COVINGTON COUNTY, Ala. – The Cotton Street Gallery in Andalusia has launched a new art exhibit that celebrates the evolution of gloves in women’s fashion. Titled “When The Gloves Came Off,” the show runs through the beginning of 2027 and is free to the public.

Local effort brings a rare museum‑type experience to south Alabama

“You wouldn’t normally find an exhibit like this in a small town in south Alabama,” says Joree Jones, a board member of the Cotton Street Gallery. “You would have to normally go to Montgomery, Birmingham, Huntsville. And I think that to be able to curate this and have the quality of show that we have put together, is something I want more people to experience.”

The exhibit walks visitors through more than five centuries of glove history, beginning in the 1500s when gloves first entered women’s wardrobes as a sign of status. Each room represents a different era, using a mix of interviews, video clips, period clothing, and actual gloves to illustrate changing styles and social attitudes.

Highlights include celebrity portraits and family‑friendly content

Among the visual highlights are portraits of celebrities who have made gloves a signature accessory, such as Lady Gaga and the late Dolly Parton. While the focus is on women’s fashion, Jones notes that the exhibit offers something for everyone, including men and children.

Local etiquette consultant Dawn Thompson, owner of Chantilly House, adds historical context. “We started having cultural revolutions and ladies started rejecting the old rules,” she explains. “In the 1960s women started tossing aside the old rules, and with that the hats, and then the high heels, and the dresses.” Thompson teaches young students proper manners and sees the exhibit as a visual lesson in how social customs evolve.

Practical details for visitors

The Cotton Street Gallery is open Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, and the exhibit will remain on view until early 2027, giving residents ample opportunity to explore the fashion history of an accessory that once defined elegance and propriety.

Community members are encouraged to bring families, school groups, and anyone interested in the intersection of fashion, culture, and local heritage. For more information, visitors can contact the gallery directly or check its website.

Original reporting: Alabama News Network — read the source article.