MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – The Montgomery Area Business Committee for the Arts is closing its doors after 46 years of serving the River Region.

The Montgomery Area Business Committee for the Arts was founded in 1979 by the late Wynton “Red” Blount.

“Red started a great legacy,” former Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange, said. “This committee for the arts has really been a driving force through a couple of executive directors, not many, to bring arts and the business community together.”

Throughout its history, the organization was dedicated to bringing business and the arts together for the betterment of the river region through its recognition programs, including the Business in the Arts Awards, consulting services, educational programs, public art projects, and numerous art shows throughout its history. For MABCA, it’s the end of an era.

“We feel like we’ve really achieved our mission, and our businesses here in Montgomery and the River Region understand the importance of supporting the arts,” Ashley Dubose Ledbetter, MABCA Executive Director, said.

Though MABCA is coming to a close, its legacy lives on.

“When I started as executive director, I think we had 150 people attending our annual luncheon,” Ledbetter said. “At our last luncheon, we had more than 750 in attendance. So, we saw great growth, and it really is due to our board members, our business community, and our arts organizations.”

Supporting art, creativity, and community connections.

The organization established Montgomery’s first public art commission and has managed numerous art installations.

Key projects include the Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. memorials, Selma to Montgomery March 50th anniversary sculptures, Nat King Cole and Civil Rights Murals.

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