GADSDEN– The Gadsden Museum of Art will showcase its newly completed renovations during an open house Thursday, followed by a reception Friday for six new exhibitions.

The open house will run from 4:30 until 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at the museum, located at 515 Broad St. Admission is free, and the museum will provide refreshments.

Visitors will be able to explore renovations to the museum’s fire escape and second floor. The event will also include the dedication of the Robert J. Moore Fine Arts Studio.

The museum will recognize donor Kay Moore during the open house. Visitors can also see the Square community mural and tour two new sculptures along Broad Street and three new murals.

The open house will offer residents an opportunity to explore the improvements, meet members of the community, and preview the museum’s current and upcoming exhibitions.

Exhibition Reception Set for Friday

The museum will open six exhibitions during a reception from 5 until 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7.

The featured exhibitions include Elaine Bowman’s “The Little World,” Daniel White’s “Seven Summers,” Sonja Langford’s “Waiting Room,” Amy R. Peterson’s “Homespun Transcendence,” and Alexa Lee’s “Weather Patterns.”

The museum will also open “Past to Present: The Building Blocks of Gadsden City High School.” The exhibition commemorates the school’s 20th anniversary.

The Ground Floor Contemporary exhibition “YES, ABSURD” will remain on display.

Bowman Explores the World of Small Creatures

Bowman is a local photographer and artist who served in the United States Air Force for more than 30 years.

Her interest in photography began while she was stationed in Ankara, Turkey. Bowman worked with the base photographer and learned the fundamentals of film photography.

Her early training included darkroom techniques and developing her own film.

After retiring, Bowman returned to school at Gadsden State Community College. Instructor Alan Curtis helped her transition into digital photography and introduced her to digital cameras and photo software.

Bowman later transferred to Jacksonville State University. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2021 with a concentration in photography, as well as a Master of Arts degree.

Bowman continues to take her camera out regularly. Her interest in photographing insects and other small creatures grew after she purchased a macro lens and began exploring its capabilities.

Many of the photographs in “The Little World” resulted from her work with that lens.

Bowman hopes visitors enjoy the photographs, but she also wants the exhibition to encourage people to slow down and observe their surroundings.

She said some of the world’s most beautiful subjects can be found just outside people’s front doors when they take the time to look.

Friday’s reception will coincide with August First Friday in downtown Gadsden. Broad Street will feature classic cars, food vendors, and live music from 5 until 8 p.m., while downtown shops and restaurants remain open later.

General admission to the museum is free. Regular hours are from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday.

The museum can be reached at 256-546-7365.

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