The Gadsden Museum of Art will host openings for all new exhibitions featuring five artists from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4.

The Gadsden Museum of Art welcomes recent Masters graduates Molly Lay and Kole Nichols from the University of Alabama.  Their work will be exhibited in the first-floor galleries. 

Contemporary sculptor Molly Lay’s “An Act of Attention” explores how the practice of walking through natural spaces can bring awareness to one’s lived experiences.  The drawings of Kole Nichols’ exhibit “Tracing Shadows” are influenced by his interests in cyclical movements and patterns, navigation, mapping, repetition, light, presence and absence.

Local artist Ryan McRae will be showing his paintings in the second-floor gallery.   He currently teaches elementary and middle school art in the Gadsden City School system. 

Along with McRae, the works of photographer Adrienne Reed, who currently serves on the Gadsden City Board of Education, can be seen on the second floor. Local artists Todd Grigsby, Alex Dunn, Chris Washington, and Hilary Blackwood are also featured in the museum, showing their works for the first time.

Light refreshments will be served and public restrooms are available for all visitors and First Friday attendees.