International Arts Center honors artist Nall Hollis with reception

The Troy University International Arts Center (IAC) held a reception to honor Nall Hollis and his legacy last Thursday. The reception offered a first look into “Collected Visions 1: The Nall Archive,” the newest exhibition in the Nall Museum and Gallery. 

The exhibition, curated by Carrie Jaxon, Mark Mosely and Jonny Farrow, features selections from Nall’s early works, pieces by artists who inspired him, as well as objects from his personal collection. The exhibition features various photographs and images that provide insight into his process and life. 

Nall, who is originally from Troy, collected his most important works to be put on permanent display at the IAC and donated more of his estate to Troy upon his death last September. Upon his request, Nall’s urn now resides in the museum, as well. 

Troy University First Lady Janice Hawkins, who was a good friend of Nall, shared a few words. 

“We are so blessed and proud of what we have,” Hawkins said. “Nall is a very good friend. 

“He is here now – in case you don’t know; Nall loved Troy so much and loved the university so much that his ashes are here, and the greatest gift that Nall gave us is that he left his estate to Troy University, and we are so thankful.” 

The reception featured refreshments and live music performed by Dr. Dave Camwell, professor of saxophone, and Dr. Ben Crook, assistant professor of collaborative piano. 

Camwell and Crook gave a special performance of Cosmic Harmonies, a composition by Robert W. Smith. The three movements of the piece are each inspired by one of Nall’s works: “Adam and Eve in Yelapa,” “Alternative Southern Belle” and “Cosmic Harmonies,” all of which are displayed at the IAC. 

Jonny Farrow, assistant professor of art and curator of the exhibition, shared some insight into the curation process. 

“[Mosely and Jaxon] worked all summer to pull work from various locations of Nall’s archives,” Farrow said. “[Jaxon] and I set the walls and then started deciding where things should go and just really blend Nall’s work with the things that he collected.” 

Farrow also shared what he hopes others take away from the exhibition. 

“What I hope others take away is to try and see through Nall’s eyes in a way,” Farrow said. “That’s one of the features of the exhibit actually is we placed eyes around in different spots just to indicate that.” 

Camryn Dupre, a freshman visual arts major from Troy, Alabama, shared her biggest takeaway from the exhibition. 

“[My biggest takeaway] was how they said they wanted to convey his life throughout the pieces,” Dupre said. “His art is pretty emotional, and it makes me think about where he was or what he was thinking when he made them.” 

Anyone interested in viewing the exhibition can visit the IAC, which is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.