#wmaINSPIRED

Get to know Path of Entry artist Bethany Johnson The exhibition Path of Entry was to have opened at WMA this spring, but due to the temporary closure of the museum, it was postponed until next year. The group show, featuring artists from around the world and guest curated by Chintia Kirana, was inspired by […]

Above Image: Lily Reeves, from her series Spirit Kin, Image courtesy the artist WMA artist-in-residence Lily Reeves was to have launched her new project Spirit Kin in the Wiregrass this spring. Due to the museum’s temporary closure and travel restrictions, the residency became a virtual one, and Reeves presented her work during an artist takeover of WMA’s Instagram account May […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – May 14, 2020 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce it has received $35,000 from The Daniel Foundation of Alabama. The award for operations funding is the second installment of a three-year grant agreement with the museum totaling $105,000. During the museum’s temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic […]

“The arts benefit patients, their caregivers, and the systems that provide the care—saving money, reducing pain medication needs and the length of hospital stays, strengthening immune levels, decreasing depression, increasing memory and cognitive function, and improving communication and behavioral skills.” While ongoing research supports the role of the arts in medical environments, we at WMA […]

Beverly West Leach’s work is currently on display at WMA, in the exhibition Telling on Myself: Recent Works by Beverly West Leach. Due to the museum’s temporary closure, the exhibition has been extended through September 2020. Here she discusses her work in more detail. What inspires you most? Well, many things and topics inspire me, […]

We miss you! But, our team at WMA is working hard at home to connect you with important art, artists, and ideas of our time. In accordance with health and safety guidelines,WMA is unable to reopen at this time and we are carefully considering when and how we may begin to reopen while ensuring the […]

Arts organizations overwhelmingly agree: Technology and social media have made art a more participatory experience, and have helped make art audiences more diverse1. What happens when technology and social media are the primary ways to engage with art? WMA is responding rapidly to offer its community ways to engage with, learn from, and connect with […]

Dear Friends and Members, As I write this letter to you, we find ourselves in uncertain times. The COVID-19 pandemic has been in the news for several months now, and like our art and museum colleagues around the world, we have been following the news closely. The arts are often an outlet during times of […]

At WMA, we’re keeping you in mind. Per the March 27, 2020 order from Governor Kay Ivey, WMA will remain temporarily closed to the public past the museum’s previously published reopening date of April 8th. As we await further notice from state and federal public health authorities on appropriate steps to take in the prevention […]

While WMA is temporarily closed to the public, we want to stay in touch with all of you!  We are working from home to update online resources that will help you and your family stay connected with us, learn something new, and be #wmaINSPIRED until we can open the doors at 126 Museum Avenue again. […]

Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) today announced that, effective Tuesday at 5 p.m., the museum will temporarily close to the public to help contain the spread of COVID-19. WMA is dedicated to the art, artists, and ideas of our time and believes that museums are places of reflection and inspiration, and play a critical role […]

WMA values the safety and well-being of our visitors, and we make every attempt to keep the museum open and accessible to all. It is for this reason that we are carefully monitoring the news about the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), and we have begun to implement safety measures recommended by the Centers for Disease […]

Do you know how your advocacy for the arts affects funding opportunities for artists and students at WMA? Learn more about WMA’s impact in our region this month, and join WMA’s efforts to advocate for the arts by participating in Arts Advocacy Day with us on March 31st! In 2020, WMA will support 49 artists […]

“He doesn’t like doing art projects, so don’t be offended if he doesn’t participate,” Cindy said with a sweet smile as she rushed to set up the generous snack offerings for the evening. The gentleman she spoke of was sitting off to the side, at a table away from the group. Never one to back […]

Did you know that 68% of all tourism in the U.S. is driven by art, cultural heritage, and history?¹ Tourism drives economic growth, strengthens regional identity, and increases human connection. Importantly, cultural tourists spend nearly twice as much as other travelers, creating greater impact in the areas they visit! Last month, WMA opened two new […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – January 29, 2020 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce it has launched the WMA App for Apple and Android mobile devices. WMA worked with PushCrankPress (PCP), a Dothan-based design agency, to develop the app to deliver additional content about exhibitions, artists, and programming to both museum guests and offsite users. […]

Dear Friends of WMA: We at Wiregrass Museum of Art care deeply about making the art and programming we share meaningful to you, our community, and all our visitors. But we need your help! To learn more about how visitors like you engage with us, we are participating in a national survey of museum-goers, sponsored […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – January 9, 2020 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce it will feature work from two Alabama artists during its winter quarter of exhibitions. Jenny Fine’s Synchronized Swimmers and Beverly West Leach’s Telling on Myself are set to open on January 16 at Art After Hours (5:30-8 p.m.) […]

Did you know that a single field trip to an art museum can help students learn new skills? A recent study from The National Art Education Association (NAEA) Museum Education Division and its partner, the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), shows that inquiry-based field trip experiences at an art museum help students learn crucial […]

Dear Members and Friends,  I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the core values that drive decision making at the Wiregrass Museum of Art. We’re dedicated to providing our community with exceptional experiences and believe in the transformative power of art. Our permanent collection, a diverse exhibition schedule, and digital access to unique works of […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – December 17, 2019 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce it has been awarded two grants totaling $11,200 from the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Two equal awards of $5,600 will be used to support WMA’s public art programming and new artist residencies in 2020, as well […]

Did you know the arts make every phase of life better and more fulfilling, and that learning through the arts has proven benefits for participants at all stages of life? In early childhood, the arts can boost IQ and get kids school-ready1. For older adults, arts participation also leads to better physical and mental health, higher […]

Wallace Community College – Dothan (WCCD) Foundation, the Heersink Family Foundation, and the Wiregrass Museum of Art are partnering to showcase the work of artists living and working in the tri-state region including Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Caring for the Wiregrass through Art will serve as a touchstone for WCCD Health Science programs. Artists participating in Caring […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – November 5, 2019 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce it was awarded a bronze medal in the Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) Technology Competition for digital marketing. Award winners were recognized at the organization’s annual conference, held this year from October 20-23 in Charleston, South Carolina. “The Southeastern Museum […]

Did you know the arts play a significant role in regional economic development? The arts spark growth and innovation by creating a fast-growth, dynamic business sector; helping mature industries become more competitive; providing critical ingredients for innovative places; catalyzing community revitalization; and delivering a better prepared workforce.1 At the Wiregrass Museum of Art, we’re grateful […]

This summer, WMA’s communications intern, Harley Masoner, set out to learn more about ceramic artist Jessica Smith, whose exhibition, In Flux, is on display in the Dove Gallery through the end of the year. Smith will teach a Visiting Artist Workshop on Saturday, November 16. In the one-day class, students will create a functional plate […]

Did you know visual art empowers people by making space for needed conversation? Art helps us critically and creatively imagine our communities.1 Students recently experienced this kind of empowering conversation in action at WMA. During 17 summer field trips to the museum, 664 students took in Carolyn DeMeritt’s portraits of Native American tribe members as part […]

Museum will receive more than $77,000 from this year’s tournament DOTHAN, Alabama – October 15, 2019 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce it was selected as one of ten organizations nationwide to receive proceeds from the 30th Annual Michelin Charity Golf Tournament, which was held October 7 in Greenville, South Carolina. WMA […]

Today, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, is being honored as communities across the US thoughtfully reexamine our national history, critically question privileged Western narratives, and celebrate the native peoples of North America.     To help mark the occasion and contribute to the national conversation, Cary Norton and I are delighted to guest here on #wmaINSPIRED and share photographs […]

WMA is supported by the regional business community, and welcomed PRemployer, Inc., a division of PR Companies, to its corporate member program this past spring. We spoke with Mary Beth Maddox, Senior Executive Vice President of Personnel Resources, about the company’s values and vision. PRemployer, Inc. generously gives at the Supporter level. WMA: Tell us […]

Dear Friends and Members, The Wiregrass Museum of Art is where inspiration and creativity thrive each and every day. We are a place where learning is fun and children can explore new ideas; we are a platform for artists to activate new ideas; and we provide space where the community gathers to share their stories. […]

Online platform aims to help K-12 teachers meet state art standards in the classroom DOTHAN, Alabama – October 1, 2019 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce the launch of the Educator’s Lair, an online platform that serves as a resource for all K-12 educators. The blog, created by WMA’s education department, will […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – September 24, 2019 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce that the Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA) has awarded the museum a combined grant in the amount of $10,000 for an upcoming exhibition and an annual youth education program. The award designates $3,800 for a 2020 exhibition […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – September 6, 2019 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce that Dothan City Schools (DCS) has awarded WMA a contract in an amount not to exceed $50,000 to fund educational field trips for two area schools during the 2018-19 academic year, as well as professional development for school educators. […]

Film photographer Sean Crutchfield spends hours each day traveling down dirt roads and blue highways, exploring rural communities near his home in Graceville, Florida. He peers through the lens of his Leica M3 camera, swapping out lenses and types of film to see the variety of images he can capture, noticing physical reminders of the […]

WMA is generously supported in part by the regional business community through its corporate member program. We sat down with Zach Swan of Mural City Coffee Company last month to talk about their company’s culture and priorities. Mural City Coffee Company is family owned and operated (Darrin and Gina Swan) and is a Supporter level […]

Saturday evening, August 10th found WMA’s garden filled with hundreds of people enjoying live music, art demonstrations, amazing food, and the occasional cool breeze during Yard Party for Art, the museum’s annual one-night celebration of its mission to bring engaging art and accessible educational programming to the Wiregrass. The crowd was treated to four incredible […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – July 30, 2019 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce that Yard Party for Art (YPA) will return to the museum’s garden on Saturday, August 10, 2019. The annual, one-night art and music festival, billed as “the hottest party of the year,” will include a diverse lineup of live, original music from regional musicians,art demonstrations, an interactive virtual-reality experience, yard games, great drinks, […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – July 18, 2019 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce the opening of its summer exhibitions, “As Long as the Waters Flow: Native Americans in the South and East,” featuring photographs of Native American communities by Carolyn DeMeritt; “Sight Lines,” a multi-media installation by artists Katie Hargrave and Meredith Lynn; and […]

Dear Friends and Members,  We are in full swing for summer at WMA, with new exhibitions being installed, a total of 12 summer camps including in-house and outreach programs, and #theHOTTESTpartyoftheyear.  We’re halfway through summer camp programming this year and we’ve already seen hundreds of students. In-house camps have provided opportunities for students to create […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – July 2, 2019 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce it has received a multi-year grant award for operations funding totaling $105,000 from The Daniel Foundation of Alabama. The museum will receive $35,000 per year from the foundation for three years — 2019, 2020 and 2021. WMA has […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – June 18, 2019 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce it has received three separate grant awards totaling $15,800 to be used for existing art education programs in the coming year. WMA received a $9,300 micro-grant award from Wiregrass Foundation for summer outreach camps with partner organizations, as well […]

Even with WMA’s spring quarter still in full swing, the museum’s staff is hard at work making final arrangements for summer exhibitions. Included in the upcoming schedule is Sight Lines, a collaborative project by artists Katie Hargrave and Meredith Lynn, that “explores the mediation of nature through the lens, the vehicle, air conditioning–through modern machines.”  […]

WMA’s exhibition Carlton Nell: Compositions showcases large-scale, abstracted landscapes by artist Carlton Nell. Nell is a professor at Auburn University and his paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries nationwide and are included in various public and private collections. His illustrations have appeared in numerous publications, most recently on the cover of the historical […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – May 10, 2019 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce it has received a capital project grant award exceeding $50,000 from Wiregrass Foundation to upgrade technological capabilities to better serve the broad needs of the public and daily museum visitors. The award will be used to purchase devices, […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – April 11, 2019 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce the opening of Continuum: 1808-2017/Goya to Erdreich on the evening of Thursday, April 18 at WMA’s spring quarter Art After Hours event. The exhibition, comprised of a series of mixed-media works by artist Beverly Erdreich, takes an unflinching look at […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – April 4, 2019 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce that Birmingham, Alabama-based photographers Cary Norton and Jared Ragland, collectively known as GUSDUGGER, will be in residence at WMA April 18-20. The residency, a regional extension of Norton and Ragland’s project Where You Come From is Gone, will […]

Dear Friends and Members, WMA has seen tremendous growth in the past year, including a 13% increase in quarterly attendance from this time last year, a 72% increase in student artwork submissions for Youth Art Month, and a 24% increase in member households and 126% increase in corporate membership. These are exciting times at your […]

Sheri Schumacher is a designer and educator whose work is at the interface of architecture, public-interest design, and craft practices. In her WMA exhibition, textile | assemblage | place,  Schumacher sets out to “map” the sensory experience of place by recording cultural landscapes with textiles. Schumacher uses repurposed materials, including linens and clothing in her work, often combining them […]

WMA had a chance to sit down and chat with artist Sydney A. Foster this past January while she was in Dothan installing her current exhibition, Walks in the South. In 2016, while walking through downtown Montgomery on her lunch break, Sydney was compelled to begin photographing people she met along the way. The series, […]

The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce it has received grant awards totaling $9,000 from the Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA), The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Publix Supermarket Charities, and Dothan Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics to support Youth Art Month, a national program held annually to recognize […]

WMA is supported by companies throughout diverse sectors, from construction and transportation, to banking and architecture, and more. We spoke with Vimal Patel, a young professional in the hospitality and real estate industries, about his support for the museum through his companies. Vimal also serves as an officer on WMA’s Board of Trustees. Econo Lodge […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – January 16, 2019 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art is pleased to announce the opening of Home: Where I Live on the evening of January 17 at Art After Hours. Home explores the unique perspective of Dothan and Wiregrass area citizens that are either homeless or housing insecure. Artists were each given a […]

Dear Friends and Members, January marks a new year at WMA, and we have created a number of programs to inspire you throughout the year. From new exhibitions, to classes and workshops for all ages, and extended hours with Third Thursday every month, there is always an opportunity to enjoy the museum. Remember, WMA is […]

We recently asked Birmingham, Alabama-based artist Charity Ponter a few questions about her exhibition, Ground Beneath My Feet: Collaborative Portraits with Visual Artists in My Hometown, on display now in the Coleman Gallery at WMA. She published the series of photographs that make up the show in a book by the same name earlier this year, a […]

WMA is hosting a unique exhibition this quarter, and there are only a few more days to take it all in. Echoes: A response to objects in WMA’s permanent collection by the Alabama Women’s Caucus for Art  is the first exhibition in WMA’s history to feature artworks created in response to or inspired by pieces in […]

The Wiregrass Museum of Art made it through Hurricane Michael with very little damage and just a couple of days without power. The staff would like to thank the City of Dothan (especially for the generator to run portable dehumidifiers and fans in the vault), the utilities crews, the local media, and everyone who has […]

WMA’s regional reach extends beyond Alabama, touching residents in the Florida panhandle and southwest Georgia. One out-of-state corporate member, Georgia-Pacific, understands the regional draw of the museum, and supports its mission to serve the tri-state area. We spoke with Peggy Jaye, Public Affairs Manager, about their company’s philanthropy toward arts and culture in the Southeast. […]

The Wiregrass Museum of Art is pleased to announce two exhibition award winners for the recently closed B18: Wiregrass Biennial. The Judge’s Prize will be given to Elysia Mann for her weaving, Reading Narcissus; and the People’s Choice Award goes to Chiharu Roach for her painting, My American Ears. The Judge’s Prize winner was chosen by Douglas Pierre Baulos, […]

Dear WMA Members and Friends, As we come to the end of a very busy summer at the museum, I hope that you had a chance to visit us during one of our many programs or events. We hosted over 330 students during summer camps this year and have been planning new classes and workshops […]

WMA asked several of the 41 artists whose work is currently on display in B18: Wiregrass Biennial to answer questions about their artistic practice. This is the last post in our five-part series of B18 artist interviews on the #wmaINSPIRED blog. If you have missed the previous four, you can find them archived on the blog. Thanks […]

WMA asked several of the 41 artists whose work is currently on display in B18: Wiregrass Biennial to answer questions about their artistic practice. Get to know them better during the next few posts here on the #wmaINSPIRED blog. Jacob Phillips – Dothan, Alabama Suspended Memory, 2018 Spanish moss, cheese cloth, paint, wire, audio WMA: Tell us about […]

WMA asked several of the 41 artists whose work is currently on display in B18: Wiregrass Biennial  to answer questions about their artistic practice. Get to know them better during the next few posts here on the #wmaINSPIRED blog. Amy Fleming – Tallahassee, Florida Florence, 2018 Screen print, drawing WMA: Tell us about your work in B18. […]

WMA asked several of the 41 artists whose work is currently on display in B18: Wiregrass Biennial  to answer questions about their artistic practice. Get to know them better during the next few posts here on the #wmaINSPIRED blog. Vivian Liddell – Athens, Georgia Troll with Talisman, 2016 Soft sculpture with embroidered fabric, googly eyes, and synthetic […]

WMA asked several of the 41 artists whose work is currently on display in B18: Wiregrass Biennial  to answer questions about their artistic practice. Get to know them better during the next few posts here on the #wmaINSPIRED blog. Tom Wegrzynowski – Tuscaloosa, Alabama The Death of Caesar, 2017 Oil on canvas WMA: Tell us about your […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – September 11, 2018 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce it has been awarded $20,000 from the Alabama Bicentennial Commission in support of Stories of the Wiregrass, a collaborative project to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Alabama’s statehood. Previous funding for bicentennial activities was awarded from the Alabama […]

What does it take to run a museum? Sarah Ivey and Brandon Rice got a behind-the-scenes look this summer as they completed internships at WMA. The two art students from Troy University’s main campus gained experience serving as docents, assisting in summer camps, installing exhibitions, and volunteering at museum events. WMA’s staff loved working with […]

On Saturday, August 11, with the support of our community, the Wiregrass Museum of Art turned its garden into a summertime oasis at Yard Party for Art. It was a beautiful evening of music, art, entertainment, and food and drinks. Yard Party for Art goes beyond just one night. This year’s proceeds will fund innovative […]

The corporate member program at WMA is supported by diverse industries across the Wiregrass business community; what unifies them all is their belief in WMA’s ability to be a cultural-gathering place for local residents. Leila Smith, Vice President and Branch Manager of SunSouth Bank, spoke with WMA about how the arts can impact communities in […]

Dear Friends and Members, It is officially the summer season, and the museum is buzzing with activity. As I write this letter, I keep reflecting on the students in our first summer camp last week, learning about what we do behind the scenes, before heading to our studio to make unique pieces inspired by works […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – July 3, 2018 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA), in partnership with the City of Dothan, is pleased to announce it has selected mural artist Cosby Hayes to serve as an artist-in-residence in Dothan from June 1 through August 31 to gather community input for the City’s Highway 84 East corridor improvement project. The […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Andi Martin, Alabama Bicentennial Commission 334-242-5864, andi.martin@bicentennial.alabama.gov Wiregrass Museum of Art Hosts Alabama History Institute, June 18-21 Montgomery, AL (June 18, 2018) – The Wiregrass Museum of Art in Dothan will host an Alabama History Institute (AHI) for grades 3-5 teachers and administrators entitled Our Roots Run Deep: Digging Up Alabama’s Rich Farming History. Sponsored by the Alabama Bicentennial Commission and the Alabama […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – May 15, 2018 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA), in partnership with the City of Dothan, is pleased to announce a Call for Artists for a summer residency to take place between June 1 and August 31 to study transportation needs along the U.S. 84 East corridor — a stretch of highway […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – April 26, 2018 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce it has received two grants for youth art education totaling $10,000. A $5,000 award from Wiregrass Foundation will fund WMA’s six summer camp offerings, as well as outreach camps to the Hawk Houston Youth Enrichment Center and the […]

DOTHAN, Ala. – April 11, 2017- The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) announces the opening of “Alabama Reckoner,” featuring the work of Birmingham-based artist Douglas Pierre Baulos. The exhibition is an exploration of Baulos’ process-driven work and the role the state of Alabama plays in his art. “Alabama Reckoner” will present twelve mixed-media portraits of […]

WMA’s corporate members believe in the transformative power of art, and are committed to supporting the museum’s programs and exhibitions. We chatted with Beau Benton, President of LBA, about their company’s role in the Wiregrass community. LBA supports WMA as a Supporter level corporate member. WMA: What would you like our other corporate members and […]

Dear WMA Members and Friends, WMA is a place to be inspired, to learn, and to gather as a community year-round. This quarter we are making meaningful connections through new exhibitions, programs, and initiatives that are bringing artists and ideas together, right here in the Wiregrass. Last quarter I mentioned to you all that we […]

To coincide with the national celebration of Youth Art Month and WMA’s exhibition, we hosted our first ever Youth Write Night, inviting 7th-12th grade students to share an original written work. The night was a wonderful success with 15 students presenting! Participants came out from Girard Middle School, Beverlye Magnet School, Dothan High School, Chipley […]

DOTHAN, Alabama – March 6, 2018 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce its acceptance to the 2018 Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) program with the American Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. WMA was selected into the CAP program in a highly competitive year, with 60% more […]

As an educator, nothing makes me happier than being able to share my passion for art with students. While the galleries provide the ideal platform to show incredible artwork from astounding artists, not everyone is able to make the trip out. Thankfully, WMA is able to go outside our walls with outreach programs, including Artful […]

The Wiregrass Museum of Art was recently selected by the City of Dothan to be the recipient of its annual Arbor Day tree planting. A live oak was chosen and was planted on the museum’s grounds. Dothan is an official Tree City USA community, one of 71 in the state, and the City has participated […]

WMA receives $5,000 ASCA grant for digital learning DOTHAN, Alabama – January 30, 2018 – The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to announce it has received grant funding in the amount of $5,000 from the Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA). The money will be used to support the implementation of technology […]

WMA’s corporate members believe in the transformative power of art, and are committed to supporting the museum’s programs and exhibitions. We chatted with Harrison Morris, CEO and President of ServisFirst Bank, about their company’s role in the Wiregrass community. ServisFirst supports WMA as a Patron level corporate member. WMA: ServisFirst Bank will celebrate the 10th […]

Dear Friends and Members, January is the month most associated with fresh starts, and a new year. While we are always looking forward here at WMA, and there is much to look forward to, none of our work is exactly “new,” as much of our upcoming plans center on great experiences that the museum offers […]