The Alluvian will honor the late Jim Seale, curator of The Alluvian Art Collection, during Main Street Greenwood’s annual Art Alfresco event Thursday.
Six pieces of art by Seale — who was described by one peer as “instrumental in solidifying the idea of Delta school of painting and art” — are on permanent display in the upscale hotel in downtown Greenwood. On Thursday, Art Alfresco guests will be given a printed guide showing where Seale’s work can be found in the hotel.
“As curator of The Alluvian Art Collection, Jim created a sense of place that connects even the most casual visitor to the unique landscape of the Mississippi Delta,” Carol Puckett, Viking Hospitality Group President, said in a statement. “Not only was he a gifted and prolific artist himself, he vigorously promoted the work of other artists in the Delta.”
Seale, who died last September at the age of 51, was born in Batesville and eventually settled in Merigold. He graduated from Delta State University and went on to obtain a Master of Fine Arts degree in advertising design at Syracuse University.
After stints as an art director in Memphis and Louisiana, he became director of the fine arts division of John-Richard in Greenwood. While at that furniture and accessory manufacturer, he originated the Grand Boulevard Collection, a series of framed art distributed to luxury retail stores worldwide.
In 2002, while The Alluvian was close to opening, Seale was asked to put together a portfolio of artists whose work reflected themes of the Delta. From those studies, the many artistic works hanging in The Alluvian today were commissioned.
The Alluvian Art Collection won the Governor’s Award for Excellence in 2007.
“Not only was he a tremendous artist himself, he really promoted other artists in the Delta,” said Dr. Collier Parker, dean of Delta State’s College of Arts and Sciences. “His work with the Alluvian collection was instrumental in solidifying the idea of a Delta school of painting and art. Jim was a supporter of the arts and did a great deal in exposing art from this area.”
During Art Alfresco, 36 local artists will exhibit their work in shops around downtown Greenwood. The event, which includes live music, is from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
