MARION – Instead of art and crafts, Don Coley, owner of Roselane Antiques and Gardens, hobby is arts and flowers.

Usually Roselane is an antique and flower shop where Coley grows his plants, but this weekend Coley will host his first art show and sale.

The event will be at Roselane on 220 Clements Street in Marion from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“My workers paint so I want to show their art and I am asking people in the community to volunteer their work,” he said. “My people are primitive artists and they are just doing their thing.”

According to Coley, the “primitive” artists he works with are “self-taught” people who create “country, out-back” scenes.

The featured artist is Ernest Williams, a Marion native who has been painting for three years.

“We sent 32 of his paintings to San Francisco and 22 of them sold on the first day,” Coley said. “I am expecting about 20 other artists as well.”

Coley said works by Buffy Taylor of Tallulah’s and various members of the Marion School system will also be displayed.

Because this is Coley’s first art show he said this is a trial and error run to learn how to promote a showcase and then he hopes to branch out in the region.

“People should come out and support the arts and see different kinds of art,” he said. “Nine out of ten people who come out will want to start painting too.”

Coley, who began painting after he saw his co-workers enjoying the art form, said painting is a good pastime for anyone and is relaxing when you get involved.

“Marion’s an artistic town,” Coley said. “But we don’t say we’re artists. We just paint.”

If you are interested in displaying your work, contact Coley at (334) 683-8310.

There is no cost to display your work, but a sales percentage donation would be appreciated.

“It’s a fun thing, not a money thing,” Coley said.