AUBURN, Ala. – Join the Auburn Arts Association (AAA) for a special exhibition dedicated to Auburn artist Hugh Oliver Williams. The Fall Invitational exhibition, “Acquisitions,” will be on display at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center (JDCAC) from Sept. 21 thru Oct. 27 with a drop-in reception on Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 2-6 p.m.

The exhibition presents a selection of “Wire Drawings” by the late Hugh Williams. The works include large drawings on paper and large three-dimensional wire pieces. The wire sculptures originally hung on the exterior walls of the artist’s studio on Moore’s Mill Road in Auburn. Also on view are several large watercolor paintings from 1990 and small watercolors from Hugh’s earlier “Taos: Navajo Lines“ series.

Born in Centre, Alabama, Hugh Williams received his Bachelor of Applied Arts degree from Auburn University, his Master of Arts degree from Columbia University, and did an additional study at John Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis and Columbia University. He joined the Auburn University Art faculty in 1957 and was named Alumni Professor of Art in 1987, the only professor to be so honored to date.

William's work is in the permanent collection of the The High Museum of Art, Columbus Museum of Art, Columbia University Art Gallery, Montgomery Museum of Art, Birmingham Museum of Art, Fine Arts Museum of the South Mobile and the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University. Williams formally retired as an alumni professor emeritus of art in 1992, though continued to run a highly regarded studio locally. His own nationally recognized work ranges from painting and drawing to mixed media sculpture, always with an experimental and visionary approach. He has said, “If you are not willing to take the risk, you stop learning, and it is important as an artist to take on a new adventure.”

The reception, hosted by the AAA, is free and open to the public. The Art Gallery is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact the JDCAC at (334) 501-2963, follow the AAA on Facebook and Instagram or visit auburnalabama.org/arts.