“The Magic of Marble”
Brown Bag Lecture Series
(Programs sponsored by Alabama Trust Bank)
This project was also assisted by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
*The “Magic of Marble” Project is a part of the Alabama State Council on the Arts cultural exchange with Italy. The programs are designed to stimulate interest and prepare for the festival which will be begin April 17th and culminate with a “Pact of Friendship” with officials from
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 (Jim Deloach)
“The Resurgence of Marble in the Décor of the World”
Find out about the place of marble in the commercial world where the beauty and durability of stone help create buildings for the ages. Marble is sought after for statuary, private tombs, mausoleums and for public places, but it also has a continued presence in the residential world of bathrooms, kitchens, counters and flooring. Jim Deloach grew up in the area, graduated from Fayetteville High School and began his career in the marble industry in 1956. He gained experience with Stewart Resources, became President of International Stone and Erectors, and started his own business in 1979, furnishing and installing stone. Today, over 60 high-rise buildings and 1,000 mausoleums have marble or granite furnished by his company.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 (Joey Brackner)
“Tombstones and Their Makers”
Hear about the importance of the early marble industry in Sylacauga and the impact of the state’s stone carvers on the 19th century cemetery landscape in Alabama. Joey Brackner has been a Folklorist with the Alabama State Council on the Arts since 1985. He is the Council’s Director of the Alabama Center for Traditional Culture and has done extensive studies of Alabama’s graveyard landscapes with emphasis on tombstone styles.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009 (Ruth Cook)
“GANTTS QUARRY: Working There, Living There”
Take a journey back through time to the company villages of Gantt’s Quarry, with photos and personal memories shared by those who worked there or grew up there. The presenter, Ruth Cook, is a noted author from Birmingham whose books include North across the River and Guests behind Barbed Wire. She had conducted a study of Sylacauga marble for the upcoming “Magic of Marble” Festival.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 (Ruth Cook)
“Giuseppe Moretti: The Man, the Marble, the Artistic Lifestyle”
Learn about this internationally recognized sculptor who lived and worked in Sylacauga for a time and who played a vital role in the appreciation and development of marble resources in Sylacauga. He owned a quarry, built a home and touted Sylacauga marble as some of “the finest in the world.” Moretti is known for his marble sculpture but also for the stature of Vulcan in Birmingham.
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