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Jimmy Lee Sudduth was born in Fayette, Alabama on March 10, 1910. Fayette's own nationally acclaimed folk artist painted using raw, natural materials, including mud, sand, grass, berries, and most anything that can be rubbed or pounded onto a board to produce color. Jimmy Lee's originality landed him a place in the collection of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.

A one-artist exhibit by Jimmy Lee Sudduth at the Fayette Art Museum in September 1971, set a Sunday opening attendance record that stands to this day. More than 250 visitors signed the register. Since that show, the inattentive pupil, the farm hand who belonged in another line of work, the man with unlimited imagination and resourcefulness has made his mark in the art world.

Jimmy Lee had become known primarily for his innovative use of dirt, water and sugar and for the ingenious ways he found to alter the color. He was not content with the score or more of shades that nature placed at his door. Anything of color could find itself either mixed with mud or scrubbed on it after it dried to a tough, rough and durable surface.

Fayette County Courthouse

(Mud on Celotex)

By: Jimmy Lee Sudduth

The Fayette Art Museum was founded as a result of a gift from Lois Wilson to the City of Fayette of 110 pieces of art work in 1969. City Hall housed the museum until 1982. The old grammer school of 1930 was renovated in 1982 to become the Fayette Civic Center & Art Museum. This multipurpose facility was designed to be the cultural community center for the city.

Upstairs houses meeting rooms, an auditorium, and art galleries for mainstream art. The Folk Art Galleries and Girl Scout meeting rooms occupy the ground floor. The original 110 piece museum collection of 1969 has grown to include approximately 3,700 original works of art.

In October, 1996 the museum opened six new galleries on the ground floor. Showcased in the Folk Art Galleries are Alabama folk artists Jimmy Lee Sudduth, Rev. Benjamin F. Perkins, Sybil Gibson, and Fred Webster, along with the primitive works by Lois Wilson.

The museum is open regularly from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Additionally, Folk Art Galleries are open every Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Viewers are invited also during any public event at the Civic Center. Special group tours can be arranged any time.

The Fayette Art Museum is the sponsor of the annual Fayette Arts Festival normally held the last Saturday in August at Guthrie Smith Park. This event has an attendance of approximately 7,500 each year.

For more information on the Civic Center, Art Museum, or the Arts Festival contact the Civic Center.

Phone: (205) 932-8727

* A special Thank You to the staff at the Arts Museum & Civic Center from Lisa K. Fowler (Page Designer).

Benjamin F. Perkins was born in Lamar county, but claimed Fayette as his home. He painted on everything from traditional canvases to gourds. His trademarks, two themes near and dear to his heart, were religion and patriotism. All of his pieces are bright and full of color.

Sybil Gibson

Sybil Gibson is known as the "grocery bag artist". She first began painting on brown bags at the age of fifty-four. With tempera paint and brown craft paper or newspaper, Miss Gibson produced simply delightful images of people and flowers. Her work exemplifies a childlike quality seldom so purely retained in adult life.

Fred Webster

( 1911 - 1998)

Fred Webster, a native of Berry, Alabama, was known for his woodcarvings. Mr. Webster carved mostly for the fun of it. He expected no profit from his work. He loved the fact that so many people wanted his carvings, but could not understand why. He was glad that so many people enjoyed his woodcarvings.

 

Lois Wilson is one of the many artists with paintings in the Fayette Art Museum. She is well known for her watercolors. Her early paintings often featured childhood memories of Fayette. These paintings date back from 1925 to 1930. Her later pieces also include examples of abstract art similar to those of Picasso.

Lois's philosophies about Native Americans, the elderly, and the environment often came out in her works. She was serious about making do with what she had which enforced her motto: "Waste not, want not". She painted on anything that was capable of being painted on.

Margarette McNutt Scruggs Guinther

Ms. Guinter, a native of Jasper, Alabama has 256 paintings in the collection at the Fayette Art Museum.

Several Artists works are on display for public viewing.

The Whitney House

By: Paul May

Regatta

By: Margarette McNutt Scrugs Guinther

Web Page Designed By:

Lisa K. Fowler

angelbear@pepperlink.net

Last Updated: May 9, 2002

* Information based on local knowledge, and a brochure created by the Fayette Girl Scout Council.