Albany Museum of Art Magazine - Winter 2024

WINTER 2024

Haley

East

Hodges

McCormack

Executive Committee

Ripley Bell, President

Summer Cotten, Vice President

Charles Williams, Past President

Butler Stoudenmire, Treasurer

Rosemary Hamburger

At-large Members

Margaret “Puddin” Bass

Bronwyn Bates

Dr. Jeffery Cannon

Cathy Darby

Dr. Samantha Fields

Jeanette Hoopes

Meryl K. Joiner

Dr. Suresh Lakhanpal

Dr. Jennifer Williams

Makeba Wright

MUSEUM STAFF

Andrew James Wulf, Ph.D., Executive Director

Bruce Campbell, Technical

Katie Dillard, Curatorial Affairs

Jermaine Dupree, Security

Makayla Ferguson, Guest Services

Cheryl Hendricks, Guest Services Jim Hendricks, Marketing

Chloe Hinton, Development

Jazzmond Kendrick, Operations

Sidney Pettice, Curatorial

Mackenzie Strom, Development

Annie Vanoteghem, Education & Programming

Linda Weaver Guest Services

Cover: Rob Matre, Greenwich Village Gold, 2019, mixed media on panel, 24” x 36”

Unconquerable andEnduring TheAMA’sDiamondAnniversary

AndrewJamesWulf,Ph.D. ExecutiveDirector

Happy New Year, Friends!

I hope this message finds each of you in good health and spirits.

As we gather this year to celebrate the Diamond Anniversary of the Albany Museum of Art, I am filled with immense joy and gratitude. This milestone is a testament to the unwavering support and engagement of our stakeholders, friends, and the communities we serve.

It inspires me to think that our museum was a bold statement of artistic expression in this region sixty years ago. Now, it stands as a dynamic nucleus that has left an indelible mark on numerous lives through the sheer transformative force of art. This success is thanks to our team’s unwavering commitment and our community’s steadfast support.

At the heart of our organization lies a deep belief in the profound influence of art in our lives and communities. We’re not just caretakers of artistic treasures, but also a vibrant cultural institution dedicated to serving our friends, neighbors, and visitors. We invite everyone with open arms, offering a wealth of experiences within our walls.

This month, we welcome the work of artist Rob Matre, a South Georgia native whose paintings and photography evoke this region’s memory via an array of subject matter, from the familiar to the sublime. Also on display are pop artist Andy Warhol’s handcolored flowers, a series of prints revealing the artist’s personal touch and an extreme departure thematically from his more famous work. Lastly, the AMA will kick off a year-long exhibition featuring a selection of works from one of its most important collections, Old Master Drawings from the Shaffer Collection

On a reflective note, since I arrived in 2019, I have witnessed our staff, board, and friends like you demonstrate real courage to keep heart and hold fast to ideals that benefit all of us as we navigate the turbulence of world and personal events. I am humbled daily to see the bright light of your humanity in all your good works at the museum and in your own lives.

You inspire us to embrace Southwest Georgia in all its depth and complications, which is the real work of an art museum with a conscience.

As the AMA grows mindfully as we envision our next sixty years, we are proud of our healthy economic outlook, growing diverse staff and board, and dynamic strategic mission and culture. This year, we look forward to further developing our future downtown site and a capital campaign that will deliver us there, a robust and original public programming schedule, and enhanced engagement with our neighborhoods and communities.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for rallying behind our vision as we continue transforming the AMA into a thriving, dynamic organization that strives daily to be in tune with the pulse of the greater Albany community.

With all best wishes for a safe, prosperous, and healthy new year,

Andy

Topleft:LuqmanCoffen,ofStoneMountain,Ga.,wonBestofShow intheprofessionalchalkartist categoryatTheHeARTofAlbany FestivalattheAMA.

Topright:SidneyPettice,Director ofAfricanCollectionsand African-AmericanArt

FESTIVAL BRINGS COMMUNITY TO THE AMA

The Heart of Albany Festival, the AMA’s 6th annual fall art celebration, was held on the grounds of the Albany Museum of Art on Saturday, Nov 4, and the event was a resounding success. The event was held at the AMA to showcase the museum and its exhibitions to the community.

Formerly known as AMA ChalkFest, the event featured professional and amateur chalk artists, but also widened the art offerings to festival-goers. Presenting sponsors were Publix and the James M. Barnett, Jr. Foundation.

Live entertainment during the day included Songwriters on The Row: Cliff Corr and Aaron Lee, singer/songwriter Evan Barber, Ballet Theatre South, high school vocalist Brilynn Nevaeh, and the Illustrious Ladies of DC, Dougherty High School’s dance and cheer team, along with deejaying by DJ Planet X. The festival attracted a record number of vendors as well.

In the professional chalk art competition, Luqman Coffen, a Stone Mountain artist making his second appearance at the festival, won Best of Show honors. In the amateur division, the team from Dougherty Comprehensive High School won first place. Lamar Reese Magnet School for the Arts was second, and Amelia Curtis placed third.

The AMA thanks Publix and the James M. Barnett, Jr. Foundation, and all of our community-minded sponsors who make this annual celebration free for everyone to enjoy. Our sponsors this year were Flint Community Bank (wristbands), Vine Vision (Kids Zone), Fleming & Riles Insurance (school chalk blocks), Phoebe (community chalk blocks), Bridge Import Group, Adams Exterminators, Edward Jones, J&J, F&W Forestry, JLA, Synovus, Albany Internal Medicine, LRA Constructors, the Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., Moreschi Pediatrics, Ambetter Peach State Health Plan, and Perfect Strokes. Our partners were WALB, The Albany Herald, Southwest Georgia Living Magazine, Retro FM 102.1, AAA Concrete Products & Materials, Smile Doctors, 4imprint, and the City of Albany.

The Heart of Albany Festival will return this fall!

THE AMA WELCOMES NEW STAFF MEMBERS

In October, the Albany Museum of Art welcomed two new staff members: Curator of African Collections and African American Art Sidney Pettice, and Development Coordinator Mackenzie Strom.

Pettice works with Director of Curatorial Affairs Katie Dillard. A curator and writer from North Carolina, Pettice received her B.A. in Art History from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and her M.A. in Curatorial Studies at the Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College. Beginning with a focus on Ancient African Art History during her time at UNCG, Pettice expanded on her education and scholarship to include the African Diaspora, studying both the ancient and the contemporary.

She continues to center the expansion and further documentation of Black history, culture, and vernacular through extensive writings and research on Black American artists, writers, and cultural critics while also highlighting the Diaspora as a whole. Her curatorial practice and focus are exemplary through her curated exhibition Gorgeous, Thrilling, Spectacle and written scholarship published by Atlanta-based Art and Criticism Magazine Burnaway. Recently, she continued her research focus by conducting archive-based research and organizational projects as studio assistant for conceptual and performance artist Lorraine O’Grady. She also conducted a small archival research project at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art in Atlanta, where she produced scholarship on artist Selma Burke (1900-1995) for their institutional record.

Strom works with Director of Development Chloe Hinton. An Atlanta native, Strom has a deep passion for both the arts and community development. She looks forward to serving the community in a way that is directly linked to those two interests.

While working in the new position of development coordinator, Strom will be pursuing a Master’s Degree in Financial Planning from the University of Georgia. She is looking forward to applying her newfound knowledge and expertise to her commitment to the AMA and the community at large.

Strom, her husband, Albany native Dr. Tyler Strom, and their three children moved to Albany in the summer of 2022. Tyler Strom has joined Dental Partners after graduating from the Dental College of Georgia.

Bottomright: NewBoardmembers JefferyCannonand JenniferWilliams.

Bottomleft: (L-R)AMAExecutiveDirector AndyWulf,DLRLead ArchitectMonikaSmith,and DLRProjectManagerRich HubackerattheSEMC.

AMATeenArtBoard membersfor2023-24 areshownattheir organizationalmeeting.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

R. Ripley Bell, an Albany attorney, is president of the Albany Museum of Art Board of Trustees for 2023-24, a position he previously held for two terms (2017-18 and 2018-19). Bell returned to the Board in 2021. He is joined on the Executive Committee by Past President Charles Williams, professor of visual art, art appreciation and art history at Albany State University; Vice President Summer Cotten, an attorney with Watson Spence; Treasurer Butler Stoudenmire, a financial analyst, and Rosemary Hamburger.

New at-large members who have joined the Board are Jeffery Cannon, Ph.D., a landscape ecologist with the Jones Center at Ichauway; Samantha Fields, Ed.D., lead art teacher for the Dougherty County School System, and Jennifer Williams, Ph.D., chief diversity, inclusion and community benefit officer at Phoebe Putney Health System.

TEEN ART BOARD HAS RECORD ROSTER

The AMA Teen Art Board for the 2023-24 school year has the largest roster since the program’s inception. The TAB has 19 members. The students from Dougherty, Lee, and Terrell counties represent 11 schools.

The TAB works on one or more projects during the year, gets to meet exhibiting artists, learns about the Albany Museum of Art, and creates outreach to their fellow students. Previous projects include collecting art supplies for children at Liberty House; creation of Student Art Studio Saturdays, a free monthly art session for teens; installation of the Art-o-Mat at the AMA, and the first Night at the Museum: Teen Spotlight Night, an auction and show for artwork by high school and college students.

Officers are President Brianna McCoy, junior, Dougherty High School; Vice President Dontrell Martin, junior, DHS; and Executive Committee members Maddi Johnson, junior, Deerfield-Windsor School; Carson Sizemore, senior, DWS, and Jeremiah Sleighmon, freshman, Georgia Connection Academy.

At-large members of TAB are Jayla Julion Carmichael, junior, DHS; Samantha Collins, senior, Lee County High School; Catibrie Gilbert, senior, Iman Alora Hakima, freshman, Homeschool; LCHS; Chas Jackson, junior, Georgia Cyber Academy; Cora Pearl James, junior, Byne Christian School; Na’Eilah Kennedy, sophomore, Westover High School; Dontrell Martin, junior, DHS; Alyia Nurbhai, sophomore, DWS; Laila Seay, freshman, Monroe High School; Wade Singleton, junior, DWS; Kaitlyn Sokolowski, junior, Homeschool; Anna Marie Stevenson, junior, Terrell Academy; Precious Thomas, junior, Baconton Community Charter School, and Marissa Williams, junior, WHS.

AMA MAKES PRESENTATION AT SEMC

At the 2023 Southeastern Museums Conference, held Nov 13-15 in Louisville, Ky., AMA Executive Director Andy Wulf, DLR Lead Architect Monika Smith, and DLR Project Manager Rich Hubacker, architect, presented Museum as a Clubhouse: Imagining the Next Version of Albany Museum of Art.

Following damage from devastating hurricane-force storms in 2017, the Albany Museum of Art decided to relocate to a new home in the former Belk Department Store in downtown Albany. The museum has since engaged a team of design professionals from Washington, D.C., firm DLR to work together to reimagine the museum in its new location in the heart of historic Albany.

This session provided insights into the design process of this adaptive reuse project for creating a welcoming, inclusive, and resilient museum. Through the redevelopment of the Belk building, the AMA will create spaces that help break down perceived and actual barriers to access by dismantling perceptions of museums as elite and exclusive.

60TH ANNIVERSARY

ALBANY MUSEUM OF ART MARKS 60TH ANNIVERSARY

In the early 1960s, a group of Albany and Dougherty County residents came together to create a regional art organization that has grown and thrived over the ensuing six decades to become the premier arts organization in Southwest Georgia— the Albany Museum of Art. Today, the museum greets thousands of visitors a year with exciting exhibitions, robust educational programming, and community-oriented, artinspired events. The AMA has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1993, one of only 20 in Georgia that can boast that distinction, and is the only AAM-accredited institution within 50 miles of Albany.

The actual “birthdate” of the Albany Museum of Art predates its “official birthday” of March 23, 1964. That is the date on which the Southwest Georgia Art Association registered with the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, receiving its non-profit status. Relying on volunteer staff, the association established a program of exhibitions, art instruction, and lectures in a defunct hosiery mill.

In 1969, through the generosity of W. Banks Haley, Jr., the SGAA built a gallery in a park off Slappey Boulevard. The circular brick structure was the site for regional exhibitions and art programs. As the Banks Haley Gallery grew in popularity over the next decade, the first paid staff came on board in 1975. As the 1970s closed, officials with the association realized they had outgrown the space. There also was a strong feeling in the community that Albany and Southwest Georgia were ready for the establishment of a professionally operated museum.

On Dec 29, 1979, the Southwest Georgia Art Association officially changed its name to the Albany Museum of Art, Inc. The AMA also embarked on an ambitious capital campaign to build a new museum. In September 1983, a host of local dignitaries and arts supporters, including former Gov. George Busbee of Albany, stood proudly with former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter as they cut the ribbon on the new Albany Museum of Art, a $1.2 million, 20,000-square-foot building at its present location of 311 Meadowlark Drive. The museum had 17,000 square feet of exhibition space, as well as workspace for staff and storage space for a growing collection of American and European art dating as early as the 19th century. The AMA also houses one of the largest collections of sub-Saharan African art in the South.

The 1993 accreditation of the AAM was a milestone for the museum. Of the more than 35,000 U.S. museums, zoos, and aquariums, only 1,102—about 3%—are accredited by AAM. The accreditation certifies that the AMA maintains standards of quality and excellence and operates according to standards set forth by the museum profession, manages its collection responsibly, and provides quality service to the public.

In 1996, a $2.5 million endowment/capital campaign was launched and was successful. In 1998, the AMA added the Harry and Jane Willson Auditorium, along with a catering

kitchen. That space is used for artist lectures, as well as community and social events. Three years later, the 2,400-squarefoot AMAzing Space activity center for children was opened. The museum has a classroom for studio arts, enabling it to offer area residents of all ages special art instruction events. The AMA uses that space to host week-long art camps during the school breaks in summer, winter, and spring.

Along with the rest of Southwest Georgia, the AMA endured destructive storms in 2017-18. Hurricane-force straight-line winds on Jan 2, 2017, tore open the museum roof, destroying upstairs office space and allowing heavy rain to pour into the building. AMA staff, trustees, and volunteers worked tirelessly to secure the collection and artworks that were on exhibition, all of which were stabilized and moved to secure locations for storage and conservation. None of the works were destroyed, but they would be away from the museum for several years. The AMA was closed to the public for nine months while repairs were made, though art education programming was conducted at off-site locations during the closure.

In August 2017, three downstairs galleries were reopened, as were the auditorium, classroom, and AMAzing Space. Offices were relocated downstairs, and the AMA hosted traveling exhibitions and resumed a full slate of programming. Museum trustees and staff in 2017 began to explore the possible relocation of the AMA to downtown Albany. In 2018, the AMA launched ChalkFest, an annual fall art festival that was renamed The Heart of Albany Festival in 2023, to complement its successful annual winter fundraiser, AMA Art Ball.

The move downtown became possible in June 2019 when the Robert N. Brooks, Sr. family donated to the museum the former Belk building at 128 and 140 W. Broad Ave. At 53,000 square

feet of usable space, the downtown location will provide needed additional space for exhibitions, and growing programming and collection storage needs. A new strategic plan culminating in the relocation downtown was adopted by the Board of Trustees in 2021.

When the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic struck the U.S. in 2020, the AMA was not exempt from being affected. Staff nimbly adapted in-person programming to online experiences that people could engage in while sheltering. During the fourmonth shutdown, AMA officials refreshed AMAzing Space, renovated the upstairs staff offices, reopened the upstairs McCormack Gallery, and restored and improved environmental controls in the vaults.

October 2020 was a reason to celebrate when the portion of the AMA permanent collection that did not require conservation returned from storage at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. The remainder of the permanent collection that required conservation and repair was returned in April 2022 from the Conservation Center in Chicago. Homecoming, a museumwide exhibition of works from the permanent collection, marked the happy reunion in summer 2022.

As the Albany Museum of Art looks toward a future downtown, it continues to be responsive and engaging today. With important programming like Courageous Conversations About Race, thought-provoking exhibitions, free admission, free field trips for schools and organizations, a wide variety of art-centric programming for everyone from toddlers to retirees, and other special events, the Albany Museum of Art works continuously to serve the public and to be the clubhouse that welcomes everyone.

unknownAsanteartist, earlytomid-20thcentury, brass,giftofMissStellaE.Davis.80.001.231

GHANAIAN BRASS BRACELET

This brass bracelet, which became part of the Albany Museum of Art permanent collection in 1980, holds meaningful symbolism and history. The brass band, likely created in the early to mid-20th century, comes from the city of Kumasi in Ghana, a country in West Africa known for its large commercial markets. Surrounding the bracelet cuff are birds, fish, snakes, and leaf motifs that all hold significant symbolism within Ghanaian and Asante culture. These symbols, which are often accompanied by stories, lessons, and dearly held values to the community, are called Adinkra symbols that originated in Ghana, specifically in the Asante or Ashanti Kingdom. Adinkra symbols can be found typically on Kente cloth patterns or carved into wood that is usually hung on the inside or outside of the home. While the creative representations of these figures on the bracelet differ from the traditional Adinkra symbols, the piece still holds great meaning and history.

The birds on the bracelet are called Sankofa, which means “it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind” in the Akan language spoken by the Asante people. The Sankofa Adinkra symbol can be seen as a bird with a pointed beak similar to those depicted on the bracelet, often looking backward in drawings, or as a heart

shape with circular detailing that represents the cyclical nature of time noted in its translation.

Additionally, the bracelet also contains some snakes and vegetal forms, representative of the Adinkra symbol Owo Foro Adobe, which means “snake climbing the raffia tree.” That highlights the importance of persistence during a journey. Owo Foro Adobe can also be represented as an intricate pattern made with two thicker horizontal lines and thin repetitive lines, creating a zig-zag pattern between them.

Also present are what seem to be representations of crocodiles, indicated as flatbodied figures that have a tail with an intentional sharp curve similar to the crocodile Adinkra symbol Denkyem representing adaptability. Crocodiles and other animals that are able to travel both on land and in water are admired and sacred in many African cultures and traditions.

Lastly, the fish depicted on the jewelry is representative of the Adinkra symbol Bi Nka Bi, which means “no one should fight the other.” This meaning is embodied through the traditional representation of the symbol, an organic circular symbol, or two fish circling each other. Similar to the crocodile, fish are thought to be divine beings in many West African cultures.

The repetition of each of these figures on this brass piece creates a detail-oriented design likely made with the lost wax casting method. Lost wax casting, a practice that originated in West Africa, is a skillful crafting method used to create metal figures while maintaining detail. Liquid metal is poured into a wax mold and left to cool and harden, ultimately revealing the finished artwork. This process is indicative of the importance of craft and jewelry or adornment to Ghanaian culture. Historically, the Asante people used jewelry for ceremonial purposes. With the procession of time, however, jewelry has become not just a way to continue tradition, but an outlet of expression. Known for the production of both bronze and gold objects and accessories, the Asante favored layering jewelry, adorning their neck, arms, and head, and creating dimension in their dress. This bracelet in the AMA collection is a product of cultural tradition, with important symbolic figures in a detail-oriented, three-dimensional design that is deeply rooted in the histories of the Ghanaian cultural practice and tradition as well as the Asante Kingdom.

WalterPach(American,1883-1958). ViewofNotreDame,1907, oilonwoodpanel, giftofMr.andMrs. BurrColeman. 86.015.001

VIEW OF NOTRE DAME WALTER PACH

New York native Walter Pach (1883-1958) was an influential promoter of modern art and was instrumental in organizing the landmark Armory Show in 1913 with Walt Kuhn and Arthur B. Davies. An artist, critic, writer, art consultant, and curator, Pach made a pivotal, life-changing decision in 1907 when he relocated from New York City to Paris. In France, he quickly befriended other American expatriates and became immersed in the Parisian avant-garde art scene. In addition to being a painter, Pach was a notable writer and art critic. By befriending the likes of Gertrude Stein, an advocate of the avant-garde movement brewing in Paris before The Great War (World War I) erupted in Europe, he was able to meet many other artists and writers involved in the movement.

This oil painting is a view of Notre Dame’s northwest facade with the dual towers. Done six years before the Armory Show, this work exhibits influences of older European styles, such as Impressionism. This study of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is an example of the early work of Pach, who later became known for his Fauvist and Cubist styles. He created a number of paintings studying the beautiful French Gothic architecture of the Notre Dame Cathedral, the subject of many other creatives both past and present. It is likely that Pach set up his en plein air easel and created this small-scale work while sitting directly in front of the cathedral.

Feb 1 - April 20, 2024

Haley Gallery

Gold Soundz

Works by Rob Matre

Albany native Rob Matre returns to The Albany Museum of Art with Gold Soundz, an exhibition of mixed-media paintings and photographs. The exhibition will serve as a retrospective covering the last 10 years of his Plaid Columns series, paintings often made in collaboration with Atlanta artist Evan Jones. A selection of photographs made over the last 20 years will be on view, along with some new paintings made for this exhibition.

Matre’s photography exhibition Recent History was on view at the AMA in 2013, and his painting Third Avenue Oaks is on long-term loan at the museum.

In both his paintings and photographs, themes of place and memory run through Matre’s work. Scenes of Albany and

South Georgia are recurring subjects, along with other images from the State of Georgia and beyond.

Matre’s love of sports also informs his work, with a focus on the game of golf. Since 2003, he documented professional golf tournaments and golf courses around the world, including many of the great links courses of Scotland and Ireland.

Albany serves as a launching point for Matre’s creativity. His lifelong interest in art started with his passion for music, specifically with the album art that was his first source of inspiration. The title of this exhibition comes from the opening line of a song by Pavement, one of his favorite bands, which beckons

to the listener: “Go back to those gold soundz.” That line kept returning to him in preparation for this exhibition. The words played upon the notion of “going home,” as this exhibition can certainly be considered a homecoming of sorts.

Above: Rob Matre, How To Play Golf, 2014, mixed media on canvas, 48” x 48”.

Right: Rob Matre, Miss Georgia ‘56, 2022, mixed media on panel, 22” x 22”.

ON VIEW

Feb 1 - April 20, 2024

East Gallery

Andy Warhol

Best known for spearheading the Pop Art Movement in America, Andy Warhol (1928-1987) is one of the foremost artists who brought screen printing into fine art spaces. While his famed Campbell’s Soup Cans (c. 1962) and portraits of Marilyn Monroe (c. 1962) became some of his most universally recognized pieces, the AMA’s Spring Exhibition explores some of his lesser-known, though equally clever, artworks.

Hand-Colored Flowers (1974) is a series of 10 prints in which Warhol free-handed several flower drawings inspired by those photographed in the catalog Interpretive Flower Designs by Mrs. Raymond Russ Stoltz (A. S. Barnes & Co., Inc., 1972).

Warhol had his drawings transferred onto silk screens to produce multiples, printed by Alexander Heinrici. After the screen-printing process, the artist hand-painted each of the prints with Dr. Martin’s aniline watercolor dyes.

Though the series Hand-Colored Flowers has multiple editions existing in numerous museums and institutions around the world, each set of 10 has the artist’s personal touch. The AMA has editions 40/250. Donated to the Albany Museum of Art in 1984, Warhol’s Flowers present part of the range of the artist’s work, as these prints in particular stray from the typical subject matter that he is known for. Each of these works on display

has an individualized nature and an alternative point of reference for the artist who usually exhibits pop culture and commercial forms in his work.

Andy Warhol (American, 1928-1987), Hand-Colored Flower #4, 1974, serigraph print and watercolor, edition 40/250, anonymous gift. 84.020.007

Hand-Colored Flowers

ON VIEW

Feb 1 - April 20, 2024

Hodges Gallery

Feb 1 - April 20, 2024

McCormack Gallery

Old Master Drawings

From The Shaffer Collection

This year-long exhibition, composed in three parts, will focus on the extensive collection of Old Master Drawings donated by Mr. Randolph Shaffer, Jr. The drawings in this collection include many sophisticated preliminary studies required to perform a Masterwork of a painting. These drawings are a body of casual field notes, glimpses into the artist’s thoughts, observations, and impressions. Drawings, on purpose, are smaller samples of a larger instance of work, meant to be viewed in close range. Furthermore, these drawings are, by their very nature, a more intimate experience where viewers can see the small imperfections of the figures and last-minute decisions scrawled in with pencil or ink pen.

Shaffer, born in Albany in 1914, became an avid collector of prints during his service in World War II when he was stationed in Paris and London. The drawings in this collection are sourced

from various Western European artists, many of whom are largely unknown, or are lesser-known artists, and were collected during Shaffer’s time abroad.

The drawings represented in this exhibition represent a selection of the approximately 150 drawings Mr. Shaffer donated to the AMA in 1988. These selections include some of his notes on the works, which he painstakingly examined for higher artistic quality. Rather than acquiring a work because of the prestige of a named, well-known artist, Shaffer believed the quality of the drawing was more important.

This exhibition also will grant potential donors a unique opportunity to be more directly involved with the long-term care of the AMA’s permanent collection. Out of the approximately 150 drawings in the Shaffer Collection, about 90 works are yet to be framed. Donors will have opportunities to see these works up close during behind-the-scene events in the

will be framed next.

The initial exhibition from Feb 1 to April 20, 2024, will display works that are framed. Later parts of the exhibition in the summer and fall will exhibit additional framed works, as well as any newly framed pieces from these donor opportunities.

Unknown Italian artist, Saint Roche Receiving the Rosary from the Madonna, 18th century, ink and brown wash on paper, gift of Randolph Shaffer, Jr. 88.001.200

Educators As Artists

5th Juried Exhibition

The biennial exhibition of regional college and university Educators as Artists returns to the McCormack Gallery of the Albany Museum of Art for its fifth juried show. Collegiate-level educators of any subject from South Georgia and North Florida are invited to participate in the juried exhibition of works showcasing the talent from the region.

This exhibition provides teachers with an opportunity to exhibit their latest artworks outside of their current academic community setting, broadening their respective audiences. Last fall, invitations to submit work for the exhibition were sent to educators at Albany State University, Georgia Southwestern State University, Valdosta State University, Columbus State University, Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Albany Technical College, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Andrew College, Thomas University, and Tallahassee Community College.

Judges for the 5th Educators as Artists exhibition were Dr. Samantha Fields, lead art teacher for the Dougherty County School System, and Chris Johnson, fulltime artist and former director of fine arts at Andrew College.

Fields, who earned her Doctorate in Education in Teacher Leadership from Kennesaw State University, has continually demonstrated a commitment to excellence in her field. Her dedication to her students has earned her numerous accolades, including being honored as a seven-time Kiwanis Club Teacher of Distinction and Dougherty Comprehensive High School Star Teacher in 2019. For 11 years, Fields served as the Fine Arts Department chair at Dougherty High, guiding and inspiring fellow educators to foster creativity and innovation in the classroom. She also participates in various committees, including the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Talent Education and

Leadership Committee and the Georgia Department of Education District Arts Coordinators Council. Fields is a member of the National Art Education Association and The Georgia Association of Educators.

Johnson, an artist, printmaker, and muralist based in Columbus, Ga., received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from Clemson University in 2008 and his Master of Fine Art in Printmaking from the University of South Carolina in 2011. From 2013-2023, Chris was an associate professor of art and the director of fine arts at Andrew College. While at Andrew College, he began an initiative to bring public art murals to small rural South Georgia communities. Since 2016, Johnson has created more than 100 murals in communities including Albany. In 2019, he received the Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities for revitalizing and uplifting rural communities through public art.

PROGRAMS

FOR EVERYONE

FAMILY OPENING DAY & ARTIST WORKSHOP

Saturday | Jan 27 | 11 AM-2 PM

Families can explore the new exhibitions at the Albany Museum of Art, meet an artist from one of the exhibitions, win prizes from the popular gallery scavenger hunt, participate in an art project in the AMA Classroom, and enjoy creative play in the AMAzing Space activities center.

Cost: Free.

YOGA IN THE GALLERY

Saturdays | March 2, May 4 | 10 AM

Yoga in the Gallery is back, combining the environment of art with the relaxation of yoga to create a unique experience. Sessions are scheduled on Saturday mornings every other month in one of the exhibition galleries at the Albany Museum of Art.

Renea Miller will instruct the classes. Participants should dress comfortably and bring their mat.

“Yoga is a wonderful way to experience art,” AMA Director of Education and Public Programming Annie Vanoteghem said.

“You will never have the same experience twice as each exhibit will ignite something new in your meditation. Our guests will be able to disconnect from the distractions of the world and experience art in a new, more intentional way. We want our community to take the time to prioritize mental awareness, using the artistic environment to help.”

Online registration may be found at www.albanymuseum.com/ ama_programs/yoga.

Cost: $5 for AMA donors, and $10 for non-donors.

FOR KIDS

TODDLER TAKEOVER

Tuesdays | Feb 6, March 5, April 9, May 7 | 10:30-11 AM

Toddler Takeover is a 30-minute program designed for children ages 15 months through 5 years and their caregivers. It also is sibling friendly, so bring brother or sister along as well. Sessions begin at 10:30 am.

This program is designed to facilitate creative play, foster friendships and social skills, and help littles develop their cognitive and visual skills through colors, shapes, and textures. Sessions include creative playtime in AMAzing Space, story time, a gallery visit, and a hands-on art project.

Cost: Free for Reciprocal and higher donors, $5 for Artist Guild donors, and $7 for non-donors.

FOR K-12

KIDS TAKE THE STAGE

Wednesdays and Thursdays | Jan 31-March 7 | 3:30-5 PM

Students in 2nd-5th grades will learn the art of acting from longtime children’s theater director Vickie Knuckles in this series of after-school sessions that meet twice per week (Wednesdays and Thursdays) from Jan 31 until March 7. The young actors will learn movement on stage, sing, and hone their acting skills. After the classes end, the troupe will present a scripted play in a morning performance on Saturday, March 9.

Cost: $100 ($75 for all 12 classes, plus a $25 registration fee for script, notebook, t-shirt, and materials.)

AFTER SCHOOL ART CLUBS

Middle & High School Students:

Mondays | Jan 29, Feb 26, March 25, April 29 | 4-6 PM

Elementary School Students:

Tuesdays | Jan 30, Feb 27, March 26, April 30 | 3:30-5 PM

Students get creative after school each month at the Albany Museum of Art when the After School Art Clubs meet. Monday’s club meeting is for middle and high school students, and Tuesday’s meeting is for elementary school students.

In each club, the students learn the basics and hone their fundamental art skills. Each session explores a different area as the students learn techniques and are introduced to various media and materials. Online registration links may be found at www.albanymuseum.com/ama_programs/art-club.

Cost per class: $12 for AMA donors, and $15 for non-donors.

HOMESCHOOL DAY

Thursdays | Feb 8, March 14, April 11 | 10-11:30 AM

K-5th grade homeschool students learn together in the gallery and work together on a take-home project in the AMA Classroom. Homeschooled students benefit immensely from visiting the AMA, which provides a rich visual environment to address a wide range of topics such as cultural awareness and understanding, critical thinking skills, and practical real-life application of literature, history, mathematics, language arts, and science.

In the classroom, students practice new artistic techniques, grow social skills, improve fine motor skills, and foster creativity. This in-gallery and hands-on exposure complements traditional homeschooling methods, enhancing their understanding of various subjects.

Cost: $10 for AMA donors, and $15 for non-donors.

STUDENT ART DISPLAY

March 14-30

Elementary school students’ submissions to the Kiwanis Club of Albany-Dougherty County’s 43rd annual Student Art Contest will be on display in the Willson Auditorium at the AMA as part of National Youth Art Month.

PROGRAMS

HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

Essay Contest Submission Period | Feb 1-29

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words, the Albany Museum of Art’s essay competition, returns for its ninth year with a total of $1,000 in cash awards for the top three essayists in two divisions: high school and college. There is no cost for students to participate in the contest.

To enter the contest, a high school or college student visits the AMA, which has free admission for everyone, during the month of February to view the exhibitions. Six of the artworks in the exhibitions will be designated for the competition. The student then writes an essay of 1,000 or fewer words that is inspired by one of the designated artworks. The essay must be submitted in a Word-compatible format by midnight on Feb 29.

The essays will be judged, and cash prizes will be awarded to the top three writers in each division: $250 for first place, $150 for second place, and $100 for third place. Honorable mention winners will be recognized as well. At the awards ceremony on March 7 at the AMA, essayists who placed in the competition will be invited to read their essays to the audience.

Details on the contest will be available online at www. albanymuseum.com/ama_programs/essay-contest.

Cost: Free.

COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE

Date to be announced

This edition of Courageous Conversations About Race will be for high school students. There is no cost to participate thanks to the generous support of the United Way of Southwest Georgia’s Reimagine Albany initiative.

The arts play an instrumental role in promoting commentary about pressing social issues, informing and shaping the consciousness of its audiences, both globally and locally. The Albany Museum of Art conducts this series of conversations to promote an understanding about the impact of colorblind attitudes and policies can have on student outcomes and the community.

Art education scholars have pressed these issues by including critical analysis and discussion about both traditional and contemporary art practices and the ways the arts have played a pivotal role in imagining alternative ways to comprehend and transform racial understanding, bias, and equitable practices. As a means of addressing these concerns, this session aims to facilitate navigating brave discussions, placing race at the center, by using contemporary works of art as catalysts toward a deeper understanding of the intersection of racial identity, politics, and social outcomes.

Updates on the date for the program and an online registration link will be posted at www.albanymuseum.com/ama_ programs/courageous-conversations-about-race.

CORKS & CANVASES PAINTING PARTIES

Thursdays | Feb 15, April 18 | 5:30-7:30 PM

These two painting parties will make quite a (post) impression on you, and on those who see your interpretations of famous paintings by Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne. Bring your spouse, a friend, or a significant other, or join in solo for an evening of art, wine, and conversation.

In February, we will interpret van Gogh’s spectacular Starry Night

In the April class, we will re-create Cézanne’s 1890 painting Still Life with Apples

You don’t need any painting experience to enjoy this workshop, and you will return home with a painting you will be proud to show. It’s a low-pressure, high-enjoyment evening as you get step-by-step instructions. Registration covers the cost of all materials, including the canvas.

Registration links may be found online at www.albanymuseum. com/ama_programs/corks-and-canvases.

Cost: $25 for AMA donors; $30 for non-donors.

ART LOVERS BOOK CLUB

Tuesday | March 19, May 21 | 6 PM

Enjoy a glass of wine and dive into the discussion about an art-inspired novel or biography with the AMA Art Lovers Book Club. The group meets every other month at the AMA so that you will have plenty of time to read and offer your thoughts. Meetings are on the third Tuesday of the month and begin at 6 pm in the Willson Auditorium.

Club members choose the reading list each summer. The books that will be discussed in spring 2024 are Girl Reading, by Katie Ward on March 19, and All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me, by Patrick Bringley, on May 21.

There is no formal club membership, and the meetings are free and open to the public. A love for art, reading, and good company are all that is required. Organizers ask that participants register online before each meeting so that adequate seating and refreshments can be arranged. The registration link may be found at www.albanymuseum.com/ ama_programs/book-club.

Cost: Free

AN EVENING FOR ART TEACHERS

Friday | March 22 | 5:30 PM

In the style of the AMA’s popular Corks & Canvases Painting Parties, our favorite educators—art teachers—are invited to a relaxing evening of art and camaraderie at the Albany Museum of Art. Teachers will be able to enjoy a glass of wine and tasty bites from the charcuterie boards in the AMA Classroom while they recreate a famous artwork on a canvas.

A registration link may be found at www.albanymuseum.com/ ama_programs/teachers-night.

Cost: $20 per person.

EVENTS

WINTER/SPRING EXHIBITIONS OPENING RECEPTION

Thursday | Feb 1 | 5:30-7 PM

Join us for the opening reception for the winter-spring exhibitions at the Albany Museum of Art. Debuting that evening are works by Rob Matre in the Haley Gallery, HandColored Flowers by Andy Warhol from the AMA Permanent Collection in the East Gallery, the 5th juried exhibition of Educators as Artists in the McCormack Gallery, and Old Masters Drawings from the AMA Permanent Collection in the Hodges Gallery.

You can learn more about the artists and their works in the Exhibitions section of this magazine, and online at www. albanymuseum.com.

Cost: $10 per person. Artist Guild donors receive a discount. Free for Reciprocal or higher donors.

EXPLORING THE SHAFFER COLLECTION

Thursday | Feb 8 | 6 PM

Spend an evening learning more about Randolph Schaffer, Jr. and the works he left to the Albany Museum of Art. Director of Curatorial Affairs Katie Dillard and Curator of African Collections and African American Art Sidney Pettice will share a brief history of Shaffer’s life and collecting style, as well as a deeper look at the drawings that make up his collection. Guests will be allowed into the curatorial workspace to see these works up close.

Refreshments will be served before the event.

Cost: Free for donors at the Contributor level or higher.

Ave. in Albany, for an afternoon among the camellias in Historic Rawson Circle. Start the day with a talk by Tom Johnson a horticulturist known as The Camellia Man whose wit, Southern charm, and expertise on camellias have made him one of the most sought-after speakers in the South.

After Johnson’s talk, enjoy a catered box lunch followed by a tour of Tip’s Garden for an exploration of the camellia varieties that have made the garden their home. Participants will then be invited to an exclusive tour of the private gardens of three Rawson Circle residents.

Proceeds from this event benefit the Friends of the AMA’s endeavors to honor those who have sustained the museum over the past 60 years.

Online registration will be available at www.albanymuseum. com. For more information, contact AMA Director of Development Chloe Hinton at 229.439.8400.

Cost: $65 per person; $55 for Reciprocal level or higher donors.

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS RECEPTION

Thursday | March 7 | 6 PM

The top high school and college essayists will be recognized in the 9th A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words writing competition will be announced at the awards reception at the Albany Museum of Art.

The six top essay writers—three in the high school and three in the college division—will receive cash awards at the event. They and the honorable mention winners will be invited to read their essays at the event.

Cost: Free.

AMA ART BALL 2024

Saturday | March 23 | 6:30 PM until

The Albany Museum of Art will celebrate a major milestone— the museum’s 60th anniversary—in grand style at the future home of the AMA, the former Belk building at 140 W. Broad Ave. in downtown Albany. The black-tie-optional event will feature cocktails; a gourmet dinner; auctions for exciting trips, art, and other items, and a night of dancing to live music.

While Art Ball is a celebration of art and community, it plays an indispensable role for the Albany Museum of Art as the museum’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Not only does Art Ball raise awareness of the AMA and its important work in the community, the event raises vital funding that supports free admission for everyone, world-class traveling exhibitions, excellent educational programs, engaging art camps (including scholarships that reach more areas of the community), and more.

The celebration of art and community with an industrial chic backdrop within the AMA’s future home is the most anticipated event of the year. Included in the full experience ticket are cocktails, a gourmet dinner by Stewbos, live and silent auctions, dancing,

and late-night snacks. The party starts with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and continues until the last musical notes from the stage.

Those who prefer a late start to the evening can join in the celebration at 8:30 pm for the After Party. With an After Party ticket, you can enjoy the auctions, dancing, drinks, and latenight snacks.

Information on ticket prices, updates on the event, and links for online registration may be found at www.albanymuseum.com/ events/art-ball.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact AMA Director of Development Chloe Hinton at 229.439.8400 or email chloe. hinton@albanymuseum.com.

PAST PRESIDENTS DINNER

March

Thanks to the generosity of Jim Womack and Tri-State Florist the Albany Museum of Art will celebrate the work of all past presidents of the museum’s Board of Trustees. Going into the 60th year of the AMA, the Museum, Friends of the AMA, and staff would like to recognize those who have voluntarily led Southwest Georgia’s premier arts organization.

More information about this event and the date on which it will be held will be available at www.albanymuseum.com.

BECOME A DONOR

DONOR LEVELS

A non-profit organization cannot fulfill its mission without operational support. The funds raised through the Annual Fund directly support staff, programming, infrastructure, and building needs. There are tiered levels starting at $1, with giving circles that suit the donor’s level of engagement. The AMA is deeply grateful for all our donors, whose contributions are 100% tax-deductible within the limits permitted by law.

This donorship program replaces the AMA’s traditional paid membership program, which will be fully converted by June 30, 2024. Any legacy membership that was renewed before June 30, 2023, will keep its traditional benefits through the expiration date.

To become an Annual Fund donor online, visit www.albanymuseum.com/support/annual-fund and choose the level you find comfortable. If you have questions, please contact AMA Director of Development and Membership Chloe Hinton at chloe.hinton@albanymuseum.com or at 229.439.8400.

Artist Guild — <$125/year

• Attend one (1) opening reception per year for free for all household members, with discounts on other opening receptions.

• Discounts on Toddler Takeover, After School Art Club, Homeschool Day, Corks & Canvases Painting Parties, and AMA Meet-Up Trips (art camps are not included).

• Digital Communications, including the AMA’s weekly email newsletter, event invitations, and access to the digital magazine.

• Active military and their families may contribute at this level and receive Reciprocal Level benefits.

• 10% discount at the Lamp Shade.

Reciprocal Level — $125-$249/year

You receive all benefits of the Artist Guild Level, and:

• Print copies of event invitations, AMA Magazine, and special AMA announcements mailed to your preferred address.

• Reciprocal membership to hundreds of museums across the United States through the North American Reciprocal Membership (NARM) program and the Southeastern Reciprocal Museum (SERM) program.

• A discount on all camps and classes.

• A discount on birthday parties.

• Attend two (2) opening receptions per year for free for all household members, with discounts on other opening receptions.

• Toddler Takeover sessions are free.

Contributor — $250-$499/year

You receive all cumulative benefits through the Reciprocal Level, and:

• Annual recognition in AMA Magazine

• Attend all opening receptions for free.

• Free admission to AMA Meet-Ups

• Priority registration for special events.

Enthusiast: $500-$999/year

You receive all cumulative benefits through the Contributor Level, and:

• Invitation for two (2) to The Year in Art luncheon, a free, invitation-only event reflecting the closing fiscal year and looking forward to the coming year.

• A complimentary Reciprocal Level donorship for you to give to someone as a gift.

• Recognition on the Year-End Donor Wall in the AMA Lobby.

Advocate: $1,000-$2,499

You receive all cumulative benefits through the Enthusiast Level, and:

• A private tour for up to 10 people guided by the AMA Director of Curatorial Affairs.

• 20% off one auditorium rental.

Champion: $2,500-$4,999/year

You receive all cumulative benefits through the Advocate Level, and:

• One free annual limited-edition print.

• 50% off auditorium rental.

• Monthly updates on all things AMA.

Philanthropist: $5,000 or more/year

You receive all cumulative benefits through the Champion Level, and:

• One free auditorium rental.

• Exclusive travel opportunities to the Southeastern Museum Conference (SEMC), the Alliance of American Museums (AAM) conference, and Museum Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., along with other invitations to travel

AT A GLANCE

JANUARY

27 Family Opening Day and Artist Workshop

11 am-2 pm

29 After School Art Club, Middle & High School

4 -6 pm

30 After School Art Club, Elementary School

3:30 -5 pm

31 Kids Take the Stage Acting Class 3:30-4:45 pm

FEBRUARY

1 A Picture is Worth 1000 Words essay contest opens

Kids Take the Stage Acting Class

3:30-4:45 pm

Exhibitions Opening Reception 5:30-7 pm

6 Toddler Takeover 10:30-11 am

Teen Art Board Meeting 5 pm

AMA Board of Trustees meeting 5:15 pm

7 Kids Take the Stage Acting Class

3:30-4:45 pm

8 Kids Take the Stage Acting Class

3:30-4:45 pm Homeschool Day 10-11:30 am

10 Student Art Studio 10 am-2 pm

14 Kids Take the Stage Acting Class

3:30-4:45 pm

15 Kids Take the Stage Acting Class

3:30-4:45 pm

Corks & Canvases Painting Party

5:30-7:30 pm

21 Kids Take the Stage Acting Class

3:30-4:45 pm

22 Kids Take the Stage Acting Class

3:30-4:45 pm

26 After School Art Club, Middle & High School

4 -6 pm

27 After School Art Club, Elementary School

3:30 -5 pm

28 Kids Take the Stage Acting Class

3:30-4:45 pm

29 Kids Take the Stage Acting Class

3:30-4:45 pm

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words essay contest closes

MARCH

Youth Art Month

2 Yoga in the Gallery 10 am

5 Toddler Takeover 10:30-11 am

Teen Art Board Meeting 5 pm

AMA Trustees Executive Committee meeting 5:15 pm

6 Kids Take the Stage Acting Class

3:30-4:45 pm

7 Kids Take the Stage Acting Class 3:30-4:45 pm

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words Awards Reception

TBA

9 Student Art Studio 10 am-2 pm

Kids Take the Stage Acting Class Performance TBA

14 Homeschool Day 10-11:30 am

18 Kiwanis Club Elementary School Show opens

19 Art Lovers Book Club 6 pm

22 Evening for Art Teachers 5:30 pm

23 AMA Art Ball 2023 6:30 pm

25 After School Art Club, Middle & High School 4 -6 pm

26 After School Art Club, Elementary School 3:30 -5 pm

APRIL

1-5 Spring Break Art Camp 9 am-4 pm

9 Toddler Takeover 10:30-11 am

Teen Art Board Meeting 5 pm

AMA Board of Trustees meeting 5:15 pm

11 Homeschool Day 10-11:30 am

13 Student Art Studio 10 am-2 pm

18 Corks & Canvases Painting Par ty 5:30-7:30 pm

20 Winter/Spring Exhibitions close

29 After School Art Club, Middle & High School 4 -6 pm

30 After School Art Club, Elementary School 3:30 -5 pm