Over the years, we’ve built a small but meaningful collection of art. It might not be of huge value to anyone else, but to us, our surroundings us tell a of story of places of we’ve been and folks we have met. Here are a few:
- Some light fixtures in my home are copper handcrafted by a friend Robert Taylor, who I have known for years. I have plans for some of his work here at our campus at our outdoor stage as well. He’s a Master Roycroft Artisan, and his technique comes from the Art & Crafts movement of the late 1880s.
- We are currently working with a master blacksmith Larry Cooper, whose roots go all the way back to Sloss Furnace here in Birmingham. His art is functional, and he makes some of the most impressive specialized tools.
- Our office has a rotating display of quilts sewn by Bettye Kimbrell, who was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts. This honor is awarded annually to just twelve recipients at a dinner in the Rotunda of our US Capitol where each honoree is ask to say a few words. In typical Bettye fashion, she thanked the committee for the honor, and mostly appreciated those who cooked the nice dinner and the team who made the evening special. Bettye was a regular visitor to our campus and a lovely woman.
Each of these artist’s work reinforces the belief that art can turn something routine into something visually uplifting. These pieces bring a sense of grounding and purpose, opening the door for connection and conversation to anyone who might visit. They provide a small reminder that the beauty we welcome into our everyday lives helps us keep our balance.
