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On August 12, a group of revelers gathered at The Kelly to celebrate Kelly Fitzpatrick’s 133rd birthday–any excuse for cake!
Munching “Brazzi Bites” (Brazilian cheese puffs) and luscious strawberry cake, they chatted and enjoyed the atmosphere of the new gallery, thanks to social director Charlotte Whetstone. The big birthday gift was won by Marlene Moore-Goodman; she went home with a limited-edition print of “Dollar Days” by Fitzpatrick. (We have a few more available if you want to buy one!)
The Kelly is currently exhibiting “The Folks” exhibit and some of Fitzpatrick’s finest (including the “Hoe Down” in the photo above on loan for a year from the Alabama Department of Archives and History)
Alice Novak, Educator at Montgomery Museum of Fine Art, will be speaking on the August 17th Tuesday with Kelly about the more than 500 works of art created by Tim Burton. Why Tim Burton? Because he produced such interesting and creative movies as Nightmare Before Christmas, Beetlejuice, Batman Forever, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Corpse Bride, and Edward Scissorshand, but more important to locals is his creation of the movie The Big Fish, filmed in Wetumpka.
Burton was an artist before he was involved in film and television, and has a very distinct, almost cartoonish, style: “His [art] style is very recognizable, full of whirlwinds, stripes, seams, asymmetrical figures, winding staircases, monsters with sad eyes and weird hair. In terms of colours, he often uses black, white, purple, red…(“The Art of Tim Burton.” The Artifice. https://the-artifice.com/art-tim-burton/ ). He also uses very skinny, elongated stick figures, skeletal elements and dark themes. As Wetumpka approaches to Tim Burton Week, starting on August 25, being able to recognize and appreciate his art is welcome, especially as you may want to vote in the window-decorating contest,
To hear Novak’s talk about Burton’s art, noon to 1 p.m. on August 17, bring a sack lunch to The Kelly at 124 Company Street in downtown Wetumpka. Dessert and beverage are always provided. Be sure to allow extra time to park because Company Street is currently closed. (There is parking on adjacent streets, however, and in the nearby Coaches Corner parking lot.)
Don your party outfit, make-up and fantastic hat to join us at The Kelly for a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party on August 25 after the official cake-cutting kick-off of Tim Burton’s birthday celebration in downtown Wetumpka. The week will be full of events.
The tea party at The Kelly is on the first day. However, throughout the end of the week, merchants will be offering percentage-off purchases and/or small gifts for answering trivia questions about Burton at check-out. On Friday, 27th, find his characters live in costume and ready for selfies. That evening is Trivia Night at Provisions Wine and Cheese Shoppe. Meanwhile, vote for your favorite window dressing on Facebook. Find the Cheshire Cat hidden downtown to win a private party for four at Provisions. All week, enjoy the artwork there in the shop’s mezzanine and participate at The Kelly with your own sidewalk art along with the outdoor art up and down the streets. Sign up there to win a Burton-inspired lap quilt donated by Christensen Creations. Find Big Fish, Big Burger, and Big Beer specials at local eateries. Have your photo op at the Big Fish House on Saturday. Tell your own Big Fish story at open mic on Saturday night at Provisions from 4pm until 8pm. Finally, watch The Big Fish in the alley after dark that night.
Some of the activity plans are still in flux, so keep watching for details!
Children of all ages are thoroughly enjoying The Kelly’s art booth at the Open-Air First Thursday Markets. Some stay to make several art pieces before their parents manage to move them on. The August project was to fill in an ostrich around his eyes, and the imaginations it provoked were delightful. The photos by Carol Hickman speak for themselves.
Stay tuned for more art projects in the following months, and note that The Kelly has received another education grant, so there are more opportunities coming for kids.
If you’ve been to The Kelly lately, you’ve probably noticed a big turnover in the art for sale by Kelly Art Associates. Curator Jennifer Eifert reports over $7000 sold since May. However, one new page of this continuing journal is the jewelry. We have three new jewelry associates.
You may recognize Emily Roney‘s necklaces from the Artists Market last December. Her hand-wrapped wire pendants and earrings were a huge success. While she also paints and quilts (and home schools and plays taxi driver to four children), right now she’s concentrating on jewelry. She has several sets available and is working on rings as well. You have to see it quickly, though, because once they sell, they’re gone.
Also popular at the Christmas Market were Joanne Staley‘s earrings, brooches and necklaces. Joanne is well known throughout Alabama for her jewelry made from scratch–she welds her own silver and copper. Right now, she has some wonderful earrings for sale at the gallery.
New, however, is our current featured artist, Sais Husia, who makes intricately beaded earrings. Imagine the time it takes to construct these very original pieces! She uses semi-precious beads, studies the healing effects of the stones, and prays as she creates individualized wearable art.
Come to The Kelly gallery to see all the beautiful treasures. Twenty-five percent commission for each sale goes to support our non-profit effort.
To become an Artist Associate, see the membership page (https://thekelly.org/membership/) and/or talk to Curator Jennifer Eifert. We all support art and support each other in artistic endeavors. Don’t forget to check the art for sale on our website as well. You can pay on line and pick it up at The Kelly. (https://thekelly.org/artists/) Sales contribute to our ability to operate a community art outreach.
301 Hill Street,
Wetumpka, AL 36092
P.O. Box 641
Wetumpka, AL 36092
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