heART of Huntsville Explores Huntsville’s Rich Art Offerings

For Huntsville art enthusiasts—or those who wish to be—the Center for Law, Engagement, And Politics hosts an annual heART of Huntsville program. Participants have the opportunity to explore Huntsville’s rich cultural offerings in art and architecture, while also enjoying dinners and a rich helping of Huntsville’s history.

Week One: The first session of heART of Huntsville focuses on the art of SHSU. Visitors, and even some employees, might traverse campus without even realizing they are walking by a fountain designed by Presidential Medal of Arts recipient Jesus Moroles, or a familiar wooden daisy created by nationally renowned artist James Surls. Participants in heART of Huntsville will explore these pieces, while also visiting the Gaddis Geeslin Gallery, the art in the Newton Gresham Library, and the fine art of the Gaertner Performing Arts Center—and topping off the evening off with dinner at Austin Hall.

Week Two: The New York Times called Richard Haas the “great architectural muralist of our time,” and his murals will be the focus of the program’s second week. This is fitting, because Huntsville has the most works by Haas of any city in the world. The tour begins at Founders’ Park and includes stops at the First United Methodist Church, the Old Town Theater, and SHSU’s Satellite Art Gallery, with a concluding dinner at The Patio.

Week Three: The program’s third session will include a tour of the outdoor sculpture in Huntsville and an inside-tour of the Adickes Foundation, culminating with a dinner at Carbonero's.

Week Four: The program's final session will include stops at the Kellogg-Pritchett home and the Wynne Home, where dinner will be served.

The program will feature interactions with city staff, historians, and local artists. Participants will need to be able to navigate themselves across SHSU’s campus and around the downtown area for the first and second weeks. A bus (or other transportation) will be provided for participants on week three, during the tour of outdoor sculptures.

For information on the program, please contact Mike Yawn at mike.yawn@shsu.edu or by phone at 936-294-1456.