Jacksonville, AL – The Fourth Annual Calhoun County Community Art Show officially opened this week at the Hammond Hall Gallery on the campus of Jacksonville State University (JSU). Sponsored by the Jacksonville Arts Council and JSU’s Department of Art and Design, the exhibit celebrates the creative work of artists of all ages and experience levels across Calhoun County.
First launched in 2019, the community show was briefly paused in 2020 but has since become an annual tradition. Art Gallery Coordinator Morgan Worsham emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive space for local artists, stating that the goal is to “make the gallery experience accessible to everyone in our community.”
Open to all mediums—from painting and sculpture to photography and mixed media—the exhibition reflects the diverse artistic voices within the county. This year’s entries show a common theme of beach imagery, echoing a similar trend seen in last year’s show which featured a wide variety of bird-themed works.
“This exhibit really shows the passion and dedication our community puts into their creations,” Worsham said. “Regardless of whether a piece is considered ‘fine art’ by traditional standards, it has value and deserves a place to be seen.”
For the first time, the show includes a recognition program, with three Excellence Awards presented to adult artists and one to a young artist.
The show runs through August 8 and is located at the Lee and Jetta Manners Gallery at Hammond Hall. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. A reception celebrating the artists and their work is scheduled for July 18 from 5 to 7 p.m.
For those interested in participating next year or learning more about the show, details can be found at https://www.jsu.edu/art/hammond-gallery.html.
