The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and the Montgomery Therapeutic Recreation Center (MTRC), a City of Montgomery organization that serves individuals with physical, cognitive, and behavioral challenges, have collaborated to bring participants of the Center to the Museum to learn and discuss themes represented in the collection and exhibits. 

After three years of evolving the partnership and experience of the participants, the class was expanded to include a full exhibition displayed at the Museum in the Artworks Gallery.  The students embarked on an ambitious goal of creating works inspired by a range of exhibits at the Museum including, History, Labor, Life:  The Prints of Jacob Lawrence; Laquita Thomson: Taking Flight; Bill Christenberry: Brownies; and Will Henry Stevens; all of which can be seen on the Museum’s website. 

The culmination of that work is represented in this exhibition that will be on view for the remainder of the year.  Images of the students working in their classroom and in the galleries are displayed next to their finished works of art because the artist followed a series of steps to finish each project, we felt the process should accompany the final artworks. 

William Lawson, the Creative Arts Coordinator for MTRC believes the Gallery Art Class benefits his participants in immeasurable ways.  “The benefits of this partnership can’t truly be measured.  The opportunity to visit the Museum, develop relationships with the staff and docents, and explore artwork in person are experiences that help our participants learn and grow as artists and individuals.  Not only the confidence and pride that show in the work in this program but in the things they make on their own have been amazing to see.” 

Though this year’s class was cut short due to the global pandemic, the students were able to finish an amazing selection of pieces that show their passion and skill in learning about art and being able to use that knowledge to create something new and deeply personal to each student.