On First Friday February 1st ,the Gadsden Museum of Art will have a reception for several incoming shows: Anonymous Ancestors, by Susan Lenz; “unslaving…” Part I by John Sandridge; Visions, by Justin Farmer; Disappearance of Our Forest by Allison McElroy

To stand within Susan Lenz’s installation, Anonymous Ancestors is to become immersed in the myriad of family stories handed down through generations. Each snapshot is a frozen moment on life’s timeline. Letters and words clipped from vintage print material allow one’s mind to wander, envisioning forgotten friends, past holidays, ancient occasions, former cars, and hilarious fashion trends. Yet, all the images are anonymous. The photos come from yard sales, auctions, and abandoned locations. Who are these people? Who really knows? They are distant aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents, siblings, and in-laws. They are society’s family tree, our collective wall of ancestors.

John Solomon Sandridge will be displaying his collection “unslaving…” Part I on the second floor gallery.  John grew up in Gadsden Alabama where he lived in poverty until he found art as an escape.  For 64 years John has been creating art work of his own style described as- NUMINOUSNEOISM ART, 

            Disappearance of Our Forrest by Allison McElroy is an installation to bring awareness to this loss of our forest and how it will affect daily life as well as life for our future generations.  The dirt and the black paper allow viewers to leave evidence of their presence by putting their hands in the dirt and leaving a handprint to symbolize who is responsible for the disappearance of our forest.

Exhibits are free and open to the public. For more information, contact museum staff at (256) 546-7365.