The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery’s newest art exhibit opened this week. “Bobby Carr: A Retrospective” will be on display through Jan. 20, 2014.
“He influenced many people in the field of art over the past 50 years,” said Mark Harris, chairman of the gallery board. “Too many times we don’t let people know how many lives they’ve touched or how much they’re appreciated, so we wanted to acknowledge his contributions to the art community now.”
Carr became interested in art at about age 10, but didn’t actively cultivate his talent until he was approaching 40. He was born in 1928 in Vina and graduated from Russellville High School in 1947. Carr attended Jones Junior College in Mississippi on a football scholarship.
After years spent in clerical jobs for construction and chemical companies and a stint as a general subjects teacher, basketball and softball coach, he became serious about his interest in art.
Carr graduated from Auburn University with a degree in art education in 1966. He was hired to teach art at Wetumpka High School and taught there until retiring in 1977.
The exhibit includes works from Carr’s personal collection, pieces from a number of private owners, about 40 works available for purchase, some of Carr’s preliminary sketches coupled with finished art and a representative sampling of works by many of his former art students. A total of more than 150 paintings and other pieces are on display.
The subjects of most of Carr’s work involves people or places around Wetumpka, Lake Martin and Gulf Shores.
Docents guided visitors through the exhibition Wednesday, sharing information and anecdotes about Carr, his work and his students’ work.
“The docent tours today were kind of a dry run,” said Harris. “There will be two more in November.”
Upcoming guided tours will be Nov. 6 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Nov. 13 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The exhibition is open for viewing Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the gallery located on the second floor of Wetumpka’s administrative building. The venue is closed on major holidays.
The exhibition also includes storyboards and an online catalog. The catalog is available for viewing at KFMG-online.org.
In addition, a special reception will be held in Carr’s honor Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. at the gallery.