Celebrate our creative community this August!

E-NEWS • AUGUST 2026

Headliners

Major Exhibitions

Congratulations to this year’s Art in Gadsden winners!

See great regional art on view until September 5, 2026

A crowd of 375 art lovers gathered to celebrate the opening of the 38th Art in Gadsden Juried Exhibition. Juror Amanda Karioth Thompson, a Tallahassee-based arts consultant, artist, educator, and founder of AKT Artful, selected this year’s award recipients. Thank you to all 87 participating artists, and congratulations to the award winners.

Best of Show – Beth Appleton, My Sister’s Earrings, sponsored by Gallagher-Doug Croley Insurance Services, Inc. First Place – Scott Steppan, Shreds of Vision, Gasholder Park, sponsored by Iron Oak Wealth Management. Second Place – Kathy Pilkenton, Magic Beach Motel, sponsored by Lines Hinson and Lines Law Firm.Third Place – Kathy Wilcox, Slow Ride, sponsored by Full Earth Farm

Honorable Mentions were awarded to Robert Nelson, The Jackrabbit; Roger Raepple, Ghosts of the Family Farm #63, Leslie Anderson, Tidal Geometry Passage, and Eileen McCann, Heading Home.

We are also grateful to the 25 Public Opening volunteers who helped create such a memorable evening.

Art in Gadsden is presented by Thomas, Howell, Ferguson P.A. with support from Black Fig. Award sponsors were Gallagher-Doug Croley Insurance Services, Iron Oak Wealth Management, Lines Hinson and Lines, and Full Earth Farm.

Save the Date

America’s Everglades: Through the Lens of Clyde Butcher

September 25–December 12, 2026

This fall, experience the quiet beauty and remarkable scale of Florida’s most treasured wilderness through the acclaimed black-and-white photographs of Clyde Butcher. A recipient of the 2022 National Medal of Arts and a 1998 inductee into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, Butcher captures the mystery and resilience of the Everglades while inspiring a deeper appreciation for its preservation. The exhibition also honors President Harry S. Truman’s lasting conservation legacy.

Join us for the Public Opening on Friday, September 25, from 5–7:30 PM. The evening will feature Priceless Ecosystems: Florida’s Gulf Coast and Everglades, a special presentation by Jack Davis, Ph.D., exploring the history of the Everglades, Truman’s conservation legacy, and the impact of Butcher’s work. Guests can also enjoy a live animal presentation by St. Francis Wildlife Association, refreshments, and opportunities to connect while reflecting on the importance of protecting Florida’s wildlife and natural habitats.

Support for this program is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, celebrating
NEA America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes.

Funding for this program was provided through a grant from the Florida Humanities with funds from The Mosaic Company. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this (publication) (program) (exhibition) (website) do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or The Mosaic Company.

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Progress Report

Thank you donors!

As a community art museum, Gadsden Arts is truly guided and supported by people. Truly, our donors, members, and volunteers make everything we do possible. We are midway into another fantastic year of discovery, creativity, and community, thanks to all of you. Thank you!

Progress Report

Things to do

Art for Youth

Creative Futures Council – Applications are now open!

You future in the arts awaits!

Turn your passion for art into real-world experience through the Creative Futures Council, a program for art-loving high school students, college freshmen, and sophomores interested in arts careers. Participants meet via Zoom, work with professional artists, help plan events, and showcase their work. Selected applicants will be interviewed and, if awarded a spot, earn $15 per hour for participating. Apply now to start building your creative future.

Applications due: Friday, September 4, 2026, at 5 PM

The Creative Futures Council is made possible by our Art for Children & Youth Donors and sponsors Bell & Bates Ace Hardware and Sunnyside Farm Management Inc., and funded in part by a grant awarded by the Community Foundation of North Florida.

Learn More

Dine & Discover

Conversations with Award-Winning Artists

Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 12pm–1:30pm

Founded 38 years ago, Art in Gadsden continues to celebrate the creativity and talent of artists across our region. Enjoy a relaxed lunch and engaging conversation with award-winning artists Beth Appleton, Scott Steppan, Kathy Pilkenton,
Kathy Wilcox, Roger Raepple, and Leslie Anderson.

Luncheon reservations are required and can be made online.

Please make your reservations by Wednesday, August 12.

Member Exclusive

4th Annual Artists’ Studio Visits

Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 9am–4pm

Meet regional artists Dean Gioia, Fred Sanguiliano, Terry Hawkins, and Terry Francisco while exploring the spaces where their ideas take shape. Along the way, stop by Gadsden Arts for small-group tours of the Gadsden Arts Permanent Collection for an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience.

This is a special program for museum members. Become a Gadsden Arts member today and enjoy art, discovery, and unique opportunities all year long.

Adult Workshops

Painting Florida Swamps & Wildlife with Shawn Dell Joyce

Friday, October 2, 2026, from 10am–5pm

Explore the atmosphere, light, and wildlife of Florida’s landscapes during a full-day acrylic painting workshop with nationally recognized artist Shawn Dell Joyce. Held in connection with America’s Everglades: Through the Lens of Clyde Butcher, the workshop will guide participants through value sketches, color studies, and the creation of a finished painting with depth and expressive light.

Only 15 seats are available, and all materials are included.

Learn More

Youth & Family

Free art experiences for families at Gadsden Arts

Celebrate creativity in a whole new way during Free Family Saturdays at Gadsden Arts. Families can enjoy all-new hands-on projects inspired by the 38th Art in Gadsden Juried Exhibition, the latest Artists Guild exhibition, and Relics & Dreams: Jan Austin-Hicken.

Explore the galleries, connect with the work of talented regional artists, and create something of your own. Free Family Saturdays are open to all and offer a welcoming way for visitors of every age to experience art together.

Free Family Saturdays are presented by Centennial Bank and offered in partnership with the National Hookup of Black Women – Gadsden. All Art for Children & Youth programs are made possible by our Art for Children Donors, sponsors Bell & Bates Ace Hardware and Sunnyside Farm Management, and funded in part by a grant awarded by the Community Foundation of North Florida.

What’s happening!

Youth & Family

Summer Art Camp – thank you sponsors for another great year!

Six full weeks of creativity, discovery, and fun made this year’s Summer Art Camp one to remember. Every session gave young artists the opportunity to explore painting, drawing, sculpture, and more in a welcoming, hands-on environment.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our Art for Children & Youth donors and sponsors. Your generosity helps make meaningful arts experiences accessible to children in our community and inspires the next generation of creative thinkers – and thanks to you, every camp session was full! Thank you for making this summer possible!

All Art for Children & Youth programs are made possible by our Art for Children & Youth Donors, sponsor Sunnyside Farm Management, and funded in part by a grant awarded by the Community Foundation of North Florida.

Welcome Kat Chudy to the Gadsden Arts Team!

Gadsden Arts is pleased to welcome Kat Chudy as Museum Educator II – School Outreach. With 30 years of experience in education, Kat will lead Art Connections, a new initiative bringing exhibition-based, standards-correlated arts education to schools across Gadsden and Leon counties, helping more students connect with the museum. Kat will also add two more weekly Art in Schools sites to our program.

To learn more about Art Connections or to schedule a children’s group Field Trip please contact Kat Chudy at (850)-627-5024.

Opportunities

Volunteers

Thank you volunteers!

Volunteers play an important role in everything we do at Gadsden Arts. Event volunteers help create meaningful experiences for our community while supporting our mission. Special thanks to the 25 volunteers who made Art in Gadsden a resounding success this year!

Above: Terrie Francisco, Ruth Mashewske, Denise Fletcher, Karen Watson, Mary Howard Edwards, and Julie Baroody.

Membership

Join Gadsden Arts: More art, more to enjoy

Become a Gadsden Arts member and enjoy inspiring exhibitions, engaging programs, and special savings throughout the year. Members receive free admission to major exhibitions and public openings, early registration and program discounts, 10% off in the Jean Gard Fletcher Museum Shop, and more.

Your membership also supports the region’s only independent, nationally accredited art museum and helps keep meaningful arts experiences available to our community.

Become a member

Artist Opportunities

Art in Gadsden is moving to Prime Time!

Applications open September 1, 2026

The 39th Annual Art in Gadsden Juried Exhibition will move to a new January–February timeslot, bringing this celebrated tradition alongside the annual 2 Weeks with the Arts and offering participating artists even greater visibility. On view January 9–February 20, 2027, the exhibition will welcome artists from North Florida, South Georgia, and South Alabama.

Applications will be accepted September 1–October 9, 2026. Artwork may be from any year but must not have been previously exhibited at Gadsden Arts. More details will be available with the application.

Things to see

Jean Gard Fletcher Museum Shop

Creative Finds to Make You Smile

Bring a little imagination into your day with original work by Janet Wiedman, including hanging ornaments and Dungeons & Dragons-inspired bookmarks and stickers filled with playful details.

Also featured are notecards by Eve Bond, pairing charming animal illustrations with clever puns. With designs made to brighten someone’s day, they are a delightful choice for friends, family, or anyone who could use a smile.

Explore Our Exhibitions

38th Art in Gadsden

On view through

September 5, 2026

Relics and Dreams

On view through

September 5, 2026

Gadsden Arts Artist’s Guild
On view through

September 12, 2026

Art and our Environment

On view through

December 2026

In the community

Community Events

Downtown Historic District Walking Tour

Explore downtown Quincy in a new way with a guided walking tour of the Historic District presented by Bwembya’s Market & Art Gallery. This 45-minute outdoor tour highlights local stories, historic architecture, Black history, commerce, preservation, and the continued evolution of downtown. Tickets are $15 per person.

Book a tour!