Liz Reed

After 35 years in the business world, Liz Reed sold her share of MARKETRY, a marketing research firm based in Birmingham, and retired in December 1999. For a complete change of pace and to fulfill a long-held dream, she enrolled as a degree-seeking student at the University of Alabama in Birmingham Department of Art History, graduating with honors in 2005. During her years at UAB, Reed approached each new art medium with the same vigor. Drawing, computer graphics, three-dimensional design, painting and sculpture, filmmaking-each presented a new challenge ad a different opportunity for expression. She was awarded 1st Place-Sculpture in the UAB Student Juried Exhibition her senior year.

Reed's first passion is her family and close second is the subject of racial inequality; another major concern is living a well-balanced life full of color, pattern, form, shape, and texture. Her major challenge has been transferring left-brain skills to the right-brain arts environment.

Reed is married to author and humorist, Jim Reed, owner of Reed Books in Birmingham; they have three children, one honorary daughter, and eight grandchildren. She and her husband have lived in Southside for twenty-five years.

Title: Hometown Fish Materials: acrylic on fiberglass Artist's comments: “Hometown Fish” presents images of Gadsden through the eyes of visitors: Broad Street with beautifully restored buildings, thriving cultural center; and historical footprints in the bridge across the river guarded by Emma Sansom and the beautiful bandstand on the bluff. The beauty of Gadsden invites visitors to come again and to think of Gadsden as home.”