Current Exhibits
avant garden
ames & luke bentley
On view in The Mack and Mary Gibson Gallery July 13--September 25
Luke Bentley grew up in Oneonta, Alabama, a place that a New York financial periodical called, "a middle-of-nowhere town". Other sources say Oneonta is the center of the universe. Growing up in Oneonta, Luke wrote stories and painted.
Like others, Luke drifted away from the center of the universe. He went to a fine school and met all sorts of people. He learned to fly and piloted planes on the far side of the world. While on the far side of the world, Luke wrote stories and painted.
When he came home, Luke met a girl, fell in love, and made a big family in Montgomery, Alabama. With a new family, he wanted to be home, not on the far side of the world. So, he studied lawa nd got a nice legal job. He also still wrote stories and painted.
After exploring the world, making a family, and getting a job, Luke grew a sweet beard. One day while stroking his beard, he decided that he would share his stories and his paintings. Luke and his wife, Ames Bentley, are sharing some of their paintings at their exhibition, Avant Garden.
Avant Garden is a creative partnership of husband-and-wife artists Ames and Luke Bentley. Though each artist has a distinct visual language, both embrace bold color, expressive forms, and storytelling. Luke's stylized portraits and figures invite viewers to imagine their own narratives, while Ames' vibrant florals, still lifes, and nature-inspired paintings capture the beauty and joy found in everyday life.
common place
karvarus & sara moore
On view July 13--September 25
Karvarus Moore is a 29 year old artist and educator from Montgomery, Alabama. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts with a 2D concentration from Troy University in 2019. He later earned his MFA in Painting and Drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2022. His work has been exhibited locally, as well as Chicago IL, Milwaukee WI, and New York City NY. He is currently a lecture professor of Art and Design at Troy University.
Sara Ivey Moore was born and raised in Alabama where she currently is a resident of Troy, Alabama. A lot of her inspiration comes from the resident wildlife, nature and the people in her surroundings. She explores this through different art media to grasp a better understanding of the world and its colorful surroundings. She attended Troy University, where she earned her BFA in 2019; studying painting, ceramics, and sculpture. After graduation, Sara now pursues a career as an art educator where he passion is to inspire young minds for the arts.
Common Place brings together the work of husband-and-wife artists Karvarus and Sara Moore in an exhibition exploring identity, family, faith, and the quiet beauty of everyday life. Karvarus' emotionally rich portraits and still lifes examine humanity through themes of vulnerability and interconnectedness, while Sarah's expressive paintings transform ordinary moments into colorful celebrations of life. Their work reminds us that the most meaningful stories are often found in the places and experiences we know best.
Stories in portrait
paintings by mark moseley
On view in The Tile Gallery April 2--August 11
Stories in Portrait features a collection of works by Mark Moseley that examine the complexity of identity through portraiture. Each painting moves beyond simple representation, offering layered narratives and meanings.
Featuring family and friends, Moseley's subjects are portrayed with a sense of familiarity and depth, offering insight into their personalities and lived experiences. Symbolism is subtly woven throughout, enriching each composition and living interpretation. His experimental techniques emphasize light, layering, and texture-- creating surfaces that mirror the complexity of the individuals depicted.
Moseley earned his Bachelor of Arts from Troy University's Department of Art and Design in 1996 and a Master's in Education with an emphasis in Art in 1999. He is currently a professor in the Department of Art and Design at Troy University and is orginally from Elba. He is known for his commissioned portraits, including that of Mack Gibson, on view in the front gallery. Also an accomplished photographer, Moseley brings a refined understanding of light to his paintings, enhancing their depth and presence. Notably, his paintings Remnants, included in Stories in Portrait, was awarded First Place in the 2025 juried exhibition Sants and Sinners at the JCA.