HANCEVILLE, Ala. – The Evelyn Burrow Museum at Wallace State Community College announces its newest exhibition, “Art and the Animal” on view through April 15. The exhibition is made possible through community support from Cullman Savings Bank, Lee’s Veterinary Hospital, St. John & St. John, LLC., Culpepper Real Estate, Bill Floyd – State Farm, Armosa Studios, Buettner Bros. Lumber Co. Inc., and others.
“Art and the Animal” is the flagship exhibition of The Society of Animal Artists, which is regarded worldwide as the most prestigious artist membership organization dedicated to the theme of animals in art. Founded in 1960, Society members come from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America.
“This is a wonderful follow-up to our recent exhibition featuring the photography of noted wildlife photographer Thomas Mangelsen. We’re proud to have been selected as a venue to showcase the artwork of some of the world’s best animal artists featured by The Society of Animal Artists in this exhibit,” said Kristen Holmes, administrator of The Evelyn Burrow Museum. “Free access to exhibitions of this caliber aren’t possible without significant community support. We think this is a must-see exhibition and are delighted to host it for an extended run.”
The traveling “Art and the Animal” exhibition includes about 45 flatworks, ranging in medium from oils, acrylics, and watercolors, to exquisite pencil and ink, paper cutouts and scratchboard works, and 15 sculptures in bronze, wood and stone. Only the best animal art is selected for “Art and the Animal.” Consequently, it is extremely difficult, and therefore prestigious, for artists to have artwork accepted into the exhibition.
“Though we portray our subjects on many different mediums, sizes and styles, we share the same vision, that of shining a spotlight on the environment that surrounds us by depicting the biological diversity that makes our planet amazing,” writes Renee Bemis, president of the Society of Animal Artists, in the exhibition catalog.
Noted wildlife art scholar and author of “American Wildlife Art,” Dr. David J. Wagner, serves as the tour director for “Art and the Animal.” Over the past 50 years, the exhibition, which tours annually with a new selection of works, has been featured at more than 50 venues, including museums, zoos and art, cultural and science centers throughout North America.
A number works in this exhibition are available for acquisition after the tour, which continues from Wallace State to the Stamford Museum, in Connecticut.
The Evelyn Burrow Museum is located in the Burrow Center for the Fine and Performing Arts on the Hanceville campus of Wallace State Community College. Admission is free. The museum is open Tuesday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, call 256-352-8457, email burrowmuseum@wallacestate.edu, or visit www.burrowmuseum.org.
