Buddy Spradley will be exhibiting his beautiful acrylic paintings in the Leeds Arts Council’s gallery for the month of November.  The arts council will host an opening reception on Sunday, November 4 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.  The public is invited. There is no charge; however, the paintings will be available for purchase.

 Spradley received a degree in Art from Jacksonville University and in Art Education from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.  He is an educator in the Pell City School System.  He has had many opportunities to teach art on various grade levels and feels that teaching children in school and in Sunday school has been a calling from God.   

 Art has been an important aspect of Spradley’s life for as long as he can remember.  He says that having a father who is an internationally known artist was a difficult act to follow, but he was always determined to do his own thing and experiment with as many kinds of media as possible.  Having been raised going to art exhibitions and museums exposed him to many different types of art and artists and helped him develop his own sense of creativity.  He is a very emotional artist and can feel what he is painting and sense the moment he is trying to capture.  Like his father, Wayne Spradley, he physically and emotionally feels color and mood in a painting.  He paints mainly realism but occasionally ventures into the abstract.

 The artist says that both of his parents were always supportive.  His mother, the late Patricia Spradley was his encouragement and a best friend who always told him like it was.   “Do it” was of her sayings that has kept him trying harder.  It was her wisdom and sense of determination that drives him even today. He says continues to miss her deeply.   The artist refers to his father as “a great teacher and advisor” and say that he was the biggest influence on his work.

 Spradley has been involved in many art and writing projects throughout the years.  He designed the city seal for the City of Pell City; illustrated many projects for church; and has painted murals in locations ranging from churches, schools, nursing facilities, and peoples’ homes.  He has also taught many workshops and summer art programs, mainly for children.

 For more information regarding the reception, exhibit, or other LAC events, call the arts center at 205-699-1892 or go to the web site:  www.leedsartscouncil.org.  The center is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and during LAC events.  In case of inclement weather, call ahead.