Every inch of the Shelby County Arts Council filled with color earlier this month as 70 artists submitted more than 190 pieces of artwork for the council’s first juried art show.

“We are trying to encourage artists to put themselves out there,” said Susan Dennis, director of arts and education. “By giving them the opportunity to share their work, we could be starting a whole new venture in somebody’s life.”

The council plans to celebrate those brave artists with an opening reception Thursday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m.

Awards will be given out at about 6:45 p.m. with 14 awards being given out for drawing, oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, printmaking and photography. There will also be a “Best of Show” award and seven honorable mentions.

Dennis said the event would be a great chance for those who can’t make the trek to Birmingham galleries to see beautiful work right here in South Shelby County.

“A lot of those who entered have been artists all their lives,” she said.

The council decided to host the juried art show because of demand, Dennis said.

She said many artists find they can’t enter their work in art festivals or shows because they have not competed in a juried event. Dennis said the council did not see any reason why it couldn’t fill that need.

Judging the show was University of Montevallo professor Scott Stephens. Stephens has judged numerous shows. His eyes took a look at work from all of the following Greater Birmingham/Shelby artists: Laura and Robert Alvord, Kim Bouler, Laura Brookhart, Kimberly Bullock, Marilyn Burrier, Sherri Campbell, Allison Cleveland, Ron Countryman, Rae Lynn Dodson, Nancy Ellis, Don Estes, Amy Feger, Pat Hare, Barbara M Henderson, Mary Liz Ingram, Kristin M Martin, Patrick Mayton, Gabrielle McCool, Shirley Northcutt, Liliane Nublat, Barbara Prior, Rachel Ranson, Debra E Riffe, Janet Sanders, Edna Sealy, Rebecca Sharding, Patricia M. Smith, Deanne Thorn, Nealy Vardaman, Deb Warnat, Michael Wooten and Jason Wren.

Dennis said all 39 selected pieces would be on display and for sale. She said this allows people to take home great art and be exposed to artists they may have never seen before now.

“This is also a great chance for families to come and get familiar with the gallery,” Dennis said.

New fall classes begin the first week of September. For more information on the Shelby County Arts Council, visit ShelbyCountyArtsCouncil.com.