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Vision Science Research Center School of Optometry | School of Medicine

2022 Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama Opening Reception

The Mission: The Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama value, honor, and celebrate students with visual impairments, blindness and or deaf blindness artistic abilities and creative works.

The 2022 Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama artist reception was held Sunday, January 23, 2022, at the Shelby County Arts Council 105 W College St Columbiana, AL. There are 46 pieces of art on display celebrating students with visual impairments, blindness and or deaf blindness from throughout the state of Alabama. The annual opening reception is the kickoff for the Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama as it travels throughout the state for the entire year.  The show continues to grow significantly with a focal point of making communities aware of the talents and abilities of the students. 

Please click here to see the 2022 Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama Tour Schedule.

Each year two artist are selected to participate in the annual Helen Keller Festival in Tuscumbia, AL. The Patty Johnson/Helen Keller Foundation Board and Sue Pilkerton, Executive Director Helen Keller Birthplace Ivy Green and The Colbert County Board of Tourism and Convention Bureau are sponsors for the artist and their families to attend a fun and exciting weekend in Tuscumbia, AL.

The artists serve as Grand Marshals in the city-wide parade and are recognized as VIPs the entire weekend. They are also honored at live performances of the “Miracle Worker" play held on the grounds of Ivy Green. The entire art exhibit will be on display across the street from Ivy Green at The Tennessee Valley Museum of Art during the festival.

While school systems continue to struggle with keeping teachers, staff, and students safe from Omicron variants, Covid 19, and implementing remote learning, our artist continued to be motivated in working on their unique art for submission into the 2022 Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama.  Please click here to view the 2022 Helen Keller Art Show Pictures. Each piece of art is unique and completed by students with direction from their vision teachers, art teachers, and or parents.


2022 Winner of the Patty Johnson award sponsored by the Helen Keller Foundation Board:

  • "Winter Beauty" Artist: Jennifer Trotman, Helen Keller School/AIDB Campus, Talladega, AL


2022 Winner of the Colbert County Board of Tourism and Convention Bureau:

  • "Tractor Rollin" Artist: Sawyer Clyde, Home Schooling


2022 Purchase /Award Winners (additional sponsors of the HKAS):

  • UAB SOO/Vision Science Research and Outreach Center
    • “You are the Masterpiece” Artist: Avalee Williams, Gardendale High School, Gardendale, AL
  • Council for Exceptional Children/Division for Visual Impairments
    • “Galloping Galaxy” Artist: Ella Rose Corley, Vestavia Hills Elementary West, Vestavia, AL
  • Marietta Wicks Agent/State Farm Insurance
    • “Happiness” Artist: Gavin Millinger Helena Middle School, Helena, AL 
  • Hoover Lions Club
    • "Speeding Through the Night" Artist: Sam Skellie, Helena Middle School Helena, AL
  • Drs. John and Nancy Mascia
    • "Wonders of the Ocean" Artist: Madison Faulk, ASB/AIDB Campus Talladega, AL
  • The Pittler Family
    • "Where the Wild Flowers Bloom" Artist: Adalyne Parrish, ASB/AIDB Campus Talladega, AL
  • Dr. Steven Boyles, Optometrist, Atlanta, GA
    • "Sunrise in New York" Artist: Ragan Robertson, Charles Henderson High School Troy, AL
  • Dr. Lawrence Sincich, Professor UAB Vision Science Research Center
    • "Space Ocean" Artist: Henrietta Murray, Paine Elementary School, Trussville, AL 


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