December 12, 2008
The Coleman Center for the Arts is pleased to present “Collaborations” by Garland Farwell and his students from around West Alabama. Artworks will be featured in the Coleman Center gallery from December 12th through January 31st, and a celebration will take place on Friday, December 12th from 6 to 8 PM. Food will be provided by the Trackside Blues Cafe. The event is free and open to the public. Please come and join the fun!
In advance of the exhibition please join Farwell at the Coleman Center for HOLIDAY & FAMILY WEEK. Participants can make holiday ornaments, decorations, lanterns, and more! Activities will take place daily from December 8-11 from 3:30 to 7:00 PM in the Coleman Center’s workshop building. Cookies and hot chocolate will be provided.
Farwell has worked with students from Sumter County in the Coleman Center’s after school program, ART CLUB, as well as with the Demopolis High School Drama Club, and students at Hale County’s HERO Center. As a teacher Farwell focuses on instilling fundamental values of visual art, such as color, form, and symbolism, while stressing history, folk art, and traditional cultures. These collaborative objects have multiple lives in performances and public celebrations.
Farwell’s works were a central part of Demopolis High School Drama Club’s recent performance, “Murder in the House of Mystery” directed by Jody White. The play, which took place in a natural history museum, featured Egyptian urns, masks, and even an intricate sarcophagus. As part of the work students had to learn about Egyptian culture, hieroglyphics, and the function of objects within Egyptian society. Preceding the play, members of the audience were invited on stage to view the “museum.” The objects will be featured again in the Coleman Center’s gallery.
In the Coleman Center’s ART CLUB, students worked on masking making and sculptures that reference both traditional cultures and contemporary design. Farwell frequently employs repurposed materials, such as discarded packaging and containers. These modern materials are transformed into masks and sculptures inspired by African traditions. Students learn about form, structure, balance, color, and symbolism, while expanding their art vocabulary. Farwell’s community based works are a culmination of instruction, collaboration, and creation.
Please come and join the fun! For more information contact the Coleman Center at (205) 392-2005.