Steven and William Ladd were proud to launch the National Scrollathon at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University in 2024, an engagement that endures as Alabama’s contribution to America’s 2026 Semiquincentennial and its goal of telling our story through the collaborative creation and presentation of world-class art.

From March 11-15, 2024, over 450 Community Artists from Alabama participated in sessions where they created individual artworks kept as personal artifacts, contributed to a Collaborative Masterwork, and had individual photographic portraits created. The five days concluded with a celebration of the Collaborative Masterwork, Made for More, which was installed at the Museum along with a Portrait Mural and Signature Plate showcasing each participant. Additionally, a series of storytelling videos of participants was recorded.

The catalyst for Scrollathon was artist-brothers Steven and William Ladd’s belief in the creative capacity of every human being and in the magnified power of community. Partnering with hundreds of stakeholders and institutions, Scrollathon has reached thousands of people since 2006. The National Scrollathon is a nationwide initiative offering meaningful engagement to people of diverse ages, backgrounds, and abilities through the creation and presentation of monumental Collaborative Masterworks of art from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., 5 U.S. territories, and Native Community Regional Centers—all in celebration of America’s 250th Birthday in 2026.