Esther
Author Archives: dhdarby
Emma Carter Brooks Exhibit
Emma Carter Brooks is the Leeds Arts Council’s featured artist in March. The public is invited to the opening reception on Sunday, March 3, 2019, 1:30pm – 3:30pm to view her beautiful photographs of still life and Alabama landscapes. Admission is free.
Emma is a lifelong resident of Leeds. Photography became her passion after an early retirement from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. In her pursuit for peace in the midst of pain, Emma found it behind the lens of a camera in 2007.
“I believe everything was created by God and given to us to enjoy and respect. “Art by I AM” is my signature name because He is the author and creator of all the images that I capture. He’s the master of the piece and therefore, I give him all the glory,” says Emma.
Emma is the author of Southern Quotes. She is a member of the Alabama Wildflower Society, Leeds Arts Council, Friends of the Leeds Library, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, and the Sierra Club. She has dedicated many volunteer hours to helping keep the city of Leeds clean. She also organized the Leeds and Moody Police appreciation in 2016. Emma continues to travel throughout the southeast to capture the beauty of God’s glory.
Ms. Brooks’ photography will be on exhibit through April 5, 2019. You may view examples of her work at https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtbyiamStudio
The Arts Center is located at 8140 Parkway Drive, in downtown Leeds. The gallery is open during events. In case of inclement weather, call the center at 205-699-1892 to confirm opening hours.
The 39 Steps
Reply
The 39 Steps is a comedy based on the characters from the 1915 John Buchan novel and the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock movie, but handled in a Monty Python style, with actors performing multiple roles. The script was developed by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon and adapted in 2005 by Patrick Barlow. The script is full of allusions to other Alfred Hitchcock films, including Strangers on a Train, Rear Window, Psycho, Vertigo, and North by Northwest.
Performance dates are: February 15, 16, 22, 23 @ 7:00 pm and February 17, 24 @ 2:00 pm.
Directed by Suellen Wilkins with Brian Allison as Richard Hannay; Susan Cook as Annabella, Margaret, and Pamela; Stacy Lowery and Ron Landry are the two Clowns; Curtis Frost, Johnny Underwood, Lori Franks, Tommy, Wendy & Gracie Riley all pitch in to add to this comic mayhem!
Call (205) 699-1892 for ticket reservations! Tickets: $10 per person
The Leeds Theater and Arts Center – A Fun Place To Be!
Leeds High School Artists
The Leeds Arts Council will honor the Leeds High School Artists with an opening reception on Sunday, February 3, 2019, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm at the Leeds Arts Center. The public is invited to meet these talented artists and enjoy their beautiful and varied works. Admission is free.
Participating artists include Scott Adams, Jade Cifalo, Evan Cole-Tyson, Jasmine Cooper, Rebecca Denno, Raven Dozier, Jackson Harrigan, Brooke Kilgore, Lydia LaCruz, Bayleigh Ledbetter, Mackenzie Lockridge, Jackie Martinez, Jocelyn Martinez, Jay Megehee, Noah Peace, Gyrani Rogers, Hayden Underhill, and Isabella Weldon.
These high school artists work in a variety of mediums and styles. Their works reflect their interest in nature, pop culture, music, humor, and everyday life.
Their art will be on display through March 2. For more information regarding the reception, exhibit, and other Leeds Arts Council events, visit https://www.leedsartscouncil.org In case of inclement weather, call the arts center at 205-699-1892 to confirm opening hours.
Marsha Nelson Exhibit
Marsha Nelson is the Leeds Arts Council’s featured artist in July. The public is invited to the opening reception on July 2, 2017, 1:30-3:30 pm, to view her delightful paintings. Admission is free.
As a self-taught artist, Marsha has always enjoyed art. In the past thirteen years, she has pursued her art with new dedication and passion, taking eleven art courses at Jacksonville State University. Since 2011, she has been privileged to be a student in the Birmingham atelier of master oil painter John Lonergan.
Marsha is a representational painter whose favorite mediums are oil and watercolor. In 2016, she achieved Signature Bronze Membership in the Watercolor Society of Alabama. She is gratified to have received recognition for several of her paintings which were juried into WSA exhibits. Nunnally’s Noble Street Frame and Gallery in Anniston represents her as a member of East Alabama Artists, Inc.
“I am so grateful God has blessed me with a measure of artistic talent, as well as the incredible gift of my wonderful husband, who loves sharing my artistic journey.”
Ms. Nelson’s paintings will be on exhibit through August 4, 2017. You may view examples of her work at: http://www.marshanelsonart.com/
The Arts Center is located at 8140 Parkway Drive, in downtown Leeds. The gallery is open during events. In case of inclement weather, call the center at 205-699-1892 to confirm opening hours.
Amber Orr Exhibit
Amber Orr is the Leeds Arts Council’s featured artist in June. The public is invited to the opening reception on June 4, 2017, 1:30-3:30 pm, to view her delightful art work. Admission is free.
Amber Orr is a Birmingham artist. She is a 2007 graduate of the Alabama School of Fine Arts and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in drawing with a minor in art history from The University of Montevallo. One of her recent portraits graced the front cover of the fall 2016 issue of the Birmingham Arts Journal.
The artist says, “My work celebrates the internal and external relationship of self-discovery. I am being honest about who I was, am, and choose to become. I haven’t always loved what I looked like on the outside. Self-criticism left me feeling ugly, left me believing I was never enough. During this endless cycle of frustration, I discovered I was the ultimate cause of my own unhappiness. Constantly belittling myself only kept me thinking negatively. Once I respected myself, inch by inch and day by day, I gained confidence.”
“The key to my happiness is positive thinking. Instead of perfecting my appearance, I have chosen to accept it. My hair is kinky, my skin is black, I have scars and marks times more. I want to encourage you to embrace who you are. We are all beautifully imperfect human beings. That is worthy to be celebrated.”
Ms. Orr’s paintings will be on exhibit through June 30, 2017. You can follow her art journey on Instagram: @mizzambero
The Arts Center is located at 8140 Parkway Drive, in downtown Leeds. The gallery is open during events. In case of inclement weather, call the center at 205-699-1892 to confirm opening hours.
Leeds Community Chorus Spring Concert
The Leeds Community Chorus will present their Spring Concert on June 3, 2017 at the Leeds Arts Center.
This year’s show, entitled, An American Songbook, will feature songs of American culture from Stephen Foster to the Beach Boys.
Special guest performance by The Clay Boys, a local Blue Grass ensemble, plus other featured singers.
Saturday only, 7:00 PM at the Leeds Arts Center.
Admission is $10.00. Call 205-699-1892 for reservations, or tickets may be purchased at the door.
Deborah & Sam Pezzillo Exhibit
Deborah and Sam Pezzillo are the Leeds Arts Council’s featured artists
in April. Please join us for the opening reception on April 2,
2017, 1:30-3:30 pm, to view their beautiful photographs. Admission is
free.
Since moving to Leeds in 1995, Deborah has enjoyed taking photographs
of the wildlife, both plants and animals, on her farm. “They are in and
of themselves magical,” she notes. “Their appearance can transform an
otherwise ordinary day into pure joy. I am at once so excited when I
hear my husband beckoning me to, ‘Come quickly, Deb, and bring your
camera.’“
Her photos have been published in the October 2014 issue of the
National Wildlife Federation magazine and were recently shown at the
Flight and Flutter Fest at Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve. Her photo
of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Purple Coneflower can be viewed on
Al.com. She has also published a book of her nature photos with
favorite quotes titled, Ambassadors of Life. It will be on sale along
with framed photos and photos on canvas.
Sam has had a life-long interest in photography and once taught it in a
January term at Birmingham-Southern College, from which he retired in
2010. He has not intentionally limited his subject matter, but an
additional interest in world-wide travel and his academic specialty in
the classical world have allowed him to concentrate on architectural
and monumental subjects. But, like Debbie, birds and nature have
also had their attraction. Sam says that what he likes about
photography is that it makes one look at both the broad view and the
details of what is presented to your eyes. That allows for finding
surprising items in apparently mundane scenes.
The Pezzillos’ photographs will be on exhibit through May 5.
The Arts Center is located at 8140 Parkway Drive, in downtown Leeds.
The gallery is open during events. In case of inclement weather, call
the center at 205-699-1892 to confirm opening hours.
Birmingham Arts Journal Meeting
October 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Informal reading, reception, and refreshments to celebrate the newest issue of the Birmingham Arts Journal.
Bring your friends. Introduce them to the writers and artists whose creations appear in this edition of the BAJ.
Hosted by the Leeds Area Open Circle Poets & the Leeds Arts Council
Rabbit Hole
October 26, 2016
7:00 PM
Tickets $10
Leeds Theatre’s entry at ACTFest 2017
Directed by Dianne Rowe and Cliff Keen, Jr.
Becca and Howie Corbett have everything a family could want until a life-shattering accident turns their world upside down and leaves the couple drifting perilously apart. The show charts their bittersweet search for comfort in the darkest of places and for a path that will lead them back into the light of day.
The show stars Ashley Richardson as Becca, Cliff Keen, Jr. as Howie, Pam Elder as Nat, and Mary Page Wilson-Lyons as Izzy.
Proceeds from this benefit show will offset travel costs to ACTFest 17 the Alabama State Community Theatre Festival in Wetumpka. Leeds will be competing with 6 other community theatres for a chance to represent Alabama at SETC next year and hopefully on to Nationals.