Making Alabama: A Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit
HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Wallace State Community College and The Evelyn Burrow Museum welcomes the Making Alabama: A Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit on campus starting this week and continuing through May 24.
Presented by the Alabama Humanities Foundation in partnership with the Alabama Bicentennial Commission, Alabama Department of Archives and History, and the Cullman County Museum, the centerpiece is the interactive exhibit that tells of the state’s history from the 1700s through present day. In conjunction with the traveling exhibit, there are displays specific to Cullman County’s history collected by the Cullman County Museum from numerous sources throughout the county.
“We are honored to be among the first counties in the state to be chosen to premiere the bicentennial exhibit,” said Kristen Holmes, administrator of the Burrrow Museum. “As we are celebrating the state’s 200th anniversary, we’re also celebrating the uniqueness of Cullman County through the artifacts and pieces brought in by the Cullman County Museum and area groups and organizations.”
The museum is honored to display the gown worn by former Alabama first lady Jamelle Folsom, which is on loan from the Alabama Department of Archives and History.
Accompanying the exhibition is another showcasing the artwork of beloved Cullman artist, the late Dot Graff. A number of her pen and ink sketches and watercolors are on loan from her daughter, Kitty Warren, to The Evelyn Burrow Museum during the Alabama 200: A Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit.
An official grand opening reception will be held on Thursday, April 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Burrow Center for the Fine and Performing Arts. A discussion led by Maurice Gandy will be held at 11 a.m. in the Burrow Center Recital Hall. Gandy will present “Famous Lost Words: Recording and Preserving Oral History,” an interactive session filled with stories and anecdotes and information about preserving oral history.
Gandy’s presentation will be followed up by ribbon cutting and reception, with refreshments, entertainment and tours of the exhibit.
The college will also host a Bicentennial Art Competition for local students in grades K-12 and for Wallace State students as well. The winner in each level will receive a $100 cash scholarship award; second and third place will receive ribbons. The deadline to enter the competition is April 24. An artists’ reception and award ceremony will be held May 14.
