indicated this year’s show was larger than last year’s show, both in participants and attendees.

This year’s festival exhibited 105 quilts from area quilters, some antique, some new, in a variety of patterns, sizes, and shapes.  Throughout the weekend, attendees voted for their favorite quilts, and winners of the People’s Choice Awards were:  Faustina Gosa, first place, Sulligent; Debbie Nixon, second place, Hamilton; and Amy Sandlin, third place, Winfield.  A raffle was also conducted by the quilt guild for the past six weeks with proceeds going to the museum’s quilt and art-related programs.  The winner of the raffled quilt randomly drawn on Sunday afternoon was Bonita Cantrell of Vernon.

Visitors attended the show from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida, and California.  Addison also stated four new members joined the quilt guild during the festival weekend.  Addison further added plans are already in the works for next year’s quilt show, scheduled for the second weekend of April.  “As we host this show year after year, we learn how to make it even better.  The reputation of the show is growing and we are proud of the spotlight it shines on our quilt guild, our city, and the Marion County area.  We are thrilled to have something as unique as we do and look forward to bigger and better things.”

Anyone interested in joining the CNC Quilt Guild can contact Addison at (205) 495-8604.  The quilt guild meets on Thursday nights, 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., at the CNC Museum, located at 161 Bankhead Highway in Winfield.  Membership fees are $15 annually for individuals and families and include the quilt guild membership and museum membership.

HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL
Jerry Brown Arts Festival needs home
Minter: Wandering  could hurt future of event
By ED HOWELL Staff Writer, Journal Record

HAMILTON - In advance to suggesting a new civic center in the area, a spokeswoman for the Northwest Alabama Arts Council said the Jerry Brown Arts Festival could be in peril if it does not find a permanent home that a civic center could provide.
Marla Minter, in addressing the Hamilton City Council at its Monday, March 15, formal session, gave a report on the March 6-7 festival, noting that it appeared to go well.
As for the old Walmart building, which housed the festival, Minter said the organizers enjoy using it but wished for the building’s owner, Regi Klement, and the community that he is able to sell the facility to create jobs.
Minter said the festival has come “from crawling to walking” in eight years, hopefully with impacting the local economy.
“Going from that point, we need a permanent home,” she said. 
“The one thing that would really hurts us as a permanent festival is to not have a place.”
In eight years, the festival has had three homes: the Bevill Center, the E.T. Sims Jr. Neighborhood Facilities Building (recreation
center) and the old Walmart building.
Minter said one of the keys to the success of the festival is that it is one of the first arts festivals of the year in the nation, thus getting some of the finest artists.
“But, as you well know, on the first weekend in March you can have beautiful weather like we had last weekend, or you can have snow or hail or tornadoes or wind. The weather can be 30 degrees or it can be 83. You just don’t know,” she said.
“We, as an arts council, would like to work with the city, the county and the state and even to the federal level to start a civic center,” she said. “I think this is something our community needs desperately.”
She said that tourism is the second-largest industry in the state economy, behind agriculture. Besides the arts festival, there are many other community events that can be held in such a facility.
She pointed out that with this year’s Jerry Brown Arts Festival,  a total of 5,000 people from 16 states attended the festival, an increase from 14 states.
The overall attendance decreased from 6,000 last year, although with the economy she said organizers were still well pleased.
People as far away as Texas, Idaho, Arizona, Missouri, Minnesota, Oregon and Pennsylvania attended the event, she said.
“The sky’s the limit,” she said. “People will come to Hamilton, Alabama. People will come to Marion County. Look how many people Mule Day draws.”
Minter said there are many things in the community to promote.
“If we don’t toot our own horn, it’s not going to get tooted,” she said. “I know economically, it is a difficult time, but at some point we need to commit to taking the next step.
“If we are going to continue to solicit top-flight artists from outside the area, going to Memphis to Atlanta to Nashville and places like that, we need to have a home for our festival to bring them to,” Minter said.
Minter said that this year 67 artists from five states participated in the festival, which she said was very successful. This year a record number of corporate sponsors (55) and volunteers (30) signed up to help.
The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourism Association put ads in two Lexington, Ky., magazines on behalf of the festival. A billboard was seen promoting the event in the busy mall area in Tupelo, Miss.
On Friday, March 26, Minter reiterated in an e-mail that the lack of a permanent home for the festival--which had to make a last-minute decision on where to hold this year’s show--“will eventually harm its growth and reputation and have a negative impact on the quality of artists we are able to get to participate in the festival.”