The Tennessee Valley Museum of Art opens the exhibition “Gulf Coast Contemporary: Selected Works by Artists from Lower Alabama” at 1 p.m., Sunday, May 20. The museum is located on 511 N. Water St., Tuscumbia, Ala., and admission to the opening is free.

“Gulf Coast Contemporary” will be on display through June 28. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 1-3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students during the week. Sundays are free.

The exhibition will feature works from 11 artists across a variety of media including painting, sculpture, screen printing and photography. Curator for “Gulf Coast Contemporary” is Phillip T. Counselman, chairman of the Art Department and associate professor of art at the University of Mobile. Counselman will present a gallery talk at the exhibition’s opening.

 “Gulf Coast Contemporary” is an official Alabama Bicentennial Event that highlights the ideas and artistic diversity of southern Alabama.  

“There’s something different about the work of everyone in the exhibition,” Counselman said. “The contrast between the artists is what is going to make it a great exhibit.” 

“Gulf Coast Contemporary” will feature the work of artists Pinky Bass, Pieter Favier, Susan Fitzsimmons, Wanda Sullivan, Rachel Wright, Conroy Hudlow, Lauren Woods, Matthew Hopson-Walker, Lucy Gafford and Heath Vester.

Counselman said the variety encourages the viewer to spend more time with each work, and will ensure that there is something that is interesting or appealing for everyone.

He also elaborated on the meaning of “contemporary” in the context of the works selected. It’s used to refer to a specific style; the work isn’t necessarily representational and certainly not functional. The goal of each work is to create discussion.

“These works provoke conversation and dialogue,” Counselman said. “And it’s not a dialogue that’s only about one thing. There are multiple interpretations for each work. Nothing has just one meaning.”