Albany Area Arts Council exhibit to showcase MillerCoors talent
Next month’s Albany Area Arts Council exhibit to feature work from MillerCoors employees, families
By Brad McEwen
ALBANY — Southwest Georgia art lovers can witness some of the hidden talent working at one of Albany’s largest employers when the Albany Area Arts Council opens its September exhibition featuring works by MillerCoors employees and their families.
The exhibition, titled “MillerCoors Makes Art,” opens Thursday at the Carnegie Library in downtown Albany and is the second such MillerCoors showcase presented by the Arts Council.
The exhibit will feature works in a variety of different media, including different types of painting, sketches, sculpture and photography, all of which will be judged in multiple categories by a panel selected by the Arts Council. Those judges will recognize first, second, third and honorable mention.
“It’s amazing to see the abilities of people you work with on a daily basis,” said MillerCoors Albany brewery senior Human Resources Manager Jim Graham. “You’re able to see that they have this other aspect that you wouldn’t normally know about.”
Graham, who has been with the company for nearly two years, said the annual exhibition has been well-received because it has brought the company’s employees closer to each other, and it has helped to connect the brewery to the community in general.
“I think there are two parts to this,” said Graham. “The first part, for the brewery itself, this is a great way to showcase the creative talents of our employees and their families. In doing so, it’s an incredible engagement vehicle to connect the employees with each other and with the community. Inviting families and children to participate really brings the brewery together. It (also) allows the greater community to really see the extreme level of talent of this group of people.”
That sentiment is shared by Albany Area Arts Council Executive Director Nicole Williams, who said the “MillerCoors Makes Art” showcase has helped expand the relationship the arts council has with the business community.
“This is a collaboration between the public arts sector and the private business community,” said Williams. “The exhibition provides an exceptional opportunity to further the Arts Council’s goal of enhancing the quality of life in Southwest Georgia, while reinforcing the private/public partnership, which encourages a sustainable system of support for the Albany Area Arts Council.
“On top of that, there’s also a lot of quality work in this exhibit. This showcase is different because it’s not an exhibition of work by professional artists. The quality of this exhibit shows how much talent is in this area.”
Graham, who also serves on the Arts Council’s board, said the talent level was one of the things that stood out to him when he attended last year’s exhibition.
“I was blown away by the artistic talent in many different mediums by the employees and their families,” he said. “I really felt I was at an art show. It was something that (appeared to have been created by) professional artists. I’ve been amazed with the talent in Albany. It’s like hidden gems that I keep coming across. I’m continually impressed with Albany.”
Williams said last year there were 54 pieces in the exhibition, and this year she expects to see even more. She also said that, with the exception of one artist, everyone who displayed work last year will display this year.
Additionally, some of the pieces in the exhibit have been created by children which, based on what he saw last year, Graham said he is really looking forward to seeing
“The really touching thing (last year) was the artwork from the children,” he said. “And not just touching, there was some really amazing talent. And I loved seeing how proud the kids were when they won an award.”
Several of the artists submitting work are expected be on hand for the opening reception, which runs from 6-8 p.m. and will feature light refreshments. The reception is free and open to the public.
In addition to the opening reception, the exhibit can also be viewed during the Arts Council’s regular hours. The Arts Council’s Carnegie Library headquarters is located at 215 N. Jackson St. in downtown Albany and is open to the public 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays.
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