Words by Anna Duncan-Owens | Images by Ryan McGill
When Kat Murray became the Executive Director of the Walker County Arts Alliance (WCAA) in late 2024, she brought along a lifelong passion for the arts, education, and community engagement.
As a talented artist and educator, Kat combines her creative vision with her commitment to fostering an innovative and creative culture in Walker County.
Kat’s artistic exploration began at a young age, fueled by her desire to shape the world around her.
This passion led her to earn a bachelor’s degree in art from the University of Montevallo and a Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking from the University of Alabama. Along the way, she’s racked up an impressive list of accomplishments, including the 2023 Innovation Seed Grant for her project Grabbing Traces, a solo show at Birmingham’s Paper Workers Local, and participation in the juried 45th Annual Alabama A to Z exhibition at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts.
In addition to working in the studio, Kat completed an internship at the Smithsonian’s Postal Museum in Washington, D.C. During this time, she designed educational programs aligned with the museum collections. The internship showed her how art could be both educational and inspirational and prepared her for a career in arts leadership.
“It really broadened my view of what a career in the arts could look like,” she says. “It showed me that there are so many ways to inspire and educate others through art.”
Her path eventually brought her to Walker County, where she joined WCAA as a visual arts teacher in early 2024. Working directly with students across the area solidified her passion for making art accessible to everyone.
“Being able to teach while serving as Executive Director has reinforced my dedication to making art accessible to all corners of Walker County,” she says. “The children in our programs have so much energy and creativity, and working with them is inspiring.”
Now, at the helm of WCAA, Kat’s days are anything but predictable. She’s juggling everything from organizing events like Art in the Park to managing exhibitions and overseeing the organization’s operations.
One of her main goals for her first year is to highlight WCAA’s in-school programs. These programs give students hands-on opportunities in visual arts, music, storytelling, pottery, and dance. These programs aim to ensure students have access to a well-rounded education enriched by creative expression.
Under Kat’s leadership, WCAA continues to engage the local arts community in multiple ways. Its gallery space, located within Bevill State Community College’s Jasper Campus, showcases rotating exhibits of local and regional artists; annual events like the Art in the Park festival—celebrating its 20th year on May 10, 2025—bring community members together. In addition to the variety of programs, summer art camps, and workshops, WCAA will also host two Birmingham Children’s Theatre productions: The Littlest House in the Forest, for ages 1-5 on February 22, 2025, and Jack and the Beanstalk, for elementary school-aged children on April 26, 2025.
Kat’s excitement about new programs on the horizon is infectious.
“I am really looking forward to the Budding Artist Exhibition in April. It’s an opportunity for high school and college students from Walker County and surrounding areas to showcase their work. Admission is free, and it’s just such an inspiring event.”
This exhibit will close with a reception on April 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. Also, Meet WCAA’s Visual Artists (February 10 – March 24) presents Kat and fellow artist Hannah Lewis in a show that shares how their studio practices inform their teaching.
In addition to these events, Kat highlighted the 50 Mule Team public art project, which has since grown to include over 75 mules around Walker County.
“It’s just a beautiful representation of our community’s creativity and history,” she says. The project is now one of the signature highlights of The Walker County Arts Alliance, bringing artists and local businesses together.
Looking to the future, Kat sees WCAA continuing to grow into a thriving center for the arts. She would like expanded programming with more workshops by local and regional artists, a regular concert series, and continued collaboration with other organizations to bring dynamic arts experiences to the county. Her vision is an outgrowth of her core belief that Art brings people together and builds stronger communities.
“That’s what makes art so powerful—its ability to connect,” says Kat. “That connection is what builds a stronger Walker County.”
Kat’s appreciation for the support she receives is what underpins her efforts.
“The thing that inspires me is the unbelievable support received from our community—the donors, the sponsors, and volunteers that make all of this possible,” she says. “I am most grateful for the Walker Area Community Foundation and the Walker County Board of Education, as well as the students, teachers, and principals who open their schools to us and work with us to make the arts come alive. None of this would be possible without them.”
Kat’s passion for the arts and her unwavering dedication to Walker County shine through in everything she does. Whether she’s enhancing school programs or organizing community events that unite people, her leadership embodies the transformative power of the arts.
She often sums up her approach with her favorite motto: “If you’re not having fun, you’re doing something wrong.”
With Kat’s vision and boundless energy, she is making a difference today and ensuring that the future of the arts in Walker County shines brighter than ever, with fun undoubtedly being part of the equation. WL
