Want to make creations as awesome as this one?

2020 Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama on display at the Wiregrass Museum of Art.

Transcript

Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama

start

Table of Contents

home

Who was Helen Keller?

Helen Keller's Legacy

2020 Exhibition

Who Was Helen Keller?

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.” This quote was written by a woman who, despite her inability to hear, see, or even speak, managed to see not only beauty in the world but vast possibilities as well. That woman was the awe-inspiring Helen Keller. Born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, Keller suffered from an illness when she was almost 2 years old that left her blind and deaf. Through extensive schooling across the country, most notably with her teacher and mentor Annie Sullivan (Macy), Helen Keller managed to accomplish incredible things throughout her life. She was the first blind and deaf woman to graduate from college in the United States. She wrote books and over around 500 speeches and essays. Keller also co-founded the American Civil Liberties Union with American civil rights activist Roger Nash Baldwin and others in 1920. Helen Keller left an incredible legacy behind.

info

To pay tribute to Helen Keller’s impressive legacy and tenacious spirit, The Helen Keller Art show was created. This show displays work created by Alabama students with visual impairments, blindness, and deafness. The exhibition is juried statewide, travels from Birmingham to Mobile, and select pieces are also shown internationally. The Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama emphasizes creativity, color, and tactile media in the arts. The winning entry for the grand prize is selected by the Helen Keller Festival Board to receive the Patty Johnson Award, and will remain in the permanent collection at Ivy Green in Tuscumbia, AL, the birthplace of Helen Keller.

Helen Keller's legacy in Alabama

Information about the opening reception in Birmingham as well as a complete list of winners can be found by clicking here!

For over a decade, WMA has hosted the Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama, an exhibition of work created by Alabama students with visual impairments, blindness, and deafness. The exhibition is juried statewide, travels from Birmingham to Mobile, and select pieces are also shown internationally. The Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama emphasizes creativity, color, and tactile media in the arts. The winning entry for the grand prize is selected by the Helen Keller Festival Board to receive the Patty Johnson Award, and will remain in the permanent collection at Ivy Green in Tuscumbia, AL, the birthplace of Helen Keller. Don’t miss your chance to view these powerful works by a group of courageous and talented students. The Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama will be on view from April 1st through May 16th in the Coleman Gallery.

2020 Exhibition at WMA

Nathaly Gutierrez, age 13, attends Fort Payne Middle School. Nathaly likes to draw and learn new things aboutdifferent countries. She would love to travel around the world, especially Thailand. Her art interest is Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night and the Eiffel Tower.

Starry Night and the Eiffel TowerNathaly Gutierrez Fort Payne Middle School

Bella Windsor, is an 8 th grade student at North Jefferson Middle School. Bella loves the aroma of beautiful flowers. Bella believes that flowers can hear and feel her touch, which inspired her to create painted flowers. She enjoys playing on her tablet and loves to watch the Loud House.

Pretty Painted Flowers Bella Windsor North Jefferson Middle School

Brittney Gardner Braxton, age 12, is a 6th grader at Alabama School for the Blind. Her favorite subjects are social studies and art. Brittney enjoys working with crafts as a hobby. She also enjoys playingoutside, participating in cheer leading and dancing.

First Morning LightBrittney Gardner Braxton Alabama School for the Blind

Haiden Hawkins, age 9, is a 4th grader at Thompson Intermediate School. Haiden loves to create art using jewels and bright colors. She created her artwork in celebration of Alabama’s Bicentennial year. Haiden used acrylic paint, tissuepaper, foam colored jewels, beads, pipe cleaners and birthday candles.

Alabama BirthdayHaiden Hawkins Thompson Intermediate School

Abby Theiss , age 12, attends Alabama School for the Blind and is a 6th grader. Abby loves art class and P.E. She enjoys drawing in her free time and likes playing on her cellular phone.

The Major MountainsAbby Theiss Alabama School for the Blind

Nikki Grace Yates is a 7th grader at Helen Keller School of Alabama. Nikki is the daughter of Scot and Sandy Yates. Nikki loves to play with her friends, socialize and watch her favorite videos on the computer.

Flower PowerNikki Grace Yates Helen Keller School of Alabama

Angel Madrigal, is a first grader at Creekview Elementary School. He is very active and enjoys his family . Drawing is one of his favorite things and he loves to draw and illustrate his schoolwork. Angel speaks Spanish and English. His favoriteshow to watch is Coco. He created his artwork in celebration of Mexico’s holiday celebration Day of the Dead.

Colorful SombreroAngel Madrigal Creekview Elementary School

Sophia Gutierrez, age 7, is a 2 nd grader attending Willis Valley Elementary School. Sophia is always happy. Her hobbies include playing with her Barbie dolls, Legos and watching Titi Toys on YouTube. Sophia enjoyed creating the pizza art using cardboard.

Mama Mia Pizza, Pizza and Silver Spoon to the MoonSophia Gutierrez Willis Valley Elementary School

Taylor Gannon, age 17, an 11 th grader at Helen Keller School of Alabama. He loves music, sports and his friends. Taylor is a great student and loves his school.

Octo-Eye Taylor Gannon Helen Keller School of Alabama

Shymiria Broadnax, age 13, attends Alabama School for the Blind. Shymiria lives in Montgomery, Al with her mother and siblings. In her free time, she likes drawing, poetry, photography and she loves to sing.

The Unknown DragonShymiria Broadnax Alabama School for the Blind

Aubrey Whitley, a student at Burkett Center, is 17 years old and enjoys listening to music and playing with toys that light up. She enjoys riding her enormous tricycle in the sunshine. Her favorite music is by Quinn and The Wiggles.

Love WinsAubrey Whitley Burkett Center

Levi is a 10 year old. He attends Moores Mill Intermediate School in New Market, AL. He has 3 sisters and 1 brother. His favorite things to do are play Fortnite , build lego sets, draw and play outside. His favorite subject in school is reading. He loves to spend time with his friends. Levi loves music and that is what inspired him to paint a guitar.

The GuitaristLevi Doran Moores Mill Intermediate School

Tristan Rose, age 8, is a 3rd grader at Alabama Virtual Academy. Tristan entered the Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama because of his love for arts and crafts. Tristan created his artwork by tracing the picture of a gangster then gluing the pieces on canvas and panting each piece with acrylic paint. The bricks were formed using cardboard and covered with painted masking tape. Tristan loves to read, play soccer, and video games.

My 3D Gangster Tristan Rose Alabama Virtual Academy

D ‘Marcus Andrews, age 18, is a 12th grader at Helen Keller School of Alabama. DeMarcus is a great student with an outgoing personality. He loves his friendsand his school.

CruisingArtist: D’Marcus Andrews Helen Keller School of Alabama

Haiden Hawkins, age 9, is a 4 th grader at Thompson Intermediate School. Haiden loves to create art. She created this piece of art because it reminds her of the sunshine when she is riding her bike in the family driveway and playing at home with her little brother. Haiden used acrylic paint, a plate and foam shapes to make her flower base. She used jewels, sunflower seeds and hot glue to outline her flower.

Sunflower of AlabamaHaiden Hawkins Thompson Intermediate School

Sam Skellie , age 11, attends Helena Intermediate School, Helena, AL. He loves sports and plays flag football. Sam loves to be outside and throwing the football with his dad.

Flying Over ParisSam Skellie Helena Intermediate School

Cason Berryhill, is a 4th grader at Burkett Center in Morris, Al. Cason created his flower art using food coloring and Epsom salt. Cason created his sunflower because it reminds him of being surrounded by a big smiley face.

BloomingCason Berryhill Burkett Center

Gavin Millinger, age 10, is a student at Helena Intermediate School, Helena, AL. He has a great interest in how animatronics work. Gavin like to listen to worship music, play simulation games, and know what his big brothers are doing. Gavin’s parents say he finds beauty and joy in common things. Since moving to Alabama, Gavin, has taken an interest in making his own artwork and after attending Camp Courage he has learned that he can also be courageous.

Beads , Beads, Beads Gavin Millinger Helena Intermediate School

Audrey Nickell age 11, is a 4 th grader at Thompson Intermediate School. Audrey loves art and creates art at home as well as at school. Audrey used acrylic paint and created her lily pads out of tactile materials. She used tissue paper, beads and pipe cleaners to make the Camellia flower.

Alabama Blue PondAudrey Nickell Thompson Intermediate School

Audrey Nickell, age 11, is a 4 th grader atThompson Intermediate School. Audrey loves art and creates art at home as well as at school. Audrey takes ice skating lessons on the weekends and has even grown her own cotton and shared with her Alabama history class. She used a plate to design the center of her artwork. She also used acrylic paints, craft jewels and hot glue to fill the center with real sunflower seeds.

Shining SunflowerArtist: Audrey Nickell Thompson Intermediate School

Anna Grace Kelley, age 6, is very driven and independent. As soon as Anna developed enough fine motor strength to grip a writing utensil, she began drawing elements of her own self portrait. She loves all things of “dramatic play”. Anna’s favorite quote is “I Can Do Hard Things".

SpringAnna Grace Kelley Vincent Elementary School

Eustacia A. McCallum, age 18, attends Clay Chalkville High School. Her favorite things to do are listening to music, shopping and spending time with friends and family. Eustacia loves school and learning new things. Her favorite colors are silver and blue.

A Love for MusicEustacia McCallum Clay Chalkville High School

Mya Harris, age 17, attends Pleasant Grove High School. Mya loves to swim and enjoys playing video games on her iPhone. Her favorite video game is Mario. She loves to browse the internet.

Lone WolfMya Harris Pleasant Grove High School

Dillon Daffin , age 11, attends Alabama School for the Blind. Dillon lives in Mobile, AL with his family. Dillon enjoys shooting basketball with his dog. He also enjoys playing other games with his friends. Dillon enjoys art and, created a beautiful mixed media piece of art.

Multi-Color VortexDillon Daffin Alabama School for the Blind

Taeja Mayes, age 12, attends Alabama School for the Blind. Taeja enjoys art class and spending time with her friends. She also enjoys texting with friends and playing games on her computer.

Water LiliesTaeja Mayes Alabama School for the Blind

Kaleigh Gable, age 17, is a graduating senior at Alabama School for the Blind. Kaleigh is planning to attend University of Montevallo. She likes to write short stories, read and play video games. Her artwork is part of the short story she is in the process of writing.

The WandererKaleigh Gable Alabama School for the Blind

Ameerah Jones, age 12, attends 5th grade at the Alabama School for the Blind. Her favorite class in school is science. In Ameerah’s free time, she enjoys writing songs, playing games and sometimes free drawing. Her favorite color is blue.

Looking for a MermaidAmeerah Jones Alabama School for the Blind

Thelonious Zegschmidt Sylvester, is a student at Alabama School for the Blind. He is studying the Japanese culture. He also enjoys science and the study of the moon. His favorite color is dark purple. In his free time he enjoys making sculptures and origami.

Colorful AbstractThelonious Z. Sylvester Alabama School for the Blind

Alexis Harrison, age 5, attends kindergarten at Helen Keller School of Alabama. She loves to sing, dance, and play. She loves playing with her friends and her toys. She is always happy and loves life.

I See With My HandsAlexis Harrison Helen Keller School of Alabama

Saniya Sanders, age 14, attends Alabama School for the Blind. Saniya likes dragonflies and butterflies. She enjoys swinging and going to water parks in the summer. Her favorite words are whispering, screaming and butterfly, which all relates to her imaginary dragons.

Wingsong Saniya Sanders Alabama School for the Blind

Clara Scelsi , age 9, is in the 3rd grade at Alabama School for the Blind. Clara is a day student and lives in Pell City with her family. Clara loves playing Battle with her dog. Clara is an enthusiastic student who is always ready to learn. She enjoys using her imagination and building things.

ElizabethClara ScelsiAlabama School for the Blind

Celindia Martin, age 12, is a 7th grader at Alabama School for the Blind. She enjoys most school subjects and enjoys learning new things. Celindia enjoys listening to music, playing on her iPad and drawing. Celindia loves the myths and legends of dragons.

The Eye of the DragonCelindia Martin Alabama School for the Blind

Jazmine Chatman, age 15, is a 12thgrader at Helen Keller School of Alabama. She loves playing volleyball, basketball and hanging out with friends. Jazmine also loves music and helping out at HKS.

Big HeartJazmine Chatman Helen Keller School of Alabama

Harper Carter attends CreekviewElementary School. She has a brother and two sisters and enjoys going on trips with her family. Harper created her artwork in celebration of Mexico’s holiday celebration Day of the Dead.

Dancing HatHarper Carter Creekview Elementary School

Miguel Andres, age 15, attends Alabama School for the Blind. Miguel is a hardworking student. He loves art and works very hard to progress in art class. Miguel enjoys learning new things and is a very pleasant student to have in class. Miguel makes friends easily and is a quick learner.

The WarriorMiguel Andres Alabama School for the Blind

Xavier Kurre , age 12, enjoys building things with Legos and magnetic tiles. Xavier enjoys drawing things that he really likes. This artwork reflects churches and old cars.

A Few of My Favorite ThingsXavier Kuree Oak Mountain Middle School

Dekendrick is 20 years old and attends Helen Keller School of Alabama. Dekendrick loves music, sports and his friends.

Crystal TearsDekendrick Graves Helen Keller School of Alabama

Xavier Kurre , age 12, enjoys building things with Legos and magnetic tiles. Xavier enjoys drawing buildings, trees and other things that he experiences outdoors.

Hotel LandscapeXavier Kurre Oak Mountain Middle School

C’Naya C. Stevenson, age 17, is a 12th grader at Pleasant Grove High School. C’Naya enjoys shopping, singing, dancing, and getting her nails and hair done. She enjoys school and works very hard when it comes to schoolwork. She is a graduating senior and a member of the school choir. She loves meeting people and talking.

Snow Moji C’Naya Steverson Pleasant Grove High School

Georgia Aplin , age 12, is a 6 th grader at Alabama School for the Blind. She has three sisters and lives in Munford, AL with her family. In Georgia’s free time, she likes to read, play outside and play the piano. She also enjoys singing and making art.

Ice Skating in WinterGeorgia Aplin Alabama School for the Blind

home

Thank you for visiting the Wiregrass Museum of Art!

Stay up to date with all of our programming by visiting our website at www.wiregrassmuseum.org