By Gerri Miller
Elmore/Autauga News
The Prattauga Art Guild highlighted the work of local and regional artists during its holiday event Sunday in conjunction with the Shoppes of Downtown Prattville’s Holiday Open House.
“This is a time when we open our doors to let people come and see all the talent and work that has been created locally,” said Barbara Simpson, director of the Special Events and Cultural Arts Department for the City of Prattville. “We have the work of artists here from the entire River Region as well as Birmingham and Atlanta.”
The Prattauga Art Guild office is located in the Prattville Creative Arts Center at 342 South Chestnut St. behind City Hall in downtown Prattville. The Center is also home to the Art Gallery, which features work by the Art Guild and guest artists, with exhibits changing throughout the year.
The gallery will be open through December 23 for Christmas shopping. Simpson said there are gifts in every price range. “The money goes to support art-related projects not in our budget,” Simpson said. “We would like to raise enough at some point to get a new cultural arts building.”
Simpson said classes are held in the current facility, but space is limited and therefore the number of students who can participate is also limited.
On Sunday, there were artists present for the Open House from around the River Region. Edward Brummal, an artist from Montgomery, had his work on exhibit. His wife Kay Brummal is also a member and a professional photographer.
“We’ve been members for quite a while,” Edward Brummal said. “Exhibiting your work is a good way to make sure you are doing something.”
Gail Coccaro of Prattville teaches classes at the Center. She said the first stroke you put on paper is always the hardest. “I have always liked painting,” Coccaro said. “I mentioned this to my husband at Christmas one year and he bought me my first watercolor set.“ Her work is now on display at the Center.
A few of the other artists featured included Donna Pate of Deatsville, Sherri George of Prattville and Peggy Raines of Prattville.
Simpson said one the Art Guild’s biggest projects, Art with a Heart, will be held on January 19th. This event features a soup cook-off, bowls handmade by local artists (prices vary), and soup from local restaurants available for $5 a cup. All of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Autauga Interfaith Care Center and Food Bank.
There will also be free snowflake art workshops on December 18th at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. for children ages 7-12. To sign up your child or for more information, call 334-595-0850.
The Art Guild meets every second Tuesday of the month, except July, at 6 p.m. at the Prattville Creative Arts Center. Membership is open to both artists and non-artists 18 years and older who are no longer enrolled in high school.
