By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

While the art of Chilton County residents may not be as visible as in other towns, there are several talented and creative people within its borders.

Many of these people have showcased their talents at events hosted by the Chilton County Arts Council. A major event each year is the Arts Festival, which was moved to July in recent years to have fewer events to compete with.

The event will be held on July 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Clanton Performing Arts Center at 1850 Lay Dam Road in Clanton.

Since the artwork at this event is for sale, it is a good way to support local artists.

Unique pieces, ranging from fine art paintings to woodworking, will be on display and available for sale.

Last year, the event filled the exhibit hall with a variety of colors and shapes, ranging from gourd art and sewn dolls with painted faces to paintings of hamburgers and landscapes. Several regional artists, including Tim Tingle, who created the wood carvings at Orr Park, were in attendance and are expected to return this year.

The artwork and crafts will feature a range of prices, giving opportunities for budgets large and small to take home a unique piece.

There are 10 new vendors for this year, according to organizer Mack Gothard.

“It is exciting to know that we have different people with glass, different people with paintings and new people doing woodwork with some of the old artists that come every year,” Gothard said. “It is exciting to know we have new people wanting to come to our event.”

There will be a total of 50 vendors, including local artists as well as others from Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia.