Alabama Roots: A Celebration of Art & Community

What is Alabama Roots?

Alabama Roots is a three-day exhibition and celebration of art and community hosted by Stacy Beam and Caleigh Parsons, two artists from Arab, AL. Stacy and Caleigh will be joined by other musicians from Marshall County and will be offering various experiences each day, from live music to live painting, wine tastings, silent auctions, and more. The celebration will take place in Guntersville, AL at the historic Henry House. Mark your calendar to join us! And check out more info below!

Stacy Beam is an American painter from Arab, Alabama, who began his career as a portrait artist and now focuses on personal interpretation of the American South. He is advancing critically in the “it” city of Nashville, where refinement, art, education, and music blanket the scene.

Of note is Beam’s association with York & Friends Fine Art in Nashville. His early exhibits at creative spaces like White Avenue Studio elevated Beam’s notoriety. His acceptance at popular juried art shows in the south, including Atlanta’s Inman Park Festival and Nashville’s Tennessee Crafts Show, held in the shadow of the great cultural site “The Parthenon,” continue Beam’s upward rise in art circles of the south.

Most recently, Beam’s near life-size painting of one of the world’s best loved celebrity’s Dolly Parton (circa 1970’s), was showcased in the Positive Negative Exhibition at East Tennessee State University.

Literally putting his art stakes in the ground, Beam opened a 1,200 sq. ft. art studio in late 2019 on the property he shares with his wife, Amanda, and daughter, Bentley Jane. Further, his eponymous gallery in the exclusive summer retreat town of Beersheba Springs has resulted in art collectors purchasing and placing Beam’s works in some of the most historically prestigious vacation homes in Tennessee.

All good, but not necessarily the “holy grail” for Beam. That would be the work. Where does it come from, this inspiring world expressed so deeply in the fine art of Stacy Beam?

“My purpose is to invite viewers to a contemplative prayer/meditation, to engage with my art as I discover and capture the beauty in our physical world. My medium of oil includes the use of dynamic color combinations and varied application techniques. The hint of a storyline is present at first glance, then provides a journey of discovery. Whether viewing at close range or stepping back to take in a work in its entirety, there is story to experience. Layers of the story follow deep within the layers of paint.”

The serene landscapes of tree lines and creeks, fields and sky recall the land of his father’s farm on the outskirts of the small Alabama town of Arab. It’s where a superabundance of creativity flowed freely: art, piano, dance, theatre, band, travel, equine sports and best of all play - for uninterrupted hours - with young friends and cousins, using only imagination.

Also an accomplished musician, Beam uses music to inspire his work and his audience.

“Rhythm and musical colors are represented in the art, connected to the golden mean that informs every conscious or unconscious artistic decision I make. In interpreting song titles visually, I have discovered a whole new avenue with which to engage someone - an open invitation for spectators to enjoy an artistic ride.”

European artists, studied for days in the museums of Florence, Rome and Paris, inspire Beam’s impressionistic works of cityscapes and moody modern expressions.

His majestic horse portraits capture the equine-loving heart of Beam, raised around a barn full of the stunning creatures. He rode them, helped train them, got to know them and began to soulfully paint them. The family recognized the young artist’s talent and engaged Billie Nipper, the great horse portraiture artist (President Ronald Reagan’s horse and famed country star Shania Twain with her horse) to teach the protege.

Beam’s imagination sees beauty and passion in the colors of oil paint dropped onto the palette. In picking up the brush, he begins the flow of paint from brush to canvas to breathtaking works of fine, fine, art.

Caleigh Parsons grew up in Arab, Alabama, where her grandmother's art hung throughout her childhood home. Today, Caleigh is a wife, mother, executive recruiter, and art-enthusiast living in Dothan, Alabama, who began her personal art collection over 25 years ago. Over the years, she's found ways to surround herself with all types of art that speak to her and fill her home with stories and memories.

In 2021, after a year of introspection and reflection, Caleigh finally discovered, after years of attempts, her own artistic style and process, and began painting herself.

Since beginning her practice, Caleigh has participated in two group shows at Bells Gallery and has exhibited for three consecutive years at The Loop Music & Art Festival in Dothan. She's also participated in The Art Room Greenville showcase as well as in Thomasville, Georgia's Strings Attached Music & Art Festival. Caleigh was invited to be the guest artist for Esom Gallery's 2024 participation in the Magazine Street Champagne Stroll in New Orleans in May of 2024 and will be showing at the inaugural Loyola Art Show in Mobile in August of 2024. She works tirelessly to enhance her skills and recently spent a week in Santa Fe, New Mexico, learning from professional artist, Jodie King.

Caleigh is most excited about her upcoming solo show at Bells Gallery in December of 2024, which will be titled "Anthology" and will include works on canvas, wood, and paper as well as literature written by the artist herself.

While continuing her day job and full-time motherhood, Caleigh spends her free time painting and soaking up the inspiration that comes from travel and throughout the arts community of the Wiregrass.

Meet our Guest Artists

Jill King

Madeleine Wharton

Jill King is an artist, singer, and songwriter who loves to connect people through her music. Today she writes and performs for the heart of the song more than for a particular genre. “Helping people find similarities with each other and feel less alone, helps us all relate to and understand each other, and this is the catalyst for my

Over her career she has traveled the world, singing in 40 states and eight countries, singing for small groups and crowds up to 60,000. Her musical styles travel through traditional country, 90’s country, Americana, classic rock, and gospel.

She has three albums: Jillbilly, Somebody New, and Rain on Fire. She has won many awards, received critical acclaim, and shared the stage with many of the world’s (and her own) favorite artists.

She is involved with community service work. Causes close to her heart support healthcare initiatives, mental health and recovery, creative expression, and spiritual connection.

She lives with her son, Ari, on a piece of land west of Nashville that keeps her close to her love for family, nature and music.

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Madeleine Wharton

Madeleine Wharton is a Sophomore at Guntersville High School and is known throughout her community as an award-winning student and artist. Among her many accolades are as follows:

-Art Student of the Year

-Inspire Youth Art - Physician’s Choice Award

-Started Madeleine Made in 2020 at 11 years old

-Superintendent’s Art Award

-Mountain Valle

Madeleine Wharton is a Sophomore at Guntersville High School and is known throughout her community as an award-winning student and artist. Among her many accolades are as follows:

-Art Student of the Year

-Inspire Youth Art - Physician’s Choice Award

-Started Madeleine Made in 2020 at 11 years old

-Superintendent’s Art Award

-Mountain Valley Art Award Winner

-Alabama State Department Visual Arts Award Winner

-Art on the Lake Overall Winner

-Fourth Congressional

District Art Competition Winner

OTHER AWARDS:

-Academic Top Ten

-SGA Class President

-FCA

-FCA Leadership Committee

-3rd Place in State Track for Pole Vault

-Cheerleader

-Mayor’s Youth Council

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