WEST ALABAMA MEMORIES 2023 ORNAMENT
The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center (DWCAC) is a cherished cultural landmark housed in the historic Alen & Jemison Co. Hardware building in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Constructed in 1903, this four-story, 50,000 square-foot red brick building has deep roots in the community, with residents reminiscing about its days as a one-stop shop for goods ranging from lumber to wedding China. The City of Tuscaloosa Secured a $1.5 million HUD grant to restore and revitalize the space. The project was entrusted to The Arts Council, resulting in the establishment of Tuscaloosa' first cultural arts center. Today the DWCAC is a vibrant hub of cultural activity, offering a wide range of facilities, including a Black Box Theater, Grand Hall, gallery spaces, and offices for various arts organizations. Its grand opening, held on August 29, 2013, coincided with the birthday of Dinah Washington, a renowned jazz and blues vocalist and pianist who hails from Tuscaloosa and is celebrated as the "Queen of Blues." Her legacy lives on, in this cultural treasure.