Musician planning benefit for curator who was shot

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The Mobile music and art communities are coming together to honor Wayne McNeil with a benefit art show and concert.

McNeil was released from the hospital on Thursday after being shot while sitting on the front porch of his Midtown home. McNeil is the art curator at Space 301 in downtown Mobile.

Local musician Gregg Fells is bringing art and music together to honor McNeil and say that he and others have had enough of the violence.

“I thought it would be great to get both communities together to share art, share music and also meet together and address the issues and talk about these issues together,” said Fells.

Fells hopes the event will not only help the McNeil family, but start a conversation between the community and officials about the recent crimes.

Fells lives in Midtown and says this incident hit home.

"I noticed a trend in the crime happening in Midtown. It’s been alarming to everyone in the community and I don't really know Wayne or his family personally, but was just outraged by what happened. That you can be sitting in your home minding your own business and someone comes up and just shoots you. It’s just very alarming to a lot of us,” said Fells.

Related: Curator shot outside Midtown home

The event happens Sunday at the Brickyard in Downtown Mobile. There will be live music from local artists, art demonstrations and a live auction.

Doors will open at 1 p.m. and close at sunset. It’s a donation only event with all proceeds benefiting the McNeil family.