Past Exhibitions 2015

"Branching Out" And "Funky Self-Portraits"

University of South Alabama Marx Library
First Floor Gallery
August 4, 2015 – October 27, 2015

Two original art quilt exhibits by the Azalea City Art Quilters will be on display in the first floor gallery of the USA Marx Library through October 27, 2015.

A nonprofit organization, the Azalea City Art Quilters (a.k.a. Art Bee) was founded in 2004. Practicing their motto of "nO RuLeS," the members explore new techniques through individual and group projects. Their original designs are based on their own ideas rather than using traditional patterns. The two exhibits being shown in the Marx Library are colorful, eye-catching displays that showcase the group's talent, creativity, and originality.

"Branching Out" is a large, beautiful tree with outstretched limbs measuring over 15 feet across. To create this collaborative fiber art project, each of the 22 participating members took a section of the tree and had the freedom to interpret it as imaginatively or realistically as desired, using any quilting or fiber art technique. Techniques used include both hand and machine appliqué, painting, fused fabrics, needle felting, embellishments, decorative stitching, and quilting. Together, the sections reflect a wide range of artistic styles and construction methods.

"Funky Self-Portraits" is a collection of original, whimsical self-portraits created by the members of the Azalea City Art Quilters. Each quilter did a wild and crazy freehand self-portrait in fabric. No pattern was used, and while certain details such as hairstyle or glasses are accurate, no attempt was made to make the portraits look true-to-life. The result is a group of fun and funky self-portraits in a wide variety of colors and styles. Although each portrait includes a name plate, people who know the members may recognize the artist without reading the name. The group thought it would be fun for people viewing their other exhibit to look at the portraits and get an idea of the person who made each quilt.

The Azalea City Art Quilters are also members of the Azalea City Quilters' Guild, and both groups welcome new members. For more information on either group, please contact Susan Mogan at (251) 458-0246.

"Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) Trunk Show"

University of South Alabama Marx Library
First Floor Gallery
August 4, 2015 – October 4, 2015

The Marx Library announces the opening of a new exhibit presented by Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. The "Studio Art Quilt Associates Trunk Show" will be on display in the first floor gallery of the Library through October 4, 2015.

Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA) is an international, nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the art quilt and the artists who create them. SAQA defines an art quilt as "a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure." The SAQA Trunk Show is a traveling art quilt exhibit designed to showcase SAQA's diversity of talent and to "promote the art quilt through education, exhibitions, professional development, documentation, and publications." The Trunk Show brings beautiful, unique, cutting-edge artwork to venues across the United States and around the world. It is a wonderful way for members and nonmembers alike to view and engage with quilts made using a wide variety of styles, techniques, and fibers.

The exhibit consists of a total of 407 quilts, which have been divided into eight trunks containing 51 works of art each (Trunk G has 50). The art quilts in each trunk were selected to include a variety of materials, techniques, and subject matter. Each art quilt is 10" x 7" and is mounted on a black 12" x 9" backing board that is sealed inside a clear, protective envelope. All of the quilts have labels on the back that list information about the artist and provide details about the techniques and materials used to create the quilt.

Fifty quilts from the SAQA Trunk Show have been chosen to become a part of the permanent collection on display at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky. When the trunks near the end of their travels in 2017, most of the pieces will become available for purchase through the SAQA Store. The 'Not For Sale' works will be returned to the artists and the fifty pieces selected for the National Quilt Museum will be sent to Paducah, Kentucky.

"The Two of Us"

University of South Alabama Marx Library
Mary Elizabeth and Charles Bernard Rodning Gallery of Art
July 1, 2015 – September 27, 2015

The University of South Alabama Marx Library is pleased to present a new exhibit featuring paintings by southern Mobile County husband and wife art team Benno Kollegger and Regina Doi-Kollegger. "The Two of Us" will be on display from July 1 – September 27, 2015 in the Mary Elizabeth and Charles Bernard Rodning Gallery of Art on the third floor of the Library.

The show features beautiful, large-scale paintings by the Kolleggers. The exhibit showcases two unique series created by the talented couple. Benno Kollegger's series, "The 10," depicts his understanding of the commandments using the power of the human form. Regina Doi-Kollegger's series, "Uma (the horse)," portrays the emotion behind the movement and spirit of horses.

Benno was born, raised, and educated in Austria before moving to the United States in 1962. He has always loved to paint and is an accomplished sculptor. He is an internationally known artist who has had numerous shows in Europe and in the United States. His wife, Regina, who was born in Tokyo, Japan, is also a gifted painter and sculptor. Her fine art is influenced by her Eurasian heritage.

When the Kolleggers moved from upstate New York to southern Alabama in 2013, they quickly became part of the Mobile art scene. The couple brought a fresh, unique perspective to the traditional artistic themes of our area. They are now well established as popular, vital members of the local art community.

"War and Medicine"

University of South Alabama Marx Library
Third Floor Gallery
April 20 - October 2, 2015

Out of the devastation and horrors of war, medical and surgical innovations emerged which have saved countless lives both on and off the battlefields. The use of mass inoculations and vaccinations, development of lightweight and movable prosthetic limbs, improvement of intravenous and blood transfusion techniques, antibiotic medications, sanitation, advancements of cardiac and vascular surgery, and the development of Emergency Medical Triage Systems are just a few of the innovations which developed as a result of conflict. Displaying artifacts from the Mobile Medical Museum, the exhibit "War and Medicine" will highlight common medical and surgical practices used during the major engagements of the United States of America and identify how each war advanced medicine and surgery.

Located in the historic Vincent-Doan house, the Mobile Medical Museum features a collection of artifacts and resources that chronicle the history of medicine in Mobile. The collection began in 1962 with a gift of approximately 100 artifacts and documents donated by Mrs. Patricia Heustis Paterson as a memorial to her father, Dr. James F. Heustis (1828-1891), a native Mobilian with an outstanding medical career.

The Medical Museum not only preserves and displays important medical artifacts, but the building itself is a showcase piece. The Vincent-Doan house is one of the oldest houses in Mobile and one of the oldest surviving examples of French colonial style architecture in the state. It is listed on the Historic America Buildings Survey of the National Parks and the National Register of Historic Places. The house was originally a residence, which was built in 1827 by Captain Benjamin Vincent. It is located at 1664 Spring Hill Avenue adjacent to USA Children's & Women's Hospital.

"War and Medicine" will be on exhibit from April 20 – October 2, 2015 in the display cases on the third floor of the Marx Library in the Mary Elizabeth and Charles Bernard Rodning Gallery of Art.

"A Look Into Our Southern Past"

University of South Alabama Marx Library
Mary Elizabeth and Charles Bernard Rodning Gallery of Art
May 11, 2015 – June 30, 2015

The USA Library is pleased to announce the opening of a new art exhibit. "A Look Into Our Southern Past," paintings by local artists Carmel Alvis and Ainsley McNeely, will be on display from May 11 – June 30, 2015 in the Mary Elizabeth and Charles Bernard Rodning Gallery of Art on the third floor of the Library.

Award-winning artists McNeely and Alvis have created an exhibit which depicts scenes from our Southern past. The artists share a fascination with history and their chase of historical recreations involved time in the field photographing and studying subjects well before putting brush to palette. Their exhibit features paintings of the Native Americans, laborers, warriors, pioneers, and hunters whose lives created the South we know today.

Carmel Alvis has been an artist all of her life. She is a member of the Watercolor & Graphic Arts Society and the Mobile Art Association. Alvis enjoys photography as much as creating new works through her oils and acrylics. Portraying the beautiful Gulf Coast along with painting portraits of people and pets are some of her favorite subjects. Her recent works depict her newfound love of recreating Southern history.

Ainsley McNeely has always loved the outdoors, and she enjoys the challenge of capturing the beauty, energy, and emotion of the natural world as well as the animals and people who inhabit it. Her wildlife paintings, sporting art, portraits, figure work, and miniatures have appeared in shows throughout the U.S. McNeely is best known to the public for designing the 2001-2002 Alabama Duck Stamp and creating a series of colorful posters for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

"Our Neighbors"

University of South Alabama Marx Library
First Floor Gallery
January - April 30, 2015

"Our Neighbors," a new photography exhibition by Vincent Lawson, is currently on display at the USA Marx Library. Lawson has been teaching USA special courses photography classes for over 11 years. He has a strong passion for taking real life photographs that capture the still, small moments in life that would otherwise fade away and be lost. The photos in this exhibit are beautiful examples of Lawson's talent for capturing and preserving these images on film.

This exhibit has very special meaning to Vincent. He states, "It is my goal that this project will help those who have little or nothing, whose dreams have been shattered, who think that no one cares for them, who think that they don't matter. If this project can change one person's way of thinking, it will be a success. 'Our Neighbors' came about from one photograph. The message comes from Luke 10:29-37. Who is our neighbor? It's a simple question, but the answer is quite often ignored. Jesus was asked the question 'who is my neighbor?' And His answer is in Luke 10:30-37. These photographs represent our neighbors in this present day and time. These photographs also ask a question: if you see an individual in need, will you pass them by or help them? The two choices are: Empathy or Apathy. It's as simple as that. The goal is more awareness of our neighbors' needs."

This exhibit will be on display in the first floor gallery of the Marx Library during the months of January, February, March, and April 2015. All exhibits are free and open to the public during regular Library hours.

"Elements of Color, Style, and Technique"

University of South Alabama Marx Library
Third Floor Gallery
December - February, 2015

A new art exhibition, "Elements of Color, Style, and Technique," is currently showing at the University of South Alabama Marx Library. The exhibit will be on display in the Mary Elizabeth and Charles Bernard Rodning Gallery of Art on the third floor of the Library through February 2015. This collection of art features a variety of techniques and mediums including acrylics, hot wax painting, mosaics, and multimedia. The display showcases the talent of local artists Tutta Greer Cone, Gordon House, Lynda McDonald, Shery Polansky, and Linda Hall Tenhundfeld.