Florence Arts and Museums

10/23/2026

The Children’s Artwork winners will be displayed in the breezeway at Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts during the Alabama Renaissance Faire this weekend!

Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 12-4pm.

The Art Expressions exhibit of the Shoals Artists Guild will also be open during that time. Entrance is on the corner of Tuscaloosa and Wood.

We hope to see you there!

10/23/2026

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗗í𝗮 𝗱𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀 𝗠𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱?
Día de los Mu***os is not about death, but about celebrating life. It’s about keeping the memory of our loved ones alive.

Many different cultures believe that death is only one part of the cycle of life, and that new life can come from death. The holiday is a way to remember the life of the departed, with celebration that includes dancing, music, food, and community. As part of the celebration, people put together vibrant altars called ofrendas, decorated with flowers and candles, photos of loved ones, and favorite foods or drinks.

How do you keep the memory of your loved ones alive?
Let us know in the comments!

10/23/2026

Thanks to all who showed up to our Art Expressions Opening Reception last weekend!
Come by Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts this weekend (October 24th and 25th, during the Alabama Renaissance Faire) to see the annual exhibition of the latest works by the Shoals Artists Guild members!

The Art Expressions show will be open Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 12-4pm. The Children's Art Contest winners will be up in the breezeway at KD during those hours as well.

10/22/2026

The Rosenbaum House had a visit from the Peach State Cadillac La Salle Club. You might have seen one of the 25 Cadillac’s driving around the Shoals on October 14th.

Mr. Doug Bailey from Roswell, GA was kind enough to pose with the Rosenbaum House in his awesome ‘66 El Dorado. Thanks to the Club for visiting us at the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home in Alabama!

10/21/2026

If you haven't had a chance to view this exhibit, "The Fusion of Light, Glass, and Time" will only be on display until October 29th!

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙇𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩, 𝙂𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨, & 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚:
𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙂𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝘼𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙏𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝗕𝘆 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝘃𝗶𝘀

The Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts is pleased to present the fused glass artworks of Brasstown, North Carolina artisan, Karen Hovis, beginning September 6 and continuing through October 29, 2026. Her stunning glass sculptures showcase her mastery of various techniques, creating unique pieces that captivate with their interplay of light and glass.

Please join us for a “Meet & Greet” opportunity with the artist that will be held on Sun., September 20 from 2-4 p.m. at the KDAC. This event is free and open to the public; all ages are welcome.

Karen is a fused glass artist who creates kiln formed glass pieces using techniques of fusing, draping, dropping, slumping, and pulling of glass in its various forms of powder, frit, and sheet. Glass, and the beautiful dance that is created when light touches it, has always mesmerized Karen. She began her journey with fusing in 2005 in Martin County, Florida. Numerous courses and years of study, along with trial and error, have taken Karen from Florida, to Georgia, and finally to North Carolina. She has had the pleasure of learning personally from many well-established glass artists.
In 2017 she retired from the insurance world and now has more time to follow her passion. Karen is a student at heart and thrives on trying new techniques and methods. As a former teacher, she loves to explain to others how each piece is created. Karen’s studio is located in Brasstown, North Carolina. To learn more about Karen, visit her website: https://timetofuse.com/

The Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts is free and open to the public Monday - Friday from 9-4 and on Sundays from 1-4. The art center is located at 217 E. Tuscaloosa St. Florence, AL and can be reached by calling 256-760-6379 or visiting our website at www.florencealmuseums.com.

10/21/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗗í𝗮 𝗱𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀 𝗠𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺?
Día de los Mu***os is rooted in the cultural traditions of people indigenous to Mexico and Central America, who held a seasonal celebration of the lives of people who passed away. After the colonization of this region by the Spanish, the holiday merged with All Saints Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls Day (Nov. 2), two days rooted in the Catholic tradition of Spanish people.

Today, Día de los Mu***os is celebrated in a variety of ways in Mexico and parts of Central and South America, and throughout Latine communities in the United States and abroad.

If you have experienced Día de los Mu***os traditions or practices, where in the world was that? and What did it look like? Let us know in the comments!

10/19/2026

What is Día de los Mu***os?
🏵 Día de los Mu***os, or Day of the Dead, is a multi-day holiday meant to honor and celebrate deceased loved ones.
🎉 It is often celebrated between October 27th and November 2nd.
🎃 It is not the same as Halloween.

What else are you curious to know about this holiday? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned to learn more!

We hope you will join us for our second annual Día de los Mu***os Educational event from 1-4pm on October 31st at Southall at KD Art Center. We are continuing to shine a light on Latine community and culture with this event. Check out some photos from the first event in 2025.

This year we will have a memory box making activity, candle-making, and will be showcasing a Mexican-American artist, Jorge Lopez.
Bring a photo of a departed loved one and help decorate our community ofrenda in the garden behind KD Art Center.