Shows

Andalusia’s Cotton Street Gallery to Host Celebrated Artist Véronique Vanblaere’s “Encore!” Exhibition

Encore! features wearable art upcycled from gently used clothing.

Andalusia, Ala.—The Cotton Street Gallery will host “Encore!,” an exhibition of wearable art by Birmingham, Alabama–based artist Véronique Vanblaere, beginning Friday, May 29, at 5 p.m. with an opening reception. Vanblaere will give an artist’s talk Saturday, May 30, at 1 p.m. Both the reception and the talk are open to the public. Those interested in
attending the talk are invited to sign up on the Cotton Street Gallery website.

Vanblaere, also known as “Véro the Traveling Artist,” works in a variety of media, including fibers and fabrics, revamped clothing, original drawings, paintings, murals, and puppetry. In “Encore!” Vanblaere’s one-of-a-kind fantastical fashions, or “fashion Vérolutions,” include creatively upcycled dresses, coats, and other wearables, some of which will be for sale by the artist.

Originally from Belgium, Vanblaere moved to the United States in 1996 and, in 1998, co-founded the popular Birmingham art gallery Naked Art. Until its closure in 2019, Naked Art focused on functional, wearable, and untraditional art and crafts, including Vanblaere’s own work and that of other local and regional artists. Vanblaere’s pieces have been featured at Miami Art Basel, Harvard University, and the Cannes Film Festival.

“I’m excited to share Véro’s talent with Andalusia,” said Sue Wiggins, Cotton Street Gallery and AIR Artists, Inc. founder and director. “Her ability to transform everyday clothing into such fabulous creations demonstrates the versatility of textile art. Véro’s work is truly inspiring.”

“Encore!” runs Friday, May 29, through Saturday, August 1. The gallery will be open to the public Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the exhibition.

Cotton Street Gallery, located at 104 North Cotton Street in Andalusia, celebrates Southern textile art and artists. Proceeds from the gallery benefit AIR Artists, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization.

If you plan on attending, please let us know by filling out the following form:

AIR Artists Inc. to Host Second Annual Runway Soirée at Andalusia’s Historic Railroad Depot Saturday, April 5, 2025

This year’s event will feature a “garden party” theme.

Andalusia, AL—AIR Artists Inc. will host its second annual Runway Soirée Saturday, April 5, 2025, starting at 6 p.m. The fashion show, which will feature a “garden party” theme, will take place at the historic Andalusia Railroad Depot on South Cotton Street.

Tickets will go on sale February 1, 2025, and are $100 per person. The evening will include both silent and live auctions, live music, wine and beer, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and dessert, and the fashion show.

The inaugural event, which was held April 6, 2024, featured designer Vicky Tiel’s timeless fashions and was a sold-out success.

The Runway Soirée is sponsored by the Cotton Street Gallery, which celebrates Southern textile art and artists through art and culture exhibitions and textile-related classes and demonstrations. Proceeds from the Runway Soirée and the gallery benefit AIR Artists Inc. and AIR Andalusia.

To learn more AIR Artists Inc./AIR Andalusia, visit https://airartists.org/. And to learn more about Cotton Street Gallery, visit https://cottonstreetgallery.com/. April 5, 2025

Poarch Band of Creek Indians exhibition

The Cotton Street Gallery is excited to partner with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Alabama’s only federally recognized tribe, for an exhibition celebrating their rich history of handcrafted regalia and traditional art. Items on display include powwow regalia, princess regalia, basketry, quilts, reproduction pottery, and copper medallions, as well as arrowheads on loan from the Covington County Historical Museum.

The Emmy Award–winning documentary The Forgotten Creeks, which tells the story of Alabama’s Creek Indians from their first contact with the Spanish in the 1500s to modern day, will run continuously at the gallery during the exhibition.

Join us at the gallery 6 p.m. Thursday, August 29, for a lecture presented by the Historical Society.

Other upcoming events include:

Pow Wow exhibition and Princesses
Public forum at City Hall featuring archaeologists and experts on the Indian population in Covington County
Arrowhead knapping and atlatl (spear throwing) demonstrations on the square
Drummers of the Southeast
Classes led by Poarch Band of Creek Indian artists

Meet the Artists