By SANDRA ANNONIO / Guest Columnist

The Shelby County Arts Council is pleased to present the work of the SCAC Pottery Collective during the Aug. 7-Sept. 4, 2015, gallery exhibit. The public is invited to attend the opening reception on Friday, Sept. 7, 2015 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., to meet the artists and shop the exhibit. Collective members are all artists who have their “roots” in the pottery program offered by the Council.

Creating a vessel from clay is an ancient art. Since the beginning potters have used raw earth to create vessels that have withstood the test of time. Each step in the overall pottery process is an art in itself. The glazing process and firing techniques affect the finished piece as much as the process by which it is made. Pottery is often “functional art” that may be used and admired simultaneously.

Featured artists for this exhibit are Amy Pickens, Aprille Hayes, Candye Lundy, Karen Ingram, Pam Britnell, Peggy Wood, Sandra Annonio, Stephane Dikis and Vickie Carter.

All artwork is available for purchase throughout the exhibit on a “cash and carry basis”. A portion of each sale is donated to the Shelby County Arts Council (a 501C3 organization). The Shelby County Arts Council is located at 104 Mildred Street, Columbiana, 35051, and can be reached at 669-0044.

Upcoming Events at the SCAC Black Box Theatre:

Aug. 8 – Groove Daddy, 7:30 p.m., $20

Aug. 15 – Panama Jack and the Hangouts, 7:30 p.m., $20

Aug. 22 – The Lady with All the Answers: The Ann Landers Story featuring award winning story-teller, Dolores Hydock, 7:30 p.m., $20

Aug. 28 – Damon Johnson, A Solo Acoustic Concert, 7:30 p.m., $25