An exciting year ahead –
thanks to you!

As we head into 2026, I look forward to another great year with gratitude. You make everything we do possible. Thank you.

We begin the year with 2 Weeks with the Arts, Gadsden Arts’ celebration of creative living and fundraiser supporting our programs. Join us to explore excellence in Southern contemporary art, meet Collect Select Exhibition & Sale artists at a free reception, enjoy luncheon and Winter Decorating with acclaimed designer John Grady Burns, and email me to join the waitlist for our finale, An Evening in Paris. Throughout the year, visit our website for details on more than 20 cultural events to enjoy.

Art for Children & Youth programs also return this month, featuring an exhibition by our Creative Futures Council youth, weekly art-making through Free Family Saturdays, and Art in Schools. We look forward to hosting group field trips, internships, art camp, and workshops throughout the year. 

Looking ahead, we are excited to present three Major Exhibitions: top contemporary watercolor from 19 states with the Southern Watercolor Society; compelling mixed-media work by Julie Miller Torres; and America’s Everglades by National Medal of Arts honoree Clyde Butcher—alongside changing exhibitions of regional art throughout the year. This fall, our annual Art Trip heads to Charleston, SC – contact me for one of the last spots.

Last but not least, in addition to the annual giving programs that you so generously support, we will share more about Vision 2030, an opportunity for all to invest in Gadsden Arts in the long-term to ensure that our community art museum thrives for generations to come.

Together, we discover the richness of humanity, celebrate creativity, and bring people together with the warm welcome you will always find at Gadsden Arts.

Wishing you a year of joy, peace, and discovery.

Grace Robinson


Executive Director

2 Weeks with the Arts

Afternoon with the Arts Luncheon 
Winter Decorating with John Grady Burns

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Join us on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 12–2:30pm, for a special Afternoon with the Arts featuring acclaimed floral designer John Grady Burns. Enjoy a gourmet luncheon as Burns, known for his work with the White House, Blair House, and top designers across the country, shares his expertise in a live Winter Decorating demonstration.


Guests who attend will also have the chance to win one of his floral arrangements created during the event! Tickets are now available – be sure to reserve yours today!

Youth & Family

Start the year with art!

Every Saturday, 10am–4:30pm

Start the new year with more creativity! Join us for Free Family Saturdays, where you can create in the ArtZone, explore the galleries with a Visual Treasure Hunt, and relax in our Reading Corner. Admission is always free, activities rotate monthly, and every family can take home a free book and an Art @ Home Kit!

All Art for Children & Youth programs are made possible by our Art for Children Donors, and sponsor Sunnyside Farm Management. Art @ Home Kits are sponsored by TDS Telecom. Free Family Saturdays are presented by Centennial Bank, with support from the Jacarlene Foundation, and in partnership with the National Hookup of Black Women – Gadsden.

Art Trip 2026

Discover Charleston, SC with Gadsden Arts!
September 28 – October 2, 2026

Embark on an unforgettable art-filled adventure with Gadsden Arts! Join us in Charleston, South Carolina, to explore its art, architecture, culinary delights, and rich history. Reservations are open to everyone. At this writing, only 3 spots remain (maximum 20 travelers).

Questions? Email grace@gadsdenarts.org or call (850) 627-5020.

Save the Date

49th Southern Watercolor Society Annual Juried Exhibition

February 20 – April 25, 2026

Explore stunning watercolor paintings by talented Southern artists in the 49th Southern Watercolor Society Juried Exhibition. Since 1975, the Society has celebrated watercolor as a vital art form. Enhance your visit with a guided tour for an inside look at the techniques, inspiration, and stories behind some of the works. Tours are included with admission—call (850) 627-5023 to reserve your spot today!

Important Date:

• Opening Reception | Friday, February 20, 2026, 5pm–7:30pm
  

The Southern Watercolor Society exhibition is made possible in part by the Impact Fund and Watson Arts Fund, presented by the FSU College of Medicine, in partnership with the Southern Watercolor Society, and sponsored by Black Fig and Proof Brewing, Inc.


Image: Chris Krupinski, Take a Cutie to Lunch, watercolor

Regional Art

Roopali Kambo: Resonance

On display through March 21, 2026

Discover how the art of Tallahassee-based artist and Fulbright Scholar Roopali Kambo transforms written scripts into stunning abstract art. Drawing from Arabic, Hebrew, Sanskrit, and Japanese letterforms, her work explores identity, belonging, and shared humanity. Through research-driven, interdisciplinary practices, Kambo creates visual experiences that connect people across cultures.

Fletcher Museum Shop 
Start the New Year at the Fletcher Museum Shop!

Discover original artwork by Michael Carnes and the latest quilts by Wendy Adams, featuring intricate patterns and vibrant colors that brighten any space. Plus, explore the creations of more than 90 talented artisans, from fine art to handcrafted treasures!

Creative Futures Council

Creative Futures Council Exhibition Coming Soon!

January 9 – 31, 2026

Our Creative Futures Council youth have been hard at work, creating art for their January exhibition. Their passion, creativity, and dedication in all aspects of our program this year are truly inspiring! For the exhibition, our youth are creating original pieces inspired by the powerful works of Purvis Young and Lonnie Holley from our Permanent Collection, and Alfred Conteh’s Malik and Marquis, which was on loan from Art Bridges from July to December 2025.


The Creative Futures Council is made possible by our Art for Children & Youth Donors, Art Bridges, sponsors Bell & Bates Home Center and Sunnyside Farm Management, and a grant awarded by the Community Foundation of North Florida.

Ways to Give

Bring Art to Life–Be a part of Gadsden Arts

Gadsden Arts delivers powerful experiences found nowhere else in our region. Through inspiring Major Exhibitions and free, year-round Art for Children & Youth programs, we open doors to creativity, growth, and expression for all—especially children who might not otherwise have access to the arts.

Our community makes this possible. By giving to the Impact Fund or Art for Children & Youth Fund, you invest in life-changing experiences for thousands. Join our community—make your gift today.

Thank you for helping children thrive.