A new exhibit featuring works of African American artists from Alabama and representing a collaboration between Troy University’s Rosa Parks Museum and students from Valiant Cross Academy will open Jan. 17.

The exhibit, “Down South: From the Souls of African American Artists of Alabama,” will open with a reception beginning at 6 p.m., and is free and open to the public.

Members of the museum’s staff have worked with Valiant Cross in the inaugural Junior Curator program, which provides hands-on learning experience for the scholars in researching African American artists of Alabama and the steps involved in curating museum exhibits. In addition to their research, scholars have selected artwork to display, composed biographies for participating artists and assisted with the planning and promotion of the exhibit opening.

“Every voice matters,” said Madeline Burkhardt, the museum’s adult education coordinator. “It does not matter whether the artist is self-taught or trained, has the ‘proper’ materials or not, or has the ability to profit from their works. Through this exhibit, you will experience voices that have historically defined Alabama, as well as those artists currently working within our community to create a culture for expressing oneself through their artistic voices when their spoken words may not be heard. As you leave this hall, think of ways in which you can share your own voice when words may not be enough.”

The exhibit will run until April 1, and is available for viewing at no charge during the museum’s hours of operation, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For additional information, visit the museum’s website or the museum’s Facebook page.