By CATHERINE LEGG / Community Columnist

This year’s annual Montevallo Arts Fest is scheduled for Saturday, April 14, in Orr Park from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Montevallo Arts Council, chaired by Suzanne Hurst, sponsors the event, and they will have some 56 artists exhibiting all types of paintings including watercolors and oils, pottery, gourds sculptures, photography, jewelry, wood turning and carving creations, and print making designs.

A special feature of the show will be a plein air (open air) “quick draw” contest beginning with the sound of a horn at 10:30 a.m. when artists will be given two hours to paint a picture of something they choose; people, animals, scenery, or anything in the surrounding area. Another horn at 12:30 p.m. will end their allotted time and the announcement of winners will be made at 3 p.m. As folks walk around the park enjoying the artistic creations they will be entertained with the music of the Shelby Strummers at 10:30 a.m., the Neo Jazz Collective at noon, and guitar player Caylan Sallas singing his own songs at 3 p.m. Visitors will be tempted by the tantalizing aroma of popcorn, hamburgers, hot dogs and desserts offered by First Baptist Church. In discussing the success of the annual Arts Fest, Hurst said, “Every time an artist creates, he or she is giving a piece of themselves for all of us to see; a new piece.  This is the same for any type of art visual arts, music, literature, performing arts — anything.  When you go to each Arts Fest you are seeing new pieces from, and of, each artist.  This keeps the show alive and exciting.”

Among those working with Hurst in planning this year’s show were Julie McEntee (music), Jason Cooper (publicity), John Wesley (food) and Herman Lehman (site preparation).

Some of the local exhibiting artists are: David Frazier, Lauren Jones, Debbie Sullivan, Beverly Stamps, Keith Bidwell, Andrew Cost, Sandy Swindall, Karen Neal, Melinda Doriety, Walter Simon, and Rachel Crisson; all of Montevallo. Members from surrounding towns are Teresa Wamble, David Chanslor, Jo Ann Mims, Lincoln Gaborik, Martha Fulghum, Jeannie Brown, Dian McCray, Tym Davis, and Joel and Michele Lockridge.

For more information about the Arts Fest, contact Hurst at bluephroggallery@att.net.

Catherine Legg can be reached at clegg2@bellsouth.net