Marengo mother, daughter featured at Camden festival

Published 10:26 am Thursday, April 18, 2024

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Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center (BBTCAC) will host its annual Hog Wild for Art Festival on Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

At the event, the mother/daughter team of Sher and Raigan Gates of Marengo County will give a fiber art demonstration during the main event on Saturday.

This year’s festival will feature demonstrations by artists and artisans from across the Black Belt region of Alabama, community art activities, “make and take” activities and more. This event is held in cooperation with the Wilcox Area Chamber of Commerce’s 13th annual Mark Curl Memorial BBQ Cook Off in downtown Camden.

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The activities will kick-off Friday at 5:30 p.m. with music on Broad Street from “55 South” – along with the always amazing Smokey Sam’s barbecue (food truck) and downtown restaurants 2B’s Seafood, Jackson’s Station, and The Pecan Downtown. and some raffle prizes donated by local WACC Members. Businesses throughout Camden will be open after hours.

The main event continues Saturday in downtown Camden, starting at 9 a.m. with the barbecue cook teams competing for a host of awards in ribs, chicken, Boston butts and “Taster’s Choice,” arts and crafts vendors, live music, Ira McLain’s Antique Car Show, BBTCAC’s Hog Wild for Arts Festival, a Wilcox County children’s and youth art exhibit at The Gallery, games and bounce house, a petting zoo and more. Over $1,000 worth of raffle prizes given away throughout the day provided by Wilcox Chamber business members.

Throughout the day, demonstrations will be given by several artists including: Mary Margaret Pettway (quilter); Duncan Black (ceramic sculptor); Elizabeth Taylor (metal jeweler); and Betty Anderson (soap maker).

Artist Becky Brooks will be leading two art activities: a quilt inspired “mandala mural” and a nature themed relief project. Youth artist Madi Dailey will be leading a textured bookmark activity from 10:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

In addition to the artist’s demonstrations and activities, BBTCAC will have a hands-on art-making area where kids of all ages can create art (clay, painting, printmaking, jewelry, sewing) and play a variety of outside games and activities.

Pablo PIGasso will also be on hand throughout the day to entertain and take photos with guests! A limited number of T-Shirts featuring a stained glass Pig design will also be available during the event.

Hog Wild for Art is made possible through generous contributions from Black Belt Community Foundation and members of the Black Belt Treasures Guild.

Mr. Ira McClain has returned to host the Antique Car Show, which will include several awards presented during the festivities. These cars are always a huge hit and include some great vehicles.

For more information\, call Black Belt Treasures at (334) 682-9878, email info@blackbelttreasures.com or visit our Facebook page or website www.blackbelttreasures.com.

All events will take place in downtown Camden around the Courthouse Square – on Broad and Claiborne streets.

There is still time to register as a vendor or cook team – click the links or contact Wilcox Area Chamber of Commerce at director@wilcoxareachamber.com.