BY AMANDA PEVEY
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
On Friday, Wetumpka held its first Friday of the month Art Walk from 4 to 8 p.m. in historic downtown.
People seemed to be enjoying themselves as they strolled around the block, viewing amazing artwork from local, talented artists.
There was food, local shops stayed opened later, and live music along the streets of downtown. It was a great place to be if you were looking for some incredible pieces for your collection or love live music.
Sweet Home Books had a book signing with local author Jeff S. Barganier who is a travel writer. He has published four books, as well as articles for Boom Magazine, and written articles for AL magazine over the past 20 years.
The Art Walk event will be back in November on the First Friday of month.
Many of the talented visual artists shared their talent, with artwork for sale. Marty Woodall’s art pieces were watercolor, pastels, oils, acrylics, and alcohol ink. She started doing art at age four, and has been doing it for 67 years of her life.
Woodall said, “I am hosting a Charis Crafters ‘Home for the Holidays’ 2021 Craft Show on November 11-13 2021. It will be at the Wetumpka Civic Center. There will be over 30 crafters, 2nd edition cookbooks, and door prizes. Tickets are only $5, and they are good for all three days. Thursday, and Friday from 9am-7pm. Saturday’s time is from 9am-3pm. Proceeds from the tickets and cookbook sales benefit local charities.”
Larry Stewart has been painting for 12 years and specializes in landscapes, portraits, animals, and oil paintings. Bella Rosa Cottage Jewelry designed by Rosa Hubbard Kulik had amazing jewelry she made and each of the pieces were magnificent.
Dr. Robert H. Mullins is a pastor for Crossroads Community Church and a local artist for Preacher Man Art. He focuses his work in abstract expressionism. He uses a palette knife to do his paintings.
Neill Thompson, owner from Longleaf Wood Shop, took part in the HGTV Hometown Takeover series that aired in Wetumpka. He specializes in wood engraving and has been doing this type of work for over 40 years.
David Coleman, owner of My Historic District, restores old photos for homes and businesses with historic artwork of their towns. He had plenty of restored pictures of the beautiful town of Wetumpka.
Sarah Tanner, local visual artist, does watercolor and acrylic paintings. She also does resin and alcohol ink art. She focuses on botanical and abstract theme art.
Teresa Wamble is a Gourd Art artist. She has done this kind of work for over 15 years. On display, Wamble had gourds, eggs, paintings, and fans and each of them had a story to tell.
Glenn Wills, author, has published three books and does photography as well for the past 10 years. His book “Forgotten Alabama,” was on display at the Art Walk.
Carole Jean from Raven’s Rest is a talented wood carving specialist. She has been doing this line of work for 35 years. She uses cypress, cedar, white pine, and jelutong wood for her pieces.
Shellie Whitfield, owner of the Big Fish house, has been painting for over 15 years. She had beautiful pieces of artwork displayed outside on the lawn at the Big Fish house.
Finch Allen, artist of Finch Allene Art, does alcohol ink art, watercolor, and graphite paintings. He has been doing this line of work for 30 years. Allen’s artwork is displayed at the Red Hill Gallery in Lake Martin, Alabama.
Keith LeFevre, owner of Epik Metal, does all of his amazing work by using steel for his masterpieces. He is a veteran and owner/operator for metal fabrication and powder coating shop.
Linda Lee, artist for Linda Lee Art, is an oil painter and an abstract expressionist.
There were also two talented young artists that joined the Wetumpka Art Walk that evening. Ellah Ingram, who is only 12 is in 7th grade at Wetumpka Middle School. She works with a variety of mediums but her favorites are watercolor and pen. She makes handmade bookmarks, pen sketches, notecards or more. Brianna Hayslip, 18, has painted for 10 years. She loves doing acrylic paintings and ink art.
Paula Susen, owner of PSDesigns By Paula, does custom designs or hand painted wine bottles. They are colorful and she specializes in abstract expressionism. Quirked up Birds is a design Susan does that have a unique and one of a kind bird on the wine bottle lamps. She also has wine glasses to match the wine bottle lamps too.
There were musicians at the Art Walk that lined the streets of Wetumpka for people to enjoy. Suncho School of Music teaches a variety of different music lessons. They have been doing this type of work for six years. The group came from California a year ago and moved to Wetumpka.
David Jones, local musician, does Jazz, Pop, and Soul music.
Face the World band was outside the Provisions Cheese and Wine store.
The Art Walk in Wetumpka brought a huge crowd of people that evening. Everyone was able to come and check out all of the amazing artists, local vendors, and live music. If you missed this event, they will have one more Art Walk held on the first Friday in November in 2021. Make sure you come out and speak to these talented artists and buy something local.
