Letter from the Director – Fall

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.

At WMA, we know that we contribute to our community by providing valuable educational opportunities that shape students into well-rounded individuals. We teach students critical thinking skills, empathy, and tolerance; all valuable skills needed when entering the workforce. This fall marks the third year of Bus on Us, which provides bus reimbursement for all Dothan City and Houston County schools. In just two years, we have seen the number of students visiting the museum more than triple, with over 4,000 unique visitors already scheduled this school year. We have added pre-K to the program this year, in addition to K-12 students, and we have increased our bus allowance from 6 to 8 buses per school. Because of the support we receive from the City of Dothan, Dothan City Schools, and our dedicated membership, not only are we able to remain a free museum, but we also continue to respond to the needs of the public through innovative programming that bridges the visual arts and those we serve.

This quarter we are presenting new work from Zdenko Krtić – in an exhibition titled wolf-light — separating gold from gravel: new encaustic works on paper by Zdenko Krtić– who uses painting techniques alongside technology to explore the beauty in the mundane. Other exhibitions include Frank Stella: Prints from the Permanent Collection and In Flux, which features ceramic works by Jessica Smith. Each exhibition highlights our commitment to caring for quality collections and to providing space for contemporary, regional artists as they experiment with new materials and techniques.

Don’t forget about our weekly after-school art classes, quarterly adult classes, and the always-free First Saturday Family Day! We have one more Screen on the Green film this year – join us for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe on December 19th for an evening under the stars.

Stay tuned for announcements of new programs and events for 2020, and a very special interactive experience that will launch in January! There is always something going on at the museum and we hope you will be inspired to create, gather, and give this year. Thank you for your continued support of the work we do to best serve our community. Whether through your time, your annual membership, or support through your business, every contribution goes towards making the visual arts accessible in the Wiregrass.

All the best,

Dana-Marie Lemmer
Executive Director and Curator