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2020 8x8 Art Show has it's own website!

11/9/2020

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8x8 Art Show
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Visit the newly launched website, dedicated specifically to this year's 8x8 Art Show, now hosted by Tuscaloosa Art Center, a Visual Arts Center Initiative. Follow us on Instagram & Facebook.  See you December 3, 4, and 5th, 2020!  
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Outgrowing our Space (a bit)....

5/29/2019

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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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WE ARE BACK!

11/8/2018

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December 2018 HOLIDAY EVENT coming soon..... 
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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.  
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Cold day, Great assistants, Scaffolding ready....

1/20/2018

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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.
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2017 Greenville Benchmarking Trip

7/25/2017

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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. 
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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
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Comic book artist visits

6/28/2017

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Making connections

Comic book artist Elise Strong visits our Teen Drawing Camp this summer. Fantastic presentation, making connections between traditional realism and fantasy.
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She won! Congressional Award given to O'Connor Art Studios student.

5/3/2017

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Eva at O'Connor Art Studios, holding her award the will take her to the state capitol.
Check out Tuscaloosa News coverage on our student, Eva Hutto and her recent accomplishments. CLICK HERE for the article.  But keep your eyes and ears open... there's surely more to come in her future!  This is just the beginning.  CONGRATS, EVA!!!! 

WATCH VIDEO HERE
Eva Hutto speaks about her thoughts during the 2017 Congressional Art Competition.  

Eva with her proud parents after the 2016 competition which won her 2nd place.  She came back to the studio with the goal of getting 1st place the following year. And she did! 
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2016 Congressional Art Competition, 2nd place Award. Painting by Eva Hutto.
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"Try To See What I See," graphite and charcoal on paper. 2017 Congressional Art Competition, drawing by Eva Hutto.
 After three years of instruction and direction at O'Connor Art Studios, Eva Hutto is holding a Congressional Award that will fly her to the state capitol! The piece shown here, won her the honor and it too will join her at the state capitol where it will hang for a full year. Eva began studying the visual arts at O'Connor Art Studios when she enrolled in the homeschooling curriculum ARTistic Adventures, a newly developed homeschooling curriculum lead by Ruth Jatib O'Connor. Eva quickly excelled and continued onto to private lessons to further pursue her individual goals.  The studio was able to work with her on the specific skills she needed to make her visions a reality.  "Eva is a very talented young lady, in many areas of study, but what granted her this great honor had much more to do with her determination and conviction that she could accomplish her goals," describes Mrs. O'Connor.   We try to instill that in all of our students! We are very proud of her and expect great things for her.  
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Art is good for your health!

5/2/2017

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Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants' Responses Following Art Making  
"Like expressive writing, evidence suggests that music and art are two interventions that may have a positive effect on psychological states... Artistic expression appears to lower stress in various health settings...."  
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​For the full article, CLICK HERE.  
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Deontay Wilder sculpture in progress

3/1/2017

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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.
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Great start to 2017: FEB FIRST Friday

2/6/2017

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