 2013 photo of O'Connor Art Studios, moving into the space. Six years ago this "new" studio in the heart of downtown Tuscaloosa was pretty much empty! Now filled to the edges with a variety of projects, past works AND evidence of new beginnings, co-owners Caleb & Ruth O'Connor think about their journey to this point. "It's hard to imagine we could EVER out-grow the space.... but we have!" says Ruth O'Connor, co-owner of O'Connor Art Studios. She expresses her gratitude for all they were able to accomplish in this space together, and is excited for what's to come next. Since last year, Ruth's educational programs and efforts have expanded to reach outside these walls and she hopes to continue to grow her programs and involvement in the community. In the meantime, Caleb is also working on projects that will also reach spaces outside the studio walls with three major public art works.
EXCITING STUFF for the 2019 year!
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December 2018 HOLIDAY EVENT coming soon.....  We are set! Our local artists are now registered and getting ready for the big show. Join us Saturday, Dec. 15 from 5-7pm. NEW: This year we'll be hosting this special event at the Historic Drish House in downtown Tuscaloosa. What a beautiful space for such a special event (and easy parking!) -- Every year we have requests for a preview of the art and pre-purchasing opportunities, but NO, we do NOT offer it. Fair chance for all. Come at 5pm that evening of the event for your best chance to purchase that special piece.
On the coldest Tuscaloosa morning we can remember, and after two “snow days” of cancelled school and closed businesses, these two studio assistants get a big task accomplished in just a few hours. Pick up, transport and build our scaffolding last used during the creation of the Federal Courthouse Murals.... completed over four years ago! Getting ready for another big canvas (seen in the background) and thankful for such great energy in the studio.
More than 70 Chamber members and community leaders traveled to Greenville, South Carolina, July 23-25, for the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama's inaugural benchmarking trip. Click for Chamber of Commerce Article.  Details of artwork shown here are by some of Greenville's local artists: Starr Haney, Cindy Hammond, Blake Smith, Jo Carol Mitchell-Rogers, Diane Kilgore Condon and Cassia Abbott. Current display at the office of Metropolitan Arts Council where a monthly show hangs. This year marks a special year for those of us in Tuscaloosa. A group of business leaders and elected officials, lead by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, visited a comparable community and examined its economic development successes and challenges in hopes of applying its lessons to our region. O'Connor Art Studios was able to participate on this benchmark trip and what a wonderful trip it was!
Needless to say, we saw lots of art, e v e r y w h e r e. Greenville has a wide range of public works of art in their main downtown area.... sculpture in every variety, some small (little bronze mice sculptures for you to find throughout main street) and many much larger than life, including their suspension bridge which is a work of art in itself. Hmmm..... Think art plays a big role in this whole thing? !!!! O'Connor Art Studios hopes to help the public works of art continue to grow in Tuscaloosa and beyond! #yeahTHATgreenville Making connectionsComic book artist Elise Strong visits our Teen Drawing Camp this summer. Fantastic presentation, making connections between traditional realism and fantasy.
Over a year ago, Caleb O'Connor had a vision of honoring this amazing athlete. Last month, the vision became real as he began building up the armature and sculpting Deontay Wilder's anatomy in clay at O'Connor Art Studios. The sculpture has progressed incredibly quickly and excitement is in the air! Visit our studio Friday, March 3rd, 5:30-8:30pm for the last public viewing of this incredible clay sculpture before the mold process begins. The next step? Bronze casting of the Bronze Bomber. On December 2nd, we hosted the First Annual Local Artists Holiday Art Sale in conjunction with the monthly First Friday. We invited a dozen or so artists from the Tuscaloosa area to showcase their work in our studio. Each one who participated had never shown their work at O'Connor before, and one hundred percent of sales went directly back to the artists to support their work. Many of the pieces will be on display and for sale in the studio until this Friday, December 16th. If you're still looking to find the perfect Christmas gifts for the special people on your list and you'd like to shop local and support artists in our area we invite you to stop by and browse these unique pieces of art! Call us at (205) 396-9892 with questions about what may be available or for hours. To see more from the participating artists view their individual websites or Facebook pages through the links below. www.triciaschusterart.com www.weavingalabama.com https://m.facebook.com/elles.beles.3 KarenJacobs.com http://kierstenellis.wixsite.com/kierstenellis Www.sarahannaustin.com www.facebook.com/TonyBrockPainterofStuff www.sydneygruber.com |
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