Gadsden, AL- The City of Gadsden’s Museum of Art has a new curator Ray Wetzel, and he has plans to take the downtown icon to new heights. Wetzel was promoted from the exhibits coordinator position at the GMA where he managed the various exhibits and displays at the museum. In his new role, he will oversee all events, exhibits, programs and outreach and help move the museum forward.

“I want to lead the museum to be a central place for Art in our community. We have so many great art institutions like the Hardin Center, Walnut Gallery, and Gadsden State spaces that have elevated art in our community. We’re going to make use of the wonderful history pieces we already have and renovate and reinvigorate the exhibits that share the history of Gadsden.” Wetzel, who is a trained painter and studio artist that studied at JSU and exhibited shows throughout the Southeast, is looking to Gadsden for inspiration for exhibits. “We have a fantastic history of traditional art shows and in recent years we’ve brought incredible contemporary work. I want to balance both traditional and contemporary work with a focus on bringing attention to regional artists.”

The Gadsden Museum of Art has grown tremendously in the last decade and now occupies three stories of its facility on Broad Street. “We’re excited to bring kids into our recent expansion of the Children’s Art Gallery at the museum where they can come and learn about art. We’ve also had great success with our new gallery and event space on the second floor, which provides a great venue for a variety of events and meetings,” said Wetzel.

“We’re so pleased to be able to promote Ray. We love to be able to promote employees into leadership positions and it’s been wonderful to be able to watch Ray take the reins at the museum. We know that great things are in store for the museum and we looking forward to seeing Ray’s vision for this great city institution, “ said Mayor Sherman Guyton.

The Museum’s Board and Foundation is building an excellent working relationship with Wetzel. The Coordination between the group and City Hall will only help the museum to succeed and grow to its full potential. “The Board of Directors of the Gadsden Museum of Art and History Foundation congratulate Ray Wetzel on his promotion to Curator. The Museum curator is a most difficult job of running operations, finding quality exhibits and presenting them. The large services from the Museum to our community enhance the quality of life here and educate our children. We are all improved because of the Museum. Ray has accepted an important responsibility and he has proved his ability to excel. During the last several months, the Museum has operated with a skeleton crew and Ray kept it going with no loss of quality. The City of Gadsden wisely promoted him, and the Board looks forward to continuing to work with him. “ Jamie Sledge, Chair of the Board



The Gadsden Museum of Art has a packed schedule for 2017, so follow the GMA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and at their website at https://gadsdenmuseum.com/.



GMA Exhibition Schedule for 2017

First Floor Main Gallery

Jan-Feb: Anita Stewart Amanda Ann Palmer, Relics contemporary sculpture

March-April: School Show, featuring work from Etowah county and city schools

April-May: Focus, Annual photography show

June: TBA

July-Aug.: Gadsden Art Association Annual Juried Show

Sept.-Oct.: House and Home, Traveling Historical Exhibit

Nov.-Dec.: Veterans Exhibit focusing on the Korean Conflict



Leo Reynolds Gallery

Jan.-Feb.: Pamela Canzater, A biographical walk though the life of an African American woman.

March-April: Kathryn McGinley, Painting

May-June: Sarah Landrum

July-Aug.: Laurie Popp

Sept.-Oct.: Wes Bowen

Nov.-Dec.: Michael Moore



Rear Hall Gallery

Jan-Feb: Permanent Collection

March-April: School Show

May-June: Focus Photo

July-Aug.: Gadsden Art Association

Sept-Oct.: Bill Whisenant

Nov.-Dec.: Veterans Exhibit focusing on the Korean Conflict



2nd Floor Gallery

Jan.-Feb.: Alabama “PaperWorkers” Various forms of printmaking

March-April: Sarah Reeves Peggy Gilliam features work from 2 of the original members of the Gadsden Art Association

May-June: Rachel Wakefield

July-Aug.: Mary Dunn Textiles

Sept.-Oct.: Marcus Tharpe

Nov.-Dec.: Holiday