Washing Dust Off Your Soul

Much more of this and The Western Tribune will have a web site (hint hint. And I know just the person to run it). The following article, written by Nancy Hartzog, Associate Editor, appeared in this week's paper. The article is about my brother Ted Openshaw, his art, and an upcoming show. As the article says, you are invited to the opening reception at the Civil Rights Institute Friday, October 17, from 6 - 8 pm.

Through Art
Washing Dust Off Your Soul


World famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) once remarked, “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.”

Since all of us get dust on our souls from time to time, Oct. 17 through Dec. 31 is a good time to stop by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to visit a juried art exhibition hosted by the Birmingham Art Association (BAA).

“The Birmingham Art Association has held many juried shows over the years, but we are especially excited about his one, our first ever at the Civil Rights Institute,” says Dr. William Colvin, BAA vice- president.

The exhibit will feature paintings, drawings, mixed media, sculpture and digital photography.
This year’s theme is “Diversity,” and there will be 64 entries representing a range of artistic talent and sure to please a very diverse group of people.

One of the artists featured with two entries is Ted Openshaw, of Lipscomb, who moved back to the area from Clearwater, Fla. about a year and a half ago and who does oil paintings.


Openshaw studied art in high school and later with Percy Rouse in Birmingham in the early 1960s. He attended classes and participated in various workshops at the St. Petersburg Art Center and the Dunedin Fine Arts Center in Florida and has shown his work in various shows and exhibits with the Birmingham Art Association.

He’s sold quite a few paintings that hang in offices and homes in Pinellas County, Fla., Birmingham and New Orleans.

“Although I have sold some paintings, I don’t do commissioned work and I don’t paint to sell my work although it makes me feel good to know that someone wants to hang something I’ve done in their home or office,” he said.

When asked to describe his style of painting, Openshaw said, “That’s hard for me to say. I paint what I see in people and places but it’s not just reproduction.

“It’s what I see the way I see it,” Openshaw added.

The Birmingham Art Association has provided an opportunity for Openshaw and others to show their work, and according to Liz Reed, former president and membership chairman, “sees its mission to promote an interest in art and serve as a place for a new artist or emerging artist to show their work.”

The public is invited to the opening reception at the Civil Rights Institute on 16th Street North in downtown Birmingham from 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 17.

Mississippi Blue by Ted Openshaw