The Alabama Trails Foundation will receive a $10,000 award from the Alabama State Council on the Arts to evaluate how to engage the arts and artisans to support sustainable use at the newly renovated Flagg Mountain Observation Tower.
Rick Oates, State Forester of the Alabama Forestry Commission said of the project: “As the land managers for Weogufka State Forest, we believe developing feasible management options for the historic Flagg Mountain Tower is vital to engaging the public in outdoor spaces. Emphasizing the artisan commitment to building with native materials and dispelling the myth that ‘we can’t build like they used to’ is now demonstrated at Flagg Tower through the installation of the new stairs and the renovation of the cabins.”
To continue improving the visitor experience at Alabama’s special outdoor places like Flagg Mountain, The Alabama Trails Foundation is building a team to explore the full array of arts engagement and their application for the Flagg Mountain Observation Tower. There will be multiple opportunities for the public to provide input and participate in the evaluation. At the core of the project is the goal of bringing nature and artists together to allow all who love Flagg Mountain a broader experience, all while celebrating the folkways of the region.
Our team includes several leaders who have helped shape Alabama’s relationship with arts.
- Cheryl Morgan, Planner and team leader
- Will McGarity, Architect
- Jay Lamar, Artist and community engagement
- Cindy Ragland Administrative oversight
As this project evolves expect to hear more from us on the schedule of events and opportunities to share ideas with the team. Stay tuned. It will be an exciting year for Flagg Mountain!
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The Alabama State Council on the Arts’ mission is to enhance the quality of life & economic vitality for all Alabamians by providing support for the state’s diverse & rich artistic resources.
*photo from Governor Kay Ivey’s recent visit to Flagg Mountain, Governor’s Office/Hal Yeager