Pretty Pottery

I think artists are getting more and more creative with pottery. These brightly painted pieces were for sale at a recent arts and crafts show. Which piece do you like best?

Tractors on Parade

Well, I'm not sure if this is a tractor or a tank, but it got a lot of cheers at Saturday's West Dallas Antique Tractor Show!

Sponsored by the Orrville Volunteer Fire Department, the show attracted a huge crowd from all over Alabama. They came to bring and see dozens of old tractors and cars, browse some 50 vendor booths, eat barbecue, roasted ears of corn and homemade ice cream.

There was music... country, bluegrass and even "Elvis," along with a rock climb for kids and a Country Kids Playground that had a slide attached to big round hay bales. The gorgeous weather as well as no Alabama or Auburn football until 6 p.m. helped round up the folks.

Artist at Work

Vicky Stoudenmire demonstrated her artistic techniques at the May at the Museum arts and crafts sale recently.

Artists are so much fun to watch! You can see how they look at their canvass and add shadows and hues to make a masterpiece.

Founders' Day 2009

Arts, crafts and food lined the walking trail at the Valley Grande Park Saturday as hundreds of people turned out for Founders' Day.

This year, the town has added a pavilion, and music groups sang and played for the crowd. High School bands performed nearby under a tent.

The rural community just north of Selma was incorporated in 2003.

May at the Museum

Those who visited May at the Museum on Saturday got to walk across Oriental carpets that were for sale. I think they look rather royal.

The arts and crafts fundraiser benefited the Old Depot Museum, which features exhibits of Selma, Dallas County and the Black Belt. Displays were stationed across the rear grounds where museum exhibits include railroad cars, a law enforcement building, firefighter museum, cotton scales, buggies and agricultural implements.

Kenan's Mill Fall Festival

Saturday was a perfect day for the annual Kenan's Mill Fall Festival.

The 19th Century mill ground corn for sale. Musicians strummed bluegrass melodies, and cloggers tapped in time on the wooden pavilion. Charlie Lucas was there with his folk art paintings and trash-to-treasure sculptures. Other artists and craftsmen brought quilts, birdhouses and Christmas decorations. Children rode in a tractor-pulled wagon up the dirt road and then on ponies beneath the trees. They thrilled with a jaunt across Valley Creek on a swinging bridge.

Join us at the mill next year on the first Saturday in November!

From the Master's Hand

The hands of Allen Ham mold the clay that forms the shape of these pitchers and bowls. Ham was among craftsmen who participated in Artisans' Day, and he demonstrated pottery throwing for the crowd.

Hmmm...this looks like what would be found in my grandmother's kitchen cabinets.

Here is a link to Black Belt Treasures that features a clay jack-0-lantern by Ham.

Lessons from the Best

You're never too young, too modern or too high-tech to learn an old technique!
The famous Quilters of Gees Bend graciously shared their quilting knowledge with this young Selmian at Artisans' Day on Saturday. The event was sponsored by Easter Seals West Central Alabama Rehabilitation Center, and proceeds helped fund SPEC (Special Education Preschool Center). Numerous arts and crafts were for show and sale, and along with the quilters, other demonstrations included pasta art, basket weaving, percussion techniques, wire art and pottery. There was a silent auction and plenty of hamburgers and hot dogs enjoyed beneath the shade trees.

(These are the same quilters who recently were visited by presidential candidate John McCain during his Time for Action Tour. You can view that video HERE.)