How It All Began
In 1992, Sarah Towery's children wanted to give her a birthday gift in celebration of her life's dedication to art. They invited a few of Sarah's artist friends to come to Lake Martin and paint. They provided them with a place to stay and before the week was through, they knew that this magic of friendship and creativity must continue. Thus . . . The Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony on Lake Martin was born.
What began as a birthday get-together has for a many years been a gift to artists from around the country. The Art Colony has become a time for artists to work and learn together without telephones and the interruptions of modern life. Five days of painting and instruction are set on the shores of Lake Martin during one of the most beautiful times of the year. Join us for a peaceful time of creation and sharing the gift of art!
Sarah Carlisle Towery started her professional career at The University of Montevallo with Dawn Kennedy and Marya Western. She studied at various schools in the United States as well as schools and programs of study in Europe and Mexico. A list of her study is below:
| Black Mountain College, North Carolina | Jose Albers, Jean Charlot, Jose de Creft |
| Penn State University | Vicktor Lowenfield |
| Art Students League, Woodstock, NY | Arnold Blanch |
| Provincetown, MA | Hans Hoffman |
| School of Landscape Painting, Salignac, France | Tom Pomfret |
| Irish School of Landscape Painting, Cork Ireland | Kenneth Webb |
| International School of Fine Arts, Salzberg, Austria | Mario de Luigi |
| Art Institute of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico | James Pinto |
| Osman Center, Modern Museum, NY | Ed Osman |
| Peoples Center, Modern Museum, NY |
Sarah was a charter member of the World Art Workshop, which was organized in Mexico in 1972. The purpose of the organization is to travel, study and paint in unusual and unfamiliar places. Members of the group painted two summers in Greece on the islands of Samos and Paros. Sarah was one of three artist to exhibit in Samos. She has also painted in Mallorca, Spain.
A teacher for many years, Sarah taught at the Demonstration School at the University of Montevallo, Southern Union College in Wadley, AL, various public schools and private classes and workshops in her studio.
Several large murals in her hometown of Alexander City,
AL have been executed by Sarah: The First Methodist Church, Stephe
ns
Elementary School, and Specialty Services Co. Her works have been widely
exhibited. She had one woman shows in New York, Pittsburgh, Atlanta
and Wilmington,NC. Sarah's paintings are in private collections in the
United States, Mexico and abroad.
In 1999 she was awarded The Alabama Governors Award for the Arts. Sarah was one of six people in the United States who were recognized for contributions to the arts. Sarah's three children started the Sarah C. Towery Art Colony on Lake Martin. In 1991 seven members of the World Art Workshop were
"The Family" by Sarah Carlisle Towery
the first participants. In
the past few years enrollment has reached over 50 and included instructors and
students from all over the United States as well as Canada and France.
Many dedicated citizens of Alexander City and surrounding communities have been
responsible for carrying on the legacy.