What Makes You Weep?

WHAT MAKES YOU WEEP?

InSpero board member Steve Garber reminds us that powerful art tells the truth and quotes Walker Percy, “Bad books always lie. They lie most of all about the human condition.” InSpero invites you to see the works from thirty Birmingham area artists who have created art in response to the Victor Hugo quote "Those Who Do Not Weep Do Not See."

Our featured artist, acclaimed fine-art photographer Vicki Wilson Hunt, allows herself to see the human condition, social injustice, poverty, and the power of human connection in the midst of hardship. Upon the death her father, Lonnie Wilson, Vicki discovered photos he had taken as a Birmingham police officer during the civil rights era of the 1960s. His photos are placed alongside Vicki's for this show.

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Thirty other artists have also created around themes of injustice, grief, hope, and beauty for this show. Teen boys from King's Home, through their art, reveal what makes them weep.

Allow time to see all these pieces and read the stories behind them. The gallery will be open to visitors weekdays during business hours March 18 through June 1 on the walls outside Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church's sanctuary. During business hours, enter through the portico at school entrance.

You're invited to our opening reception and community conversation on Wednesday, March 21 from 6:30-8 p.m. Park by Oak Mountain Presbyterian's sanctuary doors to enter gallery on Wednesday evening. Refreshments will be provided by Little Donkey, coffee from The Neighborhood Brew, and music by Wilder Adkins. Wilder won the Grand Prize for the NewSong Music Performance and Songwriting Competition. His award-winning song "Side by Side" is about the city of Birmingham and the struggles of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. It is also an anthem for peace and a call to keep hoping and never give up fighting darkness with the power of light. Link here to listen.

Other contributing artists include: Bill Boyd, Bill Carroll, Nancy Carroll, Pete Collins, Aaron Conrad, Jennifer Davis, Brooks Duell, Rachel Gore, Ashley Guest, Gina Hurry, King’s Home Youth, Rik Lazenby, Liz Landgren, Heather Metcalf, Miriam McClung, Jill McCool, Molly Morrow, Catherine Partain, Charity Ponter, Bruce Phillips, Alisa Poole, Catie Radney, Cathy Robbins, Tricia Robinson, Katherine Trammell, Kaitlin West,  and Lee Wilson.

We are thankful to Melanie Grant who has curated and installed this show and to Linda Barrett for editing the information provided for each of the artists.  

INSPERO THANKS ALL WHO HAVE HELPED WITH THIS SHOW, INCLUDING:

Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church
Little Donkey Restaurant and Catering
The Neighborhood Brew
Griffith Art Gallery

Wilder Adkins
Linda Barrett

Dawn Curtis
Lucy Farmer
Wendy Garner
Melanie Grant
Kate Hamilton
Rachel Hunt
Vicki Hunt
Sarah Pea
Cathy Robbins
Sarah York

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