In the Southern states, it is as if the landscape tends to steal the show—wide stretches of farmland kissed by the sun, the lazy sprawl of small towns where front porches seem to stretch for miles, and cities buzzing with the pulse of country music, barbecue, and southern hospitality.
For many, art is most likely reserved for the galleries of New York and Miami or the eclectic streets of Los Angeles. It’s easy to overlook the creative spirit simmering below the surface, tucked between the winding rivers and moss-draped oaks of the South. But here, in the quiet spaces where life moves a little slower, artists are carving out their paths, bold and unafraid, ready to make their voices heard.
“We’re making a staple in the arts locally,” says Joy Young, vice president of programs at South Arts, a nonprofit arts organization headquartered in Atlanta.“No matter where you are in this country, you can make more of an impact and reach and we’re hoping to do that with our latest exhibition in Hollywood.”
South Arts has arrived at the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood with its 2024 Southern Prize and State Fellowships for Visual Arts exhibition. Now in its eighth year, the art display from Saturday, Oct.19, 2024 through Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, features nine artists from Southern states Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, selected by a national jury.
Each State Fellow artist is awarded $5,000, with the Southern Prize for Visual Arts Finalist receiving an additional $10,000 and the Southern Prize for Visual Arts Winner receiving an extra $25,000.
“Both of those awards are unrestricted,” says Emmitt Stevenson, director of arts engagement at South Arts. “The artists use it to grow and benefit their career.”
Southern Prize recipients also receive a two-week residency at The Hambidge Center for Creative Arts and Sciences in Rabun Gap, Ga. Since the program began, South Arts has granted $640,000 to 72 artists.
The South is a hidden canvas, bursting with untold stories and artistic gems that many might not expect.
“Most people don’t think of the South being a big hotbed for the arts,” says Jennifer Homan, executive director of the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood. “They think more metropolitan areas, but (South Arts) wanted to make sure that people are more aware of the talent coming from the South.”
South Florida, with its shimmering coastlines and vibrant nightlife, is often painted in hues that set it apart from the classic American South. Yet, if you linger beneath its palm trees or wander through the lanes of its historic towns, you’ll see that South Florida holds its place firmly in the Southern dynamics, blending tropical heat with a depth of Southern charm that extends into its art, music, and hospitality.
“Florida is often overlooked in discussions about Southern culture, resulting in misconceptions about what the South encompasses,” says Erick Jimenez, from Miami, one of the South Arts artists selected who is representing Florida. “This exhibit gives us the opportunity to show how we in Miami, in Florida, are a part of that southern culture and shouldn’t be ignored.”
The nine artists showcase the talent of the South and represent Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
For instance, Kentucky’s Robyn Moore, a photo media-based artist known for her vast open landscapes images that stretch and are blanketed in black-and-white. Some photos may feature gentle slopes of rolling hills rippling like waves, jagged mountains heavy with shadows, and a silent reminder of nature’s beauty, even when stripped of its color.
Other artists include Birmingham’s Tony Bingham and Atlanta’s Zipporah Camille Thompson. There’s also Louisiana’s Macon Reed, Mississippi’s Brooke P. Alexander, and North Carolina’s Isys Hennigar.
“By bringing Southern artists to the Hollywood, Florida, center, the event shows a sense of connection and how we all have a shared cultural heritage,” says Stevenson. “We’re encouraging dialogue and understanding among diverse communities.”
For instance, the artwork by Bingham features history combined with arts as he shows organic, repurposed materials to create art that tells the stories of African-American history. Also, part of Bingham’s work being shown are photographs of historical landmarks in Alabama.
Much like Bingham, Reed takes inspiration from history, but it’s history and her participation in the queer and punk communities. Her work consists of a palette of bright colors with complex subjects.
“It’s a lineup like no other,” says Homan. “It’s variety, and we’re showing more than what’s probably expected from us by adding more artists from these locations. Hollywood is taking a step further to support other artists from other locations.”
Alexander puts a touch on locations with her complex relationships hidden among everyday settings. The painter from Athens, Alabama, combines oddities and curiosities within her scenes. Like her oil canvas “Whippoorwills,” where the moon hangs high, it’s light gentle yet powerful, illuminating the midnight sky with soft blues and deep indigos that fade into the distance.
However, below the moon, a vast field of wildflowers blooms in full glory despite the darkness. A perfect harmony between the beauty of nature and the quiet mystery of the night. The painting invites the viewer to linger, to absorb the peacefulness of a world that thrives in the moonlight, where even in the darkness, life and beauty bloom. This is what viewers will get a glimpse of when they see Alexander’s “Whippoorwills,”
Other artists include South Carolina’s Charles Clary, Memphis Tennessee’s Nelson Gutierrez, Kentucky’s Robyn Moore, and the Miami brothers Elliot and Erick Jiménez.
“To see the works of the (Jimenez) brothers and the rest is a representation for us as a community but also shows our community artwork from other areas,” says Homan. “It’s exciting that the Florida representative is local and we have someone to represent.”
The identical twins and first-generation Cuban-Americans were born and raised in Miami.
“We’re most looking forward to the opportunity to meet fellow artists and learn from their unique stories and experiences,” says Elliot Jimenez. “Participating in the South Arts Southern Prize and representing Florida as fellows is vital to the broader conversation about the South.”
The Jiménez brothers’ work often focuses on storytelling, using their images to depict mythical or imagined narratives, sometimes inspired by their Cuban-American heritage. Their vibrant use of color, surrealistic imagery, and unique conceptual approach have made their work stand out in contemporary art circles, earning them exhibitions and recognition in various art spaces. Their photography has been described as bold, theatrical, and immersive, often drawing viewers into a fantastical realm of both beauty and intrigue.
“South Florida, particularly, serves as a gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America,” said Erick Jimenez. “Having our work displayed within this context invites viewers to engage with our stories and understand how they contribute to Southern identity.”
The brothers have collaborated with several high-profile brands and well-known figures in the fashion and entertainment industries. Some of the notable brands that have engaged them for photography include Nike, Adidas, Marc Jacobs, and Gucci and well-known personalities like Janelle Monae, Lizzo, and Bad Bunny.
“All this has been in the works since last fall,” says Homan of the choice of South Arts to select the South Florida Art and Culture Center/Hollywood. Homan says that Sandy Shaughnessy, director of the Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs, recommended the site.
Stevenson, who had a career in the performing arts before becoming an arts administrator, says the arts are something that is part of everyone involved.
“It’s great to see all this artwork and culture coming together,” says Stevenson. “We’re not just doing this as administrators,” says Stevenson. “We’re people who have always truly been about the arts and the community. It’s in all of our history. Not just our community, but others, and we want to take a little bit of ourselves where we go including the Hollywood center.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT : Eighth Annual Southern Prize and State Fellowships for Visual Arts
WHERE: Arts and Culture Center/Hollywood, 1650 Harrison St, Hollywood
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Through Sunday, Jan.5
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 921-3274 or
artsandculturecenter.org
