SHEFFIELD-On Tuesday, April 16 the Sheffield Public Library sponsored a showing of paintings done by artist Clay Allison who grew up in Sheffield and now lives in Springville, Alabama.
The paintings in the Sheffield Paint the Town Series are paintings of homes and buildings in Sheffield drawn from Clay’s memories of Sheffield as it was when he was a boy growing up there. Allison provided some of his paintings in the Sheffield Paint the Town Series to view and shared the process in how the paintings are created, and the memories each painting rekindled of his growing up in Sheffield.
There was a reception for Clay at te Logan Room with rolls made by Alan Phillips of the Red Clay Table using the recipe from Exxie’s rolls from the old Walgreens on Montgomery Avenue.
Clay best described the feeling of the event in a post of his from FaceBook:
“The event last night was more than a seminar/show/display. The folks in Sheffield turned it into an event. The city of Sheffield should be extremely proud of their public library. Not only it is a premier center for learning and a beautifully outfitted structure the staff are top-notch. I could not have done anything without the help of the library staff, especially Beth and Evallou. They not only did all the work to bring this about but they and the library board made last night more of a family reunion/class reunion/friend reunion event. Barbara brought all the materials for the Paint the Town series to the event and stayed busy until the last person left. I could not have gotten the paintings set up as quickly as I did without the help of Jimmy Austin. Like I said last night, the entire series could not have come about (at least not the sharing portion of it) without the work and suggestions of the mayor, Ian Sanford. Laquita and her beautiful facility across the street provided what I think (judging by the AHHS and Yums offered by the crowd) Exxie’s rolls came to Montgomery Avenue again during the meet and greet that I never got to attend because so many friends wanted to share thanks and personal stories. Chef saw that I couldn’t make it so I was delivered a box of rolls and various meats. I took some quick photos with my old point and shoot camera, showing the room (The King Room) set up for the show.
Clay Allison Photos:
I was so nervous before I started to speak but within the first two sentences, my nerves calmed and I felt like I was just sitting on the porch swing sharing stories with old friends. Finally, I want to thank all the family and friends who were there. It was like a mini class reunion with my fellow SHS grads. As someone who used to not be a hugger, I wanted to hug everyone I spoke to and thank them for being there. I just hop and pray that the progress that has been made in dear old Sheffield will continue and the rebirth of what was once the star of the Shoals will be completed.”
1 comment
Clay recently I saw some of your Sheffield art work. My father owned Graber’s Dept store. Have you done this or will you do this??