The LaGrange Art Museum is kicking off “back to school” season with an opening reception Aug. 16 for the Visual Artists Alliance of LaGrange (VAAL) and “What Color is Water? Growing Up Black in a Segregated South” by Annie Greene. The public is invited to the reception from 6 to 8 p.m. 

“Now is the time for you to support the artists who live among us and upgrade the art in your home or add to your collection,” said Ethyl Ault, board chairman of the art museum. “The local artists’ work is nothing short of exceptional.”

Greene’s exhibition debuted at Artisans on the Square in Greenville last year and features 31 yarn paintings from her second autobiographical book. She portrays her experiences of racial segregation, reminding viewers of past times. While the art in this collection is not available for purchase, the artist’s two autobiographical books will be for sale. 

 “These are very family friendly exhibitions. They are colorful and give adults and children much to discuss,” said Laura Jennings, the museum’s executive director. 

The exhibitions were extended through Oct. 19 so that those participating in Rockweave Music and Art Festival (Oct. 4-5) and both LaGrange College’s Homecoming (Oct. 18-20) and the special event 400 Years: A Journey, 1619-2019 (Oct. 18-19) could attend. A closing reception is set for Oct. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. and sponsored by the organizing committee of 400 Years: A Journey.  The exhibitions were sponsored by the Marketplace at Lafayette Square and Callaway Foundation, Inc. 

Artists featured in the VAAL exhibition are Jaasiel Barrientos, Joanna Baxter, Jeanine Bradfield, Dennis Bugg, Sean Burnley, Steve Close, Terri Codlin, Jennifer Emery, Lata Fields, Cindy Fulks, Susan Gadrix, Lori Harrell, Julie Heo, Ron Hunt, William G. Jackson, Len Jagoda, Thea McKay McElvy, Keith Parmer, Randall Parmer, Whit Perry, Sarah Scarborough Swanson, Elizabeth Sims, Victoria Slagle, Ashley Stewart, Mary Sumners, Maryse Vaillancourt Prescott, Leah Watts, Charlie Warner and Cathy Wiggins.

The museum is open Tuesdays-Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m.