GCAA Opal Young Memorial Exhibit opens April 16

GCAA Opal Young Memorial Exhibit opens April 16
Beloved folk artist was unrestrained by subject matter

By Eloise Thomley
The Gulf Coast Arts Alliance will have a special memorial exhibit for one of the Gulf Coast’s most beloved folk artists, Opal Young, who passed away in February. The Opal Young Memorial Exhibit will be April 16-29 with a reception to be held from 6-8 p.m. on April 17. The public has a special invitation to attend, enjoy refreshments and browse the works of this well-known artist. At the request of her family and her life-long partner, Kathy Johnson, all proceeds from the sale of Opal Young’s work during the month of April will be given to the non-profit she loved so much, the Gulf Coast Arts Alliance.
Opal grew up in rural Southwest Mississippi, received her B.S. and M.S. degrees at the University of Southern Mississippi, after which she taught at William Carey College in Hattiesburg.
After retirement, Opal moved to Gulf Shores and started creating art from seashells and driftwood. She later began painting in oil and acrylic on canvas and board. Her folk art captured the eye of lovers of outside art and her works became among the most collected in the Coastal area.
More than 50 pieces of art will be on display during the exhibit.
Opal was unrestrained by subject matter in her art. She loved to paint roosters, fish, sailboats, sunsets, the ocean and just about anything that caught her fancy.
The Gulf Coast Arts Alliance is a non-profit organization with office and Art Gallery at 225 East 24th Avenue in the Waterway Village district of Gulf Shores. For information about the Opal Young Memorial Exhibit, telephone 251-948-2627 or email gulfcoastartsalliance@gmail.com.