May-June Art Exhibits, at MVAC
May 1 - June 28
Mountain Valley Arts Council will feature watercolors by Dr. Manh Dang, MD of Huntsville in its Guntersville Gallery during May and June. Music will be provided by Josiah Bailey, pianist. The public and art fans are invited to the artists’ reception on Tuesday May 14h from 5:30 – 7 PM at the MVAC Gallery at 440 Gunter Avenue in Guntersville. have traits that indicate if the right or left sides of their brains are dominant. We don’t think that is the case with Manh Dang. He is a retired oncologist (left side of the brain) who happens to wear other more artistic ”hats” (right side of the brain). Not only is he a watercolorist, Manh is a poet, a Vietnamese political prisoner and immigrant, and a Christian who is active in missions, and the author of two non-medical books.
At the artists’ reception, Dr. Dang will read two or three of his poems, and he will have his books available for purchase. The books are “Freedom or Death – The Memoirs of Manh Dang “ (2000), the true story of his 13 years in North Vietnamese re-education camps/prisons and “The Fields”, a Christian inspirational book written about his oncologist experiences. All proceeds from these books are donated to six ministries both local and abroad. You can also order the books online, of course. And of course, his watercolors will enliven the gallery walls.
Donald Walker of Arab is a muralist, illustrator, and creative designer. He is well-known for his indoor and outdoor murals throughout North Alabama particularly in Marshall County schools, libraries, cars, festival signs, and restaurants. He painted the murals in the Kids’ Sanctuary in Albertville where children can play while parents are in the Juvenile Court several years ago as well as Boaz’s new musical heritage mural. Facebook is a great way to see his murals in progress since we can’t exactly bring them into the MVAC Gallery, but in this exhibit, you’ll be able to view some of his smaller-scale paintings and illustrations which will charm both young and old. In addition, Donald Walker is an extremely talented pumpkin carver and has demonstrated his carving creativity during Guntersville’s FallFest events.
Emily Busby makes pottery under the name of Em’s Pots. Her work is often found year-round in downtown Guntersville stores and at the annual Art on the Lake Festival in Guntersville, the Kentuck Arts & Crafts Festival in Northport, and the Moss Rock Festival in Hoover. Emily says that encouragement from MVAC made her try out for Kentuck Art Festival in Northport, and now she’s exhibited during their huge October show for several years. Since Emily is a Nurse Practitioner, she exhibits similar right- and left-brain talents as Dr. Dang.
Dianne Pansing who is the current president of the Guntersville Lakeside Quilters is exhibiting several of her unique quilts.
This exhibit is free to the public, but donations to support the arts are gladly accepted. The exhibits are sponsored through grants from City of Guntersville and generous businesses and members of MVAC.
