The South is home to incredible artistic talent that spans across many mediums, techniques, and unique points of view. While there is no lack of beautiful art being created locally, there is a lack of spaces to showcase these pieces and interact with the minds behind them. The Loyola Art Show, Mobile’s premier fine art shopping experience, has been envisioned and brought to life to make this dream of an event a reality. Taking place on the 22^nd and 23^rd of this month, the show will host more than 60 of the Southeast’s most inspiring artists.

For Kimberly Zukley, a fine artist by trade and a driving force behind The Loyola Art Show, initial inspiration came from time spent at similar events in major cities. In her early years, she explains, “I started to immerse myself in events around the country, predominantly in the Southeast that catered to fine artists—shows where you had 50 to 100 artists travel to Nashville or Atlanta.” Apart from the sheer volume of talented artists in one space, she was struck by the feeling emanating from these experiences.

“I was just blown away by the sense of community with a couple of different events across the country. Being in Mobile—being a part of a town that is so deeply rooted in art and art history—I saw this opportunity for Southern artists to truly do the same thing,” Kimberly shares. For the team, the show is much more than a simple way to connect artists to potential buyers; it is an event that is intended to be a catalyst for community.

One of the Gulf Coast’s only fine art shows, with dreams of becoming a must-attend event, execution is everything. For the team, the show offers the opportunity to combine aesthetic excellence with intentionality to provide attendees with something to eagerly add to their annual calendar. From the spacious venue to each beautifully curated collection of artwork, the energy of the event space has been described as the intersection between a New York City loft and a Southern beach vibe. The coastal chic charm has been embraced and carried throughout all marketing and community efforts.

This year’s featured artist is the endlessly talented Alabama native AK Hardeman. Working across many mediums, primarily acrylic and oil paint, AK creates one-of-a-kind abstracts that utilize color to create chemistry with the viewer. “I am simply interested in the use of color and aesthetic freedom. I try to create the semblance of an object that gives rise to the viewer’s own emotions and feelings. My goal is for viewers to invent and unravel their own meaning,” AK shares.

The artists in attendance range in style, approach, and experience, bringing a beautiful depth of skill to the event. Through a juried selection process, each artist was vetted by an experienced panel of nearly a dozen jurors. Approved artists will be traveling from several states, from Arkansas to the Carolinas, to showcase their work and get in front of fresh sets of eyes. Drawing interior designers, collectors, artists, and lovers of local art, last year’s inaugural event saw an impressive crowd.

“It was exciting to see people get excited about art… to see people find an artist that really spoke to them that they would’ve otherwise never crossed paths with. To see the light and joy in their eyes, that they’re bringing something home that is just theirs. That was really special,” the team shares.

For The Loyola Art Show, the goal is to create something lasting that resonates deeply and cultivates community over time. With a successful first year in the books, this month’s event hopes to once again capture that same sense of connection.

 

Find more information about The Loyola Art Show here.