Charlie's Artists

It's Art Camp Week at the old Dallas Academy, and campers get to create

 3-D works under the direction of famous folk artist Charlie Lucas.

 Using a variety of  trash and trinkets that vary from sections of garden hose, 

old wooden forks, beads, keys and wire, these young artists got out

 the glue guns and went to work. Campers rotated among art stations 

and also made jump ropes, painted ceramics, decorated old cigar boxes

 and had pictures made in costumes on Monday.  

Linking to Our World Tuesday and City Daily Photo Blogs

Checkers, Anyone?

Not far from the Old Depot Museum, Everyman Books offers checkerboard tables on its front porch. Bring your checkers and play awhile, or go inside and browse hundreds of interesting books and novelty collections. The proprietor has everything from old stoves and quilts to jewelry, handbags and area travel information.

Also in the building, Charlie "The Tin Man" Lucas might be found working in his art and sculpture studio.

Then, on the second Friday every month, participate in "Open Mic" Night. Read
your poetry or sing and play your song. Everyone is welcome!

Everyman Books is located on Martin Luther King Jr. Street next door to Holley's Farm and Garden Center.

Four Seasons Skywatch

How 'bout painted skies for Skywatch Friday?

This painting is such a good depiction of the four seasons of the Old South Black Belt...a light dusting of snow in winter, cotton picking in the fall, baptisms in the creek during summer and moss-laden oak trees in spring.

The artist, Don Coley of Marion, grew up on a Perry County farm and later spent some years with carnivals and the circus. He's a self-taught folk artist who now owns Roselane Antiques and Gardens where he sells antiques, art and flowers.

His biography says, "Stop by sometime, and he will tell you the rest of the story."

Coley was among artists from the Marion Art Guild who displayed their works at Artisans' Day in Selma.

Check the other Skywatch photos at Wiggers' World.
(Thanks, Tom!)

"Holding the Energy"

What can you do with rusty old shovels and chains and grill racks and...?

Charlie Lucas (The Tin Man) made a work of folk art called "Holding the Energy." Here it's on display at a recent Arts Revive show downtown. The Tin Man's work as a "scrap metal recycler" has gained him international fame. His art has been exhibited in France, New York City and New Orleans. He's taught art classes at Yale, and his story and works have appeared in more than 40 books.