Going to Alabama

Earlier this week I flew to Alabama to give a talk about decorating with Southern art at the Huntsville Museum of Art and wanted to share a few highlights.

The talk kicked off the Museum's annual gala week (which includes a live auction tonight and a silent auction on Saturday night).

And I had big shoes to fill, given that last year's speakers included Gloria Vanderbilt and Wendy Goodman and Carlton Varney spoke just days before my presentation this year. No pressure!

The whole experience was an opportunity to celebrate Southern art and artists with an incredibly enthusiastic crowd in a festive setting (a few snaps of the flowers and bubbly follow below):

Naturally, I also fell in love with a few pieces hanging on the walls and displayed throughout.

Pieces such as this layered work by Florida artist Barbara Flowers (detail photo below):

And pieces such as these examples from the textile collection donated to the permanent collection by Betty Grisham (pictured below):

And the pieces in one of the current exhibitions, focused on Harlem Renaissance artist Lois Mailou Jones. The examples of her textile designs for Shumacher are stunning (photo of Jones working and one of her fabrics from the exhibition follow below).

Big thank you to my wonderful hosts!