Troy University’s International Arts Center in collaboration with the University’s Department of Art and Design will host a reception celebrating three exhibitions that showcase the talent of two Alabama artists and the Montgomery Photo Festival.

The reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10 in the International Arts Center.

The exhibit, “End of Summer,” is a collection of work by Troy University alumnus Madison Faile. Originally from Selma and raised in Montgomery, Faile draws heavily on his Southern roots. His artistic journey began early, influenced by his mother, a ballet teacher, and his grandmother, an avid portrait painter.

After earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Troy University in 2014, Faile moved to New Orleans, where he began to establish his career in the arts. His latest collection, “End of Summer,” features a series of new works that evoke a sense of nostalgia through vivid imagery and personal memories. Each painting offers a glimpse into his childhood experiences in the Deep South, reflecting on the complexities of memory and the passage of time.

“Kalmia,” showcased in IAC’s Foyer Gallery, is an installation by artist Jamey Grimes. Residing in Tuscaloosa, Grimes creates immersive experiences through his light-based sculptures. Inspired by the mountain laurel, a flower often found along local waterways, “Kalmia” consists of a mass of suspended sculptures that create a captivating interplay of light and shadow, an experience that is simultaneously unsettling and serene. Inspired by nature, Grimes generates unique forms through the manipulation of synthetic materials. He has exhibited extensively across the U.S., with notable installations in various museums and public spaces, including the prominent “Taraxacum” sculpture in the John and Joyce Caddell Sculpture Garden at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts.

Guests attending the reception will have the opportunity to meet both Faile and Grimes, as well as enjoy refreshments. In addition, both artists will conduct workshops with TROY’s Department of Art and Design during their visit. Grimes will be working with students in the 3D Printing lab and program, exploring innovative techniques and materials, while Faile will engage with painting students, sharing his expertise and artistic feedback. 

“The IAC is thrilled to showcase the artwork of two talented and impactful Alabama artists, both deeply engaged in their communities,” says Carrie Jaxon, the IAC Director and Curator. “Each artist brings a unique narrative shaped by their experiences in the Southern landscape, whether through personal connections to their homes and childhood or by exploring the beautiful and diverse outdoors that surrounds us all.”

Also, during the reception, the IAC will celebrate the Montgomery Photo Festival, showcasing a curated collection of photographs organized by Stonehenge Gallery of Montgomery. This exhibition highlights a variety of perspectives and narratives captured through the lens, honoring the photographers and their contributions to this annual festival.

Grimes will join the IAC’s free family program, ArtSPARK, on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon. He will guide a special project connected to his artistic practices, allowing children to create their own lantern designs and witness the laser cutter bring their ideas to life. ArtSPARK is supported in part by the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

On Wednesday, Nov. 20, Grimes will return to the Troy Campus with Dr. Julia Brock for an artist talk at the IAC. The event will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and will also be live streamed on the IAC’s Facebook page.

More information about the artists and exhibitions can be found online on the IAC’s website. To learn more about Madison Faile, visit www.madisonfaile.com. To learn more about Jamey Grimes, visit www.jameygrimessculpture.com. To learn more about the Montgomery Photo Festival, visit https://www.montgomeryphotofestival.org/.