Towery’s strong influence on art community still felt today

By Laura Johnson | Alex City Outlook

Published Friday, January 22, 2010

It could be said that no one person has influenced the development of Alexander City’s art community more than Sarah Carlisle Towery.

Though a native of Alexander City, Towery’s artistic studies took her around the world. After beginning her education at The University of Montevallo, Towery went on to study at Black Mountain College in North Carolina and in four other countries, before returning home where she taught and encouraged people to create art until her death.

“She had a lot to do with the art community in Alexander City,” Eleanor Carlisle said. “She was probably the single biggest influence on art in our community.”

Carlisle said that Towery inspired many local artists who have in turn become active members of the local art community. One of those participants, Catie Radney, now helps organize the Sarah Carslile Towery Art Colony on Lake Martin.

Radney said Towery’s encouragement inspired many throughout the years and that the art colony continues to spur artistic development.

“I didn’t realize how important it was to have a colony with other artists and to be able to share ideas,” Radney said. “I think the retreat makes it really unique because it’s not something many people have ever experienced.”

The colony began in 1991 when Towery’s artist friends traveled from around the country to Lake Martin Artist for a retreat in honor of Towery’s 80th birthday. Since that time the art colony has continued to grow, as has Towery’s influence in the community.

“She was a driving force in furthering the visual arts in Alexander City,” said Emogene Kolar, Towery’s long-time neighbor and founder of the Beta Sigma Phi Public Library Art Show.

Towery’s influence can be seen all around Alexander City, members of the local art community said. Art from the colony is on permanent display inside the Alexander City Board of Education building and her student’s work and the work of those they influenced is sold and displayed around the area.

“That’s all a by-product of the Sarah Towery Carslile Art Colony,” said Ralph Frohsin, a Member the Alabama State Council on the Arts. “It has expanded too.”

In conjunction with Towery’s art colony the Kitty Dark Kids Art Camp Workshop is held each year at Benjamin Russell High School. Frohsin said Towery’s influence in the area helped bolster a general interest in art and he credits that with the emergence of several Alexander City art events such as the Alexander City Art Walk.

“Because of the interest in art there are several people who have formed galleries and their work is i for sale in area business,” Frohsin said. “She brought out the talent in people in Alexander City.”

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