From Autauga County Heritage Association
Elmore Autauga News
SOUTHERN ART THROUGH THE AGES displays the little-known art that is connected to Prattville’s rich history. In the 19th century, Daniel Pratt built an art gallery onto his house. Here he featured paintings by George Cooke among an other artists. On view are reproductions of Cooke’s paintings, “The View of Washington from the Naval Yard,” which is now found in the White House Collections and “The Interior of St. Peter’s Cathedral,” (17ft x 24ft!) located in the Chapel on Old Campus of University of Georgia. Cooke also was employed by McKenney-Hall to paint nine of the Native-American chiefs when they came to Washington, DC to negotiate the transfer of land (two are on display).
The DIXIE ART COLONY (DAC) Foundation partnered with ACHA on this exhibit. DAC artists, located in central Alabama, traveled the area painting local sites. Several original examples by DAC artists are found in the exhibit. A watercolor and pencil sketch of Bogg’s Pottery by noted Southern artist, Kelly Fitzpatrick, are featured in the display. The interest in the potteries followed the discovery of exceptional clay in Autauga County in the early 1900s attracting potters who came to the Prattville area to create utilitarian pottery for everyday use. Today new homes cover the site of an early pottery, Chalk Hill Pottery, located on Old Ridge Road. Other potteries, Tatum’s, Watson’s preceded the well-known Bogg’s Pottery. Later in the 1940s, a Mr. Spencer came to Prattville and opened a pottery on Highway 31. He was a chemist who was employed by the Prattville Cotton Mill and later served as mayor of the newly incorporated town, Prattmont! A decorated jug made by Spencer is on display. Current artists, Julianne Hansen and Jane Boutwell also contributed pottery works they created.
Also featured are the fantastical paper mache sculptures by Prattville’s own Bob Adams. Children, as well as adults, will enjoy viewing Bob’s wild animals and giant insects.
ACHA expresses thanks to Mark Harris, Director of DAC Foundation, for his assistance & cooperation in the creation of this lovely exhibit. The exhibit will be on view until the end of September. Museum hours are Tuesday-Friday 9-3 p.m. and Saturday 10-2 p.m.
