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Vision Science Research Center School of Optometry | School of Medicine

2024 Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama Opening Reception

The Mission: The Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama value, honor, and celebrate students with visual impairments, blindness and or deaf blindness artistic abilities and creative works.

The 2024 Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama artist reception was held Sunday, January 21, 2024, at the Shelby County Arts Council 105 W College St Columbiana, AL. There are 40 pieces of art on display celebrating students with visual impairments, blindness and or deaf blindness from throughout the state of Alabama. The annual opening reception is the kickoff for the Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama as it travels throughout the state for the entire year.  The show continues to grow as we promote awareness on the talents and abilities of students with visual impairments, deafness and or deaf blindness.

Please click here to see the 2024 Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama Tour Schedule

Each year two artists and their families are selected to participate in the annual Helen Keller Festival in Tuscumbia, AL. The Patty Johnson/Helen Keller Foundation Board and Sue Pilkerton, Executive Director Helen Keller Birthplace Ivy Green and The Colbert County Board of Tourism and Convention Bureau are sponsors for the artist and their families to attend a fun and exciting weekend in Tuscumbia, AL.

The artists serve as Grand Marshals in the city-wide parade and are recognized as VIPs the entire weekend. They are also honored at the live performances of the “Miracle Worker" play held on the grounds of Ivy Green. The entire art exhibit will be on display across the street from Ivy Green at The Tennessee Valley Museum of Art during the festival.

Please click here to view the 2024 Helen Keller Art Show Pictures and 2024 Helen Keller Art Show Opening Reception.  Each piece of art is unique and completed by students with direction from their vision teachers, art teachers, and or parents.


2024 Winner of the Patty Johnson award sponsored by The Helen Keller Foundation Board:

  • "Flowers Have Power" Artist: Erick Alba Rodriquez, Brighton School, Bessemer, AL

2024 Winner of the Colbert County Board of Tourism and Convention Bureau award:

  • "Wonderful World" Artist: Gavin Millinger, Helena Middle School, Helena, AL

2024 Purchase /Award Winners (additional sponsors of the HKAS):

    • UAB SOO/Vision Science Research and Outreach Center
      • “What Do You See” Artist: Amaris Jones, Helen Keller School, Talladega, AL
    • Council for Exceptional Children/Division for Visual Impairments
      • “Independence” Artist: Aiden Blackwell, Austin High School, Decatur, AL
    • Marietta Wicks Agent/State Farm Insurance
      • “A Flower Garden”-Ann-Leigh Partridge, Elvin Hill Elementary, Columbiana, AL 
    • Hoover Lions Club…..Donation of $200.00
    • Drs. Dennis Gilliam
      • "My Mandala" Artist: Shaniya Davis, ASB/AIDB Campus Talladega, AL
      • “The Finger” Artist: Easton Church, Rudd Middle School, Pinson AL
    • The Cook Family
      • “Angel Heart” Artist: William Taylor, Straughn Elementary,  Andalusia, AL
    • Dr. and Mrs. Steven Pittler
      • "Hibiscus" Artist: Akira Twyman, Helen Keller School/AIDB Campus Talladega, AL
    • Dr. Lawrence Sincich, Professor UAB Vision Science Research Center
      • "The Cube" Artist: George Meyer, Helen Keller School, AIDB Campus, Talladega, AL
      • Colors, Colors, Colors, Artist Jaxon Yadao, Burkett Center, Kimberly, AL

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