By Allison Marlow
Managing Editor
FAIRHOPE — When Philip Henry Gosse painted the delicate yellow, black and orange wings of butterflies, he did so on an itty-bitty scale — in his hand-held field journal.
Lucky for us, those works reproduced beautifully. And now, we can enjoy Gosse's hand-painted illustrations of moths, butterflies and other various insects in a much larger format. He captured their essence in the 1830s, a time long before glossy, mass-produced field guides and internet search engines.
The collection, titled "A Naturalist's Sojourn in Alabama," is on display at the Eastern Shore Art Center through Oct. 29 thanks to Alabama Audubon, a nonprofit organization promoting conservation and a greater knowledge of birds, their habitats and the natural world.
The exhibit opens today as part of the monthly First Friday Art Walk celebration. Peruse the galleries while singer songwriter Stuart McNair fills the space with live music. The Baldwin County Youth Orchestra will entertain guests in the sitting area outside the front of the gallery.
Also opening today is the "ArtSquared" exhibit. This is your chance to own an original piece by some of the most sought-after local artists. Twenty-four, 12"x12", works by the likes of Jo Patton, Jack Daily and others will be on display and available for sale.
The auction will take place online beginning today. Each piece is a glimpse into the artist's creative world. The choice of medium ranges from photography to collage. There are modern-inspired works, portraits and landscapes. Some are freshly finished and have arrived at the museum in boxes marked, "Wet Paint."
The proceeds from the sale benefit the center's programming. Bids will close Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.
If you haven't visited the center yet this summer, two popular exhibits remain on display through the end of August.
"Bodies of Work," by Pinky Bass, Carolyn Demeritt and Sonja Langford, offers a look at the "universal collective unconscious" through the experiences and connection of women.
Also remaining through the month is "Off the Wall," a multi-media exhibit featuring colorful mannequins, guitars and other "off the wall" items, so to speak, by Betsy Grosso.
First Friday Art Walk happenings begin tonight at 6 p.m. and run until 8 p.m. Admission to the ESAC is free.