Delicious Event Brings Together Autauga Artists with Community

By Gerri Miller

Staff Writer

An event held Saturday brought local artists together with the community while helping out the Autauga Interfaith Care Center (AICC) food bank.

A steady crowd attended “Art with a Heart” at the Prattville Creative Arts Center. This is the eighth year the Prattauga Art Guild has hosted the tasty event. One of the event features was a Soup Cook-off with individuals competing for awards while raising money for AICC.

Individuals participating included Bridget Gonzalez with her Southwest Chili, Sherry George with her black beans and rice soup and Tony Castaldo with his award-winning mushroom soup.

You could purchase a cup of soup from local participating restaurants and select a handcrafted bowl by one of 15 talented local artists for a $10 or more donation. Participating restaurants included Longhorn with their delicious baked potato soup, Panera’s with a tasty broccoli and cheese soup, Chappy’s Deli with a homemade chicken and rice soup, and Uncle Mick’s with a mouth-watering rice, beans and sausage concoction.

All proceeds from the event go to the AICC food bank to help to refill their shelves after the recent holidays.  Event organizer Peggy Raines said the event normally raises $500 to $600 for AICC. There was also a bin outside of the center for nonperishable donations.

“It’s just neat to see people work together to help others who may not have enough food,” Raines said.

“Art with a Heart” is an important event because not only does it bring artists together to create the bowls; it also brings people to the gallery to see what the artists do, said Barbara Simpson, special events manager for the City of Prattville.

While tasting soups, those attending got to enjoy an exhibit of artwork by local artists, representing a variety of artistic styles. There were original paintings, clay pieces, photography and more that were on display. Some were available for sale. 

The Prattville Creative Arts Center and Gallery is located at 342 South Chestnut Street in historic Downtown Prattville and is a short walk from a variety of shops and the beautiful Autauga Creek Walk and gardens. For more information about the Art Guild or the Gallery, contact the Special Events Office at 334/595-0850 or visit the website at artguild.prattvilleal.gov.