By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer
March is a month-long celebration of the arts for the City of Prattville. The Paint Prattville event, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and tomorrow in the historic downtown district, shows just how much the city values culture and art.
The event opens up the opportunity for artists to sprawl out downtown, and to paint different buildings and landmarks throughout the area – such as the famous cotton gin factory or the Prattville Creek.
“When these artists come to downtown, it lets people know about the talent that we have in the area. It allows spectators to understand and learn more about the City of Prattville through these artist’s work. And, it really gives people a different perspective about all the things our city has to offer,” said Barbara Simpson, Coordinator of Cultural Arts and Special Events for the City of Prattville.
The event, which started in 2006, has a great turnout annually, Simpson said. One of the biggest reasons that Paint Prattville was first created was to further people’s knowledge of the city’s past and present.
“What we love about the event is that it helps to memorialize certain locations. There might be a building or landmark that used to not be here, and if someone in 2006 painted something that was torn down, then we would have that memory on canvas forever,” Simpson said. “We like to say that Paint Prattville brings together history and art in one big showing”.
One participant in the evert, Anne Barbero, is a resident of Autauga County who understands the importance of arts and culture in the community.
“When businesses come to this area, they see that we support the arts. I’ve been painting for 30 years now, and I take every opportunity to get out in the community and work on my art whenever I can. Paint Prattville has given me that chance to do that, but it also attracts the attention of bystanders who may not be as acquainted with the fine arts,” Barbero said.
Barbero, who was vigilantly working on a watercolor of Main Street in Downtown Prattville, said she had big plans for the next two days.
“Even though it’s a little overcast outside, I’m not going to let that dampen my spirits. Hopefully, I’ll be able to move down to the street by tomorrow and get a good painting of the fountain,” Barbero laughed.
For those who did not get a chance to visit downtown Prattville this morning and afternoon, please stop by from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. tomorrow for the second full day of Paint Prattville.
