he Southern States is one of the most culturally rich and
diverse regions in the United States, and is highlighted
by must-see destinations throughout Alabama,
Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. There
is even a specific term for art of, about and from the
region, aptly called Southern art. This specialized genre was
heavily influenced by the history of the area and is comprised
of multiple art movements: Southern expressionism, folk art
and modernism. Museums, such as Huntsville Museum of Art
in Huntsville, Alabama, and Morris Museum of Art in Augusta,
Georgia, even feature collections of Southern art.
Locales throughout the area have thriving art districts
with galleries and museums, as well as annual and monthly
events. The monthlong May Festival of the Arts is a highlight
in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, while Paducah, Kentucky’s
Lower Town Arts District is home to the city’s Artists
Relocation Program. More than 20 artists live and work in
Lower Town, and many have regular operating hours so thatvisitors can stop by their studios.
Chattanooga, Tennessee, is home to the Bluff View Art
District, which spans more than 1½ city blocks and includes
galleries, restaurants and shopping. The Hunter Museum of
American Art is also located in the area, which boasts group
exhibitions of historic and contemporary art as well as solo
shows. The city also hosts the 4 Bridges Arts Festival, next
happening April 21 to 23, 2017. The juried art festival features
150 artists working in clay, glass, painting, photography,
mixed media and sculpture.
Atlanta is another art-centric city, with Midtown’s Art
District, Castleberry Hill Historic Arts District and the
downtown area being among the spots to visit. Castleberry Hill
hosts the 2 nd Friday Art Stroll each month beginning at 7 p.m.,
and downtown there is also is the First Thursday Downtown
Art Walk from 5 to 8 p.m. the first Thursday of each month.
Among the galleries and artists calling the region home are
Gallery 1401, M. Camille Day and Stephanie Jeanne Hardy.T
The Art Lover’s Guide to Collecting Fine Art in the
Southern States
Downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee.
PHOTO: ROB HAINER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM