16 Main - Grand Opening

6/18/10

I previously posted my trip to see the Clay House during it's renovation into 16 Main, a community for artists in downtown Madison. A few weeks ago, I saw their grand opening. I much very impressed with their artwork in the gallery and the friendly artists that have their workspace here.

SA Hale

SA and Terry Hale I know because his son was with the homeschool group that I work at. Terry has moved her glass bead shop here and organizes the art and artists at 16 Main now. Here SA is all dressed up and ready to tell every the history of Madison.

A new chandelier in the gallery. This is one of the beautiful pieces they've added to the place during remodeling.

Gallery at 16 Main

Another view of the gallery, nicely arranged. This was taken in the natural light without the flash, which would ruin the great lighting effects from the paper latern.

The Madison Belles

Two of the Madison Belles sitting in a beautifully decorated chamber. I can't get enough of the design scheme here.

Classroom of 16 Main

A classroom, set up for glass beadmaking instruction. 16 Main will be offering instruction in many arts and crafts.

Clay Worker

A clay artist of 16 Main, Greg Lee, at his potter's wheel demonstrating his craft. Compare with my earlier photos of the unfinished garage during remodeling.

Potter's Hands

A close-up of a skilled artist creating.

Down the Well

Looking down the stairwell at a lovely koi painting created by one of the local artists.

Artistic Finishes

An artsy display at the entrance to a studio, Artistic Finishes, so the sign says. A nice little touch of gypsy.

Artist of 16 Main

Michele Lee shows her work in her studio.

The Empty Room

In a still empty room across the hall, waiting for an artist to claim a workspace.

Artist of 16 Main

Dianne Hart, telling about her work.

Art of 16 Main

A display of her artwork in her studio.

Art of 16 Main

Gourd work by Jules Weber in progess. The finished pieces for sale in the gallery are lovely fine-art pieces.

Art of 16 Main

Detail of a gourd in progess. Starting to carve out delicate, little holes.

Conversation

SA Hale speaking with one of the girls of the Madison Belles.

Cameo

One of the Madison Belles looking prim and proper.

Another Madison Belle looking demure.

Artist of 16 Main

Mike Birdsong in her studio (my favorite room in the house) with some of her pencil sketches in the background.

Hale's Belles

SA Hale and the Madison Belle's giving a presentation on Madison history. The Belles sometimes join SA on his Spirit Stroll, a walk around downtown with stories of the past and the many spirits that haunt Madison.  A Spirit Stroll was planned for the grand opening but the stroll part was rained out. Instead we got to hear the spirit tales from the comfort of the dry porch.

The Clay House

4/12/10

The Clay House in downtown Madison, AL has been carefully remodeled to house an artist's community called "16 Main." These are photos I took while the artists were moving in and work was still being done on the building.



16 Main

The view from the street.




Terry at Work

Terry Hale, who oversees the artists' group, tiles the floor in what will soon be her glass bead-making studio.




Banister I

Some beautiful woodwork from the past.




Spiral

A wonderful staircase leading up to the second floor.




Banister II

Reaching the second floor.



Stories of the Past

If this room could talk, what would it tell us about the past? A beautiful front room on the first floor, perfectly lit by the window. I used my built-in flash to avoid backlighting.



Future Gallery

Front space on the first floor that is soon to be a gallery.




Door Handle

A grand old wooden door in the old style: study and with character.




Locker

A locker from a more modern time, but still a bygone era, highlighted by the sun coming through a window.




Doorway

To the garage area, currently undergoing a lot of work.



The Corner Room

A delightful sunlit room off in a corner of the house.



The Closet

A very eerie closet on the second floor with a door at the opposite end that leads to unfinished attic space. There are many ghost stories surrounding this room and many of the artists are a little creeped out by this room.




Window

The view down upon a former garage space from another second storie room.





Drainpipe

An odd corner created by the garage add-on.



The Orb

A grand view of the large house. Note the orb. Ghosts? Or simply a lens flare?



Old Boarding

Replacing the old wooden siding of the house. The texture difference between the old and new boards makes for a cute picture.




The Outside

An imposing view of the house. It's interesting to note that the upper window leads to the room with the closet.




Side Door

One of the many entrances to the building.




The Porch

The comfy looking porch with the decorative brickwork invites you to come and sit a spell at 16 Main.

The Tea Party 2010

Belated photos of this year's Tea Party in Huntsville, Alabama.

I love two aspects of this picture. The defeated posture of the sign holder, and the city sign proclaiming the location of the event.

A doctor speaks out.

A broad sweep of the crowd.

Signs proclaiming the good points of capitolism held above the crowd.

"Dont' Tread On Me" flag with the sun shining through it.

A witty sign seen through layers of people.

A sign referencing Lord of the Rings surrounded by American flags.

There's always more than one viewpoint.

Passions run deep.

The sign stands out in focus among the crowd.

A resolute man stands with the sun behind him.

A pleasant conversation.

Applauding the speaker.

A man waves a flag to traffic with the old church belltower in the background.

A picture of the ol' South.

A young woman expresses her opinion.

A patriot in a tricorn with a flag slung over his shoulder smiles during a conversation.

A dog sporting a red bandana hangs out in the sunset.

A young patriot in an old fashioned tricorn hat.

A speaker stands on the podium with the flag just behind him.

Many doctors are distrubed by the healthcare bill including this doctor with Docs 4 Patient Care.

A woman with a Ron Paul sign on her pregnant belly films the good doctor.

Two gentlemen in full Tea Party regalia.