It takes all different kinds of people and all different gifts and talents to make a community. I wanted to show people who have went above and beyond in their professions and life to make a better community, but each one of these people represent hundreds more.”– Lee Nabors, Artist
HANCEVILLE – The Smithsonian Exhibition “The Way We Worked” is now open and taking crowds of people through a tour at Wallace State’s Evelyn Burrow Museum. This large exhibit highlights the achievements of everyday workers and industry from the past to the present. Another part of this exhibit comes from a talented artist by the name of Lee Nabors whose collection is entitled “A Study of Hands”.
Lee Nabors never expected to become an accomplished artist, but well after starting her family with her husband Rip Nabors, an enjoyable hobby has turned into much more.
“I have enjoyed painting since I was a child,” Nabors said. “But I didn’t start to seriously paint until much later in life. I am lucky to have a husband who supported me and wanted me to have a hobby that I loved. I never expected it to go to this level, but I am thrilled that it did.”
Nabors’ works was chosen to be included in the exhibit by a member of the Alabama Humanities Foundation.
“Kim Mitchell at the Carnegie Visual Art Center in Decatur was discussing the Smithsonian Exhibit with a person from the Alabama Humanities Foundation, and she told them that they may want to look at the hands exhibit because it goes well with the Smithsonian exhibit,” Nabors said. “So I sent him the book, and then he presented it to each county that was hosting the exhibit and they had the option to show the collection in conjunction with the Smithsonian.”
The Study of Hands Collection features 51 oil paintings of various people in a multitude of different people all working with their hands to make their community and world a better place. From preachers and politicians to teachers and pharmacists, the exhibit catalogs the work of a few to represent the work of hundreds more Nabors says.
“I wanted this to fit a cross section of any community,” Nabors said. “It takes all different kinds of people and all different gifts and talents to make a community. I wanted to show people who have went above and beyond in their professions and life to make a better community, but each one of these people represent hundreds more.”
Nabors has received several notable awards and recognitions from notable groups like the Alabama Pastel Society, Hoover Art Alliance and the Montgomery Art Guild. In a Study of Hands, the powerful message is one that anyone can appreciate whether they are those who serve or have been served. According to Nabors, those who are shown in the collection were not selected by her, but by a committee.
“A committee actually picked the people for me,” Nabors said. “Then I went and interviewed and photographed all of them myself.”
One of the paintings shown is of Nabors’ own hands intertwined with her family.
“Most everyone wants a piece that represents the artist,” she said. “Well the 51st painting in the group I decided would be my ‘about the artist’ piece. I decided to do it of my hands with my family. So you have my hands, my husband’s, son and daughter’s hands all on top of each other like a team. I did it that way because my family is my team, and that is my support and who I am.”
Nabors’ works can be seen at the Evelyn Burrows Museum located at 801 Main St. NW in Hanceville until March 20 in conjunction with The Way We Worked Smithsonian Exhibit. More information on Lee Nabors can be found at leenabors.com.
“I am thrilled to have my works shown at the Evelyn Burrow Museum. It is an absolutely lovely venue, and I feel honored to be a part of it.”
This story was originally published in the February 23 issue of CullmanSense print edition
