We have some new -ish exhibits in two of our favorite Fairhope museums. I say “ish” because they’ve been on display for a few weeks, but I’ve been so busy quilting, churning butter and puttin’ up the crops (eye roll) that I’m just now getting these photos to you.
First up is the new “All Aboard” Bay Boat Exhibit at the Fairhope Museum of History. It’s absolutely beautiful, and you must go see it at once! (Finish reading this first).
Always free to the public (as opposed to the private ?), this exhibit explains how people traveled between Mobile and Fairhope in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s before bridges or the Causeway were constructed. It was a slower, more relaxed time for travel.
Beautiful steam powered boats loaded with happy passengers on their way to shop in Mobile or on vacation in Fairhope would make the short trip across Mobile Bay.
Seven fabulous replicas of the early ships were constructed by Peco Forsman and are displayed, along with other interesting artifacts and details about the romantic era of the Bay Boats. I never realized there were so many boats used to ferry people across the bay. It was a very interesting exhibit, and I highly recommend stopping by to see it. The volunteers at the Museum are always so knowledgeable and friendly, it’s a wonderful way to spend time and learn a little bit about our community.
A few short blocks north, you’ll find the current Member’s Show at the Eastern Shore Art Center. Â Above: Sittin’ by the Dock of the Bay, by: Sue Breifeller. The ESAC is also a free museum with five different galleries and a gift shop.
It always amazes me at just how much talent this little city holds. You may recognize Ellen Grigg‘s work from my previous story about her (HERE). Ellen’s work always makes me so happy!
 And speaking of “happy,” this whimsical sculpture, “Fly me to the Moon,” is by artist Baba Scaturro.
And this particular work, well . . . let me just say . . . WOW! I really loved it. It’s by Bekki Ludlam.
And this piece . . . artist Mary Katherine Metzger whose work you may remember from a previous post (HERE) created this intricate funerary for a local gentleman (I know who you are, and have to say I’m a bit concerned), who wants to have his ashes interred in a  . . . peanut butter jar.
That’s right. He was raised in the peanut capital of Dothan, AL and loves peanut butter so much, he had Mary Katherine create the funerary for him. I guess it puts the “fun” into “funeral.” The interesting thing is, I also know this man’s wife, who happens to be a beautiful, proper Southern Belle, and I can only imagine her sitting on the front row at the church with a peanut butter jar perched on her lap! Lord have mercy!
The amazingly creative work is very detailed with tiny peanut butter jars, silver peanuts and of course, the dude-ed up jar itself. Â Every little piece has meaning and symbolism, which is actually, not so “nutty” after all.
I’m tellin’ ya, only in Alabama, folks.
Hurry by the ESAC to see this exhibit before it closes at the end of the month. Â The Fairhope Museum of History exhibit of Bay Boats will remain on the second floor of the museum until next May.
*
Here’s one of my first blog posts I wrote about the National Peanut Festival in Dothan, AL.Â