to create Art Museum

By JAINE TREADWELL

Features Editor

An internationally acclaimed artist and his wife will renew their marriage vows in Troy this Saturday and the city will symbolically unite with an art movement of unprecedented significance for the state.

The union of Nall and Tuscia was created 10 years ago in the South of France, which is home to the couple and to the Nall Museum in Vence.

The union of the City of Troy and its entities on Saturday will create the Alabama Art Museum in Troy and bring international attention to the rich heritage and the immense talent of artisans native to Alabama.

Journalists from France and Monaco will attend the double marriage ceremony and the community, the state and the world are invited to be a part of this "marriage of imagination and desire."

In a unique double wedding ceremony, Nall and Tuscia will personally reaffirm their commitment to one another and to the State of Alabama, which is the groom’s native home.

The city of Troy will celebrate the symbolic union with the Pike County Area Chamber of Commerce, Troy State University, the Pioneer Museum of Alabama and the NALL Foundation for the common purpose of supporting and sustaining the movement known as Alabama Art.

The Alabama Art movement actually began in France in the summer of 2000 when Nall opened the exhibition title Alabama Art, which featured the work of 13 Alabama artists, including Mose Tolliver, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, Frank Fleming, Yvonne Wells, Fleming Tyler Wilson and Kathryn Tucker Windham.

Gov. Don Siegelman and First Lady Lori Siegelman attended the opening of the exhibition at the Nall Museum, along with the artists and dignitaries from France and Monaco.

Aubie and Big Al, the mascots the Auburn Universtiy and The University of Alabama, traveled to France to represent the heritage and tradition of Alabama. In an unpredident "move" the mascots dance together on stage before 300 people during dinner.

The exhibition has received international attention in major artist and lifestyle magazines, including a six-page feature in Monaco Tendencies and Lifestyles and has brought the state of Alabama to the forefront of the international art community.

Nall, who studied under Salvador Dali, will be the featured artist in an exhibition which will open in Paris in September and travel to Tokyo then Rio where it will close in December.

But first, Nall has business in his native home of Troy – the business of establishing the Alabama Art Museum.

The double wedding ceremony has been planned as the christening event of the Alabama Art movement, so in lieu of gifts, guests are encouraged to make a donation to the Alabama Art Museum Building Fund.

But, gifts or no gifts, everyone is invited to this unique wedding ceremony which will be joyfully celebrated at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama, 248 U.S. Highway 231 North, Troy, at 4 p.m. Saturday May 19.

Guests are respectfully required to attend attired in the all-white ensemble of their own concoction. For ladies, veils are a must. For all guests fun, is the order of the day.

A reception will be held immediately following the ceremony and everyone is invited.