By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
OZARK—The Dale County Council of the Arts and Humanities recently launched a collegiate art exhibition celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, with all art being produced by talented college student-artists focusing on themes relevant to the U.S., and the sesquicentennial was announced following the opening reception held on Monday.
The exhibit highlights the extraordinary talent, creativity, and passion these college artists poured into every piece, with each work reflecting countless hours of dedication and artistic vision. From beautifully detailed charcoal drawings and paintings to imaginative mixed media and innovative techniques, the collection showcases an inspiring range of styles and perspectives that truly demonstrate the incredible skill of these emerging artists.
The “Celebrating 250 Years as a Nation through Art” exhibition is the first installment in a planned series marking the United States’ Semiquincentennial. The exhibit highlights student interpretations of American history, culture, and identity through visual art.
The show is open to college students across the Wiregrass region, with each artist allowed to submit up to three pieces centered on “a point, person, event, or perspective of life in the U.S.”
A public reception for the exhibit was held on Monday, May 3, drawing a sizable crowd of attendees to view the student work and celebrate the opening of the show. Following the reception, organizers announced the award winners.
The awards were presented as follows:
First Place: Vanessa Summers
Second Place: Cambria Park
Third Place: Abby Blount
Merit Award: Pierce Bailey
Merit Award: Rachel Johnson
Honorable Mention: Abby Harris
Honorable Mention: Cambria Park
The exhibition will remain on display through June 13, 2026, so be sure to visit the gallery as soon as possible! Summer gallery hours are Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to confirm hours before planning a visit.
Admission to the exhibit is free; however, donations to the nonprofit organization are most certainly welcome and these donations help support local arts programs and future exhibitions. Donations may be made out to DCCAH and all contributions are tax-deductible.
The Dowling Museum & Rudd Art Center also has an exciting lineup of upcoming exhibits and events planned throughout 2026, continuing its mission of celebrating local and regional art and culture.
Upcoming events include “Many Voices, One Nation” from June 6 through August 8, the “Helen Andrews & Carol Luckfield” exhibition from June 19 through August 8, the 26th Regional Art Exhibition from August 22 through September 25, the Claybank event on October 3, the Vivian B. Adams Window Show throughout October, Walter Black’s solo exhibition from October 17 through November 21, and “Life’s Celebrations” beginning December 12 and continuing into January 2027.
For more information, call 334-445-6526 or email [email protected].
