Artists paint for a greater cause

Published 11:30 am Thursday, September 9, 2010

Two north Jefferson artists will soon be featured in a Homewood event that is more than the typical art show.

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The first-ever “Small Works of Great Art” invitational art exhibition and sale is hosted by the Homewood Police Foundation and will raise money for Special Olympics, The Exceptional Foundation of Homewood and the Homewood Police Foundation.

The show will be in the Terrazo lobby of Homewood City Hall at SOHO Square, Sept. 27 to Oct. 8.

Robyn McKee of Mt. Olive, representing The Exceptional Foundation, will be the featured artist during the show’s preview party in Rosewood Hall on Sept. 24.

Her artwork will be for sale along with the work of 34 other artists, including Sue Taylor White of Gardendale.

“I think it’s a great effort to make money for the Exceptional Foundation,” White said.

She has received the top award in wildlife division of the Wonders of Alabama Art Competition and in the Alabama Wildlife Federation annual show, among many other awards, according to the the Small Works of Great Art website. She is also a signature artist for Artists for Conservation.

White participates in art shows in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Washington DC and other places.

She said she often participates in fund-raising art shows because she enjoys them. She has been working as an artist for about 30 years.

“This is going to be a great event,” said Kevin Webster of Gardendale, the event organizer. “The artists are planning on making it one of the top fine arts events in the state.”

Webster said 48 artists applied, turning in 139 paintings for jury.

“Fifty-nine made the cut,” he said. “We were real picky about what we were putting in.”

He added there will be $25,000 worth of art to sell.

A guest judge for the juried show is artist Daniel A. Moore, known nationally for his sports artwork.

Webster is also a renowned artist. He was recently accepted for the second straight year to participate in the Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival in Thomasville, Ga. He is the only person in Alabama in the show.

To learn more about Small Works of Great Art, visit www.thehomewoodartshow.org.