The University of Alabama Gallery is proud to present Stacey Holloway: Flight of the Elephant & Other Tales, October 2 – November 20, 2020, in the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center. This delightful and intriguing show, guest curated by Paul Barrett, will also be part of the fall’s inaugural First Friday Art Walk, October 2, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in downtown Tuscaloosa.
Holloways’ exhibition was created to accompany an animated video that tells the story of the migration of a creative and determined elephant, Amelia, the main character of Flight of the Elephant. In addition, Holloway brought in visual artists to create collaborative works for the exhibit including Alabama artists Doug Barrett, Doug Baulos, Lanette Blankenship, Merrilee Challiss, Gary Chapman, Derek Cracco, Becki Delgado, Guthrie F. Holmes, Savannah Smith, Emily Stroud and Michael Swann. Several large- and small-scale works were created specifically for this presentation and will be on view for the first time.
“The idea of flight is something that shows up in my work quite often,” said Holloway. “Flight, for me, is a representation of something that we strive for, something that we achieve,” she said, describing how she connected with the project.
“Stacey’s work is well-crafted and whimsical at the same time,” UA Gallery director Daniel White said. “Like a well-told tale, if it’s believable and filled with details, you are taken on a journey. As a visual storyteller, Stacey is a master of the form. This show will delight the viewer.”
“Stacey’s work is technically accomplished. It’s also approachable and very fun,” says guest curator Paul Barrett. “She is constantly driven to exceed expectations. The average viewer may never know how many hours of labor each piece required, but they will know it made them smile. Stacey’s practice is very much grounded in generosity and collaboration. I appreciate the opportunity to work with such a talented, creative professional.”
Stacey M. Holloway is associate professor of sculpture at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She received the MFA from the University of Minnesota in 2009, and the BFA from Herron School of Art and Design/IUPUI in 2006. In her work, Holloway focuses on the transformation and growth of individuals as they mature. Through the exploration of storytelling and ethology, she constructs sculptural stills that represent anxieties and fears that collide with a world of ambiguous subconsciousness.
Holloway has exhibited nationally in galleries such as Wayfarers, Brooklyn, N.Y.; FM Gallery, Chicago, Ill.; Gallery 924 at the Arts Council of Indianapolis, Ind.; Huntsville Museum of Art, Ala.; Edington Gallery in Three Oaks, Mich.; Artfields, Lake City, S.C.; Gallery13, Minneapolis, Minn.; The Front, New Orleans, La.; and InLight Richmond in Richmond, Va. She has received distinguished awards including the 2017 SECAC Artist’s Fellowship, 2010 Efroymson Contemporary Arts Fellowship, Central Indiana Community Foundation and Juror’s Choice Award at the Red Clay Survey: 2014 Exhibition of Contemporary Southern Art at the Huntsville Museum of Art. Her work can be seen currently in the Red Clay Survey: 2020 Exhibition of Contemporary Southern Art at the Huntsville Museum of Art.
The Design to Protect Elephants project is a collaboration with the University of Central Oklahoma featuring an original score by Scott McAllister performed by the UCO Wind Symphony, Dr. Brian Lamb, director; accompanied by the narrative illustration of Jime A. Wimmer, Adam Coe and Semin Park; story by Sam Ladwig and Amy Johnson; and sculpture by Stacey Holloway. This grant funded project, generously supported by the Kirkpatrick Foundation, benefits WildAid. All proceeds from the sale of a limited edition of cast porcelain elephants go to WildAid and their efforts to stop the ivory trade.
The University of Alabama Gallery is an essential part of the education and development of UA students and our community. To ensure the safety of our visitors and staff, the galleries are open Mon., Wed., Fri., 9 am-4 pm and Tues., Thurs., 9 am – 3 pm. and First Fridays 12 noon-8 pm. Visitors must wear face coverings inside the gallery and maintain a minimum distance of six feet from others. Have questions or need assistance? Call (205) 345-3038.
For more information about The University of Alabama’s programs in studio art and art history, visit our Degree Programs page.