By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – The Lesters Chapel United Methodist Church Ladies Ministry is sponsoring the first Spring Arts and Crafts Festival on April 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

About 18 local artists will show and sell their work at the festival.

Lesters Chapel UMC members Sylvia McDonald, Rebecca Turner and Diane Ellis are among the artists that will be involved in the event.

McDonald, of Wilsonville, will have hand-built and wheel-thrown stoneware pottery items for sale, such as bowls, casserole dishes, colanders, butter crocks, garlic keepers, butter dishes, chip and dip servers and apple bakers.

“I have been focused the last six months on doing primarily functional pieces,” McDonald said, noting the items are microwave, oven, dishwasher and food safe.

In keeping with her last name, Turner will offer turned wood items such as bowls, candlesticks, Christmas ornaments, jewelry, platters and hollow forms.

“I’ve only been turning four years,” Turner said. “My dad used to work with wood. He would make furniture pieces. This is just something that my dad passed down to me.”

Turner, from Columbiana, was an art major in college and took pottery, a hobby she has held for nearly 10 years.

“I just hope we have a lot of people,” Turner said of the festival. “I just want to see a lot of people here.”

Ellis, of Columbiana, said she dabbles in many different mediums. She repurposes glass and glass bottles, makes wine bottle art and constructs wind chimes, cheeseboards, spoon rests, nut trays, plates, bowls and jewelry.

Ellis also makes stuffed animals using old cloth and materials.

“My grandchildren are the designers,” Ellis said. “They draw animals out of their imagination.”

Ellis will also have her paintings at the festival. She puts proceeds from her art sales back into mission projects.

“I love to create things,” Ellis said. “I’m just excited Lesters Chapel is doing this. Hopefully, it will grow into something bigger.”

Other artists to be featured in the festival include the following: Nettie Beane, oil paintings; Charity Bentley, jewelry; Mimi Boston, fused glass – bowls, platters and necklaces (co-founder of PaperWorkers Local Artists Cooperative, Birmingham); Lachelle Brechin and Paula Wheeler, crochet, painting and sewing; Ann Cohen, oil/canvas, acrylic/canvas; Aurelia Couch, paintings; Kathy Ellis, painted wood and fabric wall art; Nash Fayette, charcoal and pencil drawings; Sandy Johnson, children’s facepainting (Paint & Pray – Union UMC); Lindsey Kelly, functional and decorative pottery; Pamela K. Lacey, beaded utensils, pens and bowls; Ray Lee Ledbetter III, woodwork, wire statues and picture frames; Kim Lucas, sewn items including napkins, table runners, pillows and dresses; J. Lurie Jewelry; and Paula Wilder, handmade jewelry and bath salts.

Those interested in purchasing items from vendors should bring cash or check.

The Spring Arts and Crafts Festival will be held in the church gym and outside.

Local pickers musician groups will perform.

A children’s hands-on area including a face-painting artist will be set up for children. Admission to the area is free, but parents must be present.

Pulled pork sandwich boxed lunches will be available for $7 with chips and a drink, and desserts will be for sale.

Proceeds benefit local missions and outreach.

Admission to the festival is free. The church is located at 7800 Chelsea Road in Columbiana.

For more information, call 678-6259 or go to Lesterschapelumc.org.