Chapman collection on display at art museum
In conjunction with the Allie Cat Run and Festival and National Donate Life Month in April , the Meridian Museum of Art will host an exhibition by artist Gary Chapman , professor of painting and drawing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham .
Chapman will be the guest speaker for the 10:30 a . m . ceremony at the Allie Cat Run and Festival Saturday , March 23 , on the city hall lawn . Then from 12:30 p . m . until 2:30 p . m ., an opening reception for his Donate Life-sponsored exhibit will be held next door at the art museum . The reception is open and free to the public .
The family of an organ recipient , the Chapmans ’ daughter , Sadie , was born with a serious congenital heart defect , diagnosed as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome , which basically means the left ventricle of her heart was not formed correctly . She had two open heart surgeries as a child and a heart transplant at age 19 . Her new heart failed seven years later , and Sadie Chapman died in March 2023 at the age of 26 .
After Sadie ’ s death , Chapman began posting paintings of his daughter on social media , which garnered widespread response from people touched by her father ’ s work . The tribute to Sadie turned into an exhibition that is a testament to her life , essence and resilience .
The Meridian Museum of Art will host a collection of “ The Sadie Paintings ,” in an effort to bring awareness to organ donation , as a part of April ’ s Donate Life Month .
Chapman holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Cranbrook Academy of Art and both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from Berea College . He boasts an impressive portfolio featuring more than 80 solo exhibitions at renowned institutions .
In 2013 , he was honored as a Joan Mitchell CALL Legacy Artist . He has garnered various grants and fellowships , including the prestigious 1996 National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Painting from the Southern Arts Federation . His artistic endeavors have been recognized with 2002 and 1994 Individual Artist Fellowships from the Alabama State Council on the Arts . Chapman ’ s work has been extensively reviewed and is featured in over 20 catalogs and books , including all four editions of “ New American Paintings .”
Chapman ’ s artwork will be on display at the Meridian Museum of Art through the month of April . M
Said her dad , Bill Carruth , as only Allie could , “ she didn ’ t think she had a big enough part in the play .”
In Meridian , daffodils and the saying — “ Have a Daffodil Day !” — have become closely associated with Allie , due to her sweet ad lib on stage , and an annual March event the Carruths started in 2018 to honor their daughter ’ s memory and to bring awareness to the importance of organ donation .
This year , the Seventh Annual Allie Cat Run and Festival is slated for Saturday , March 23 , at city hall lawn downtown . The 5K run or walk , followed by a kids fun run , will kick off at 9 a . m . near the big oak tree on the lawn along Sixth Street . The festival will get under way after the race with inflatable bounce houses and slides ; pony rides and a petting zoo ; games , arts and crafts , and activities geared toward children ; face painting ; live music ; and food and drink vendors .
“ We were trying to think of a way to honor Allie . It started off as the run and it kind of grew into the festival ,” said Bill , whose co-workers from Ochsner Rush Health graciously man the first aid booth at the event .
Leslie said the festival is a way to bring awareness to organ donation by recognizing donor families and recipient families since National Donate Life Month kicks off in
More than 600 runners and walkers signed up to participate in the 2023 Allie Cat Run 5k Run , 5k Walk and Kids Fun Run with hundreds more turning out for the festival .
April . The Carruths , who had watched years
14 • MERIDIAN LIFE