Brimming with Talent

Elmore County thrives in the arts scene

STORY BY ABBY DRIGGERS

The Wetumpka Depot Players went to nationals for its performance of Diviners

An arts and culture mecca has emerged in Elmore County thanks to the numerous individuals passionately involved in the arts and theater community.

Alabama is a state just brimming with art waiting to be discovered, and there is an array of outlets to express the inner artists and performers within the area.

The beauty and creativity on display throughout the South can be absolutely breathtaking, and local residents of the past and present continue to solidify Elmore County’s reputation as a must-visit place.

Currently, three main nonprofit organization help to preserve and maintain the history of arts and culture in the community. Area art galleries also help showcase the works of local artisans.

Artists with ties to Elmore County formed an art guild membership at Red Hill Gallery in Tallassee. Through the formation of the art guild, artists rotate and are featured monthly while opening their exhibits to the public for free. Owner Loren Martorana has always been passionate about the arts and said he is blessed to be call the area home.

“It’s an odd thing, but there’s phenomenal art and artists around here,” Martorana said. “It’s very true that there’s a lot of good local talent, and I am proud to share their work.”

Locally operated, Red Hill Gallery provides custom framing, pottery classes, wine-and-design paint classes nicknamed “moonshine and design” and features artwork from around the world year round. New in July, Red Hill Gallery is now home to a Southern-style restaurant, Red Hill Kitchen.

To learn more, visit the Red Hill Gallery Facebook page.

Fitting for the burgeoning art community, The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery is a nonprofit organization that functions as both a museum to house and display collections and a gallery for local artists to exhibit and sell their works.

The 100-year-old national landmark Bank of Wetumpka building at 110 E. Bridge St. is the newest home for The Kelly. The museum’s permanent collection, Southern Spectrum, showcases The Kelly’s collection of local legendary talent Kelly Fitzpatrick and other significant local and regional artists.

“The historic art collections only seem appropriate from within this stunning building and I hope that visitors find themselves as immersed in the art and the place as I do,” The Kelly president Belyn Richardson said.

Inquiries can be made to thekelly36092@gmail.com or by calling 334-328-0249. For information, visit thekelly.org.

Established in the 1980s by a group of gifted volunteers who sought to share their talents with the community, The Elmore County Art Guild (ECAG) hosts a variety of monthly programs, does outreach programs in the community, hosts various shows and actively seeks youth involvement in the arts. A lifetime resident of Elmore County, art guild volunteer Shirley Esco said she is continually inspired by the arts that come from the area.

“There are so many wonderful arts and artists that come from Elmore County,” Esco said. “I always love telling people to come visit our little piece of Alabama.”

Furthermore, the ECAG hosts an annual juried winter showcase that features artists from across Central Alabama as well as a youth exhibit to encourage student participation. For more information, visit ElmoreCountyArtGuild.com.

Established by Mark Harris, The Dixie Art Colony Foundation works to preserve Alabama artists who left a lasting impact on historical culture in the state.

“The foundation’s main mission is to educate Alabamians of the artists and their work, while also inspiring future artists,” Harris said.

The Dixie Art Colony Foundation has two venues: the Dixie Art Colony Museum and Gallery in downtown Wetumpka and Nobles Ferry on the Lake Jordan site in Deatsville. The Nobles Ferry on Lake Jordan site is the original site of the Dixie Arts Colony and remained the sole site from 1937 to 1948. Tours are available at this location upon request. To book a tour, call 334-328-0703.

To learn more about the Dixie Arts Colony Foundation, visit dixieartThe Kelly's online colony.org. treasure hunt exhibit

Specializing in one-ofaddresses the phases a-kind art created by selfof coping with the taught artists, Marcia Weber coronavirus. This Art Objects is dedicated to piece is "Locked helping these artists find a market for their art and Down and Safe" by Libby Christensen provide good homes for each piece.

“It’s not work at all when you love what you do,” owner Marcia Weber said. “I really love being here and seeing people absolutely delighted with Wetumpka, Alabama, whenever they come visit.”

With Alabama and Alabama artists in mind, exhibitions have been presented by the gallery in New York City, Chicago and Atlanta.

“I’ve always been trying to sell Alabama, not just this art,” Weber said. “I felt that it was an important way of acquainting a lot of people with something Southern that they have never had the chance to see or experience and they love it.”

Weber said the community has welcomed her and her art with open arms.

“It is just the most wonderful, warm community; it really is,” Weber said. “Just filled with wonderful individuals that love art and believe that all of the arts collectively can be a big draw.”

The gallery is open by appointment by calling 334-220- 5349. For more information, visit marciaweberartobjects.com or email Weber at marcia@marciaweberartobjects.com.

The performing arts of Elmore County provides all citizens the opportunity to become involved in the growing scene throughout the year.

The Wetumpka Depot is a community theater group that continues to evolve as it participates in festivals and competitions, boasting numerous awards and recognition for

its work. The Wetumpka Depot typically hosts about five productions through the season, along with other programs but the milestone 40th season has been placed on hold due to COVID-19 safety precautions until further notice.

“The 40th season is going to be a culmination of some of our shows from the past that people loved combined with some new shows that are going to celebrate our future,” executive director Kirsty Meanor said. “We will be celebrating 40 years even if it’s into the year 2021.”

The Penguin Project, which began in 2018, is an outreach program within The Wetumpka Depot focused on featuring youth with special needs.

“(Penguin Project) been a lot of fun to have and to have those kids in our community theater and learning about the arts,” Meanor said. “It is important that we keep growing our talent and we keep growing a community of kids who are interested in the arts and so we love having those two programs.” For more information, visit wetumpkadepot.com or call Meanor at 334-868-1440. Along with The Wetumpka Depot, the Millbrook Community Theater hosts an annual summer camp for youth interested in enriching their artistic talents. “We really enjoy being able to see community members become more involved in the theater in every way possible,” executive director John Collier said. “There is no greater way than to support us then to become involved.” The Millbrook Theater stages five productions each year ranging in genres for all ages. The Millbrook Community Players are always interested in potential volunteers, along with paid positions, to help assist with the productions.

For more information, upcoming shows or to make a donation, visit millbrooktheater.com.

The historic and recently renovated Mt. Vernon Theatre in Tallassee is a cultural arts center home to concerts, performances, award ceremonies and events throughout the year.

During intermissions, the doors to the courtyard are opened and allow guest to take in the surrounding scenery including a pergola, landscaping and benches. For more information or to donate, visit MtVernonTheatre.com.

The various programs, productions and exhibits at hand in Elmore County’s array of culture presents itself useful for local citizens wanting to participate in the thriving scene within the community.