By Keysha Drexel
Journal editor
The Vestavia Hills Beautification Board is adding a celebration of art to its annual observance of the beauty of spring in the city.
The board is hosting the inaugural Art in The Hills art show April 19 as a part of the annual Vestavia Hills Dogwood Festival.
The art show will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Vestavia City Center and will feature professional and amateur artists and artisans from Vestavia Hills and around the Southeast, said Ashley Nance, co-chairman of Art in The Hills.
“We’ll have 43 artists and artisans at the show–it’s not just about painters. We have some people bringing three-dimensional works of art, we have jewelry makers, metal works artists–it’s a pretty big variety,” Nance said.
The beautification board wanted to do something different at this year’s Dogwood Festival, Nance said, so board member Cindy Bartlett suggested an art show.
“She presented this idea in November, and everyone loved it,” Nance said. “We’ve been working like crazy to get everything ready in such a short time period because we think this is something that will really enhance the Dogwood Festival.”
The Vestavia Hills Dogwood Festival has been held every spring since the 1960s to herald the seasonal arrival of the blooms of the dogwood trees.
For several years, the Miss Dogwood Pageant was a highlight of the festival, Nance said.
“But for whatever reason, participation in the pageant has just dropped off over the past few years, so we thought an art show would be a fresh, new event to add to the festival this year,” she said.
The art show will include a special program just for Vestavia Hills students, Nance said.
“We’re also having an art show for the children that will be judged for cash prizes in three age divisions,” she said.
Students can submit any type of two-dimensional artwork in either the elementary, middle school or high school division for a chance to win $100 for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for third place, Nance said.
“We have some really talented young artists in Vestavia Hills, and they can use that prize money to buy new art supplies and make Vestavia Hills even more beautiful,” she said.
The Art in The Hills event will also feature live entertainment by Over the Mountain and Birmingham-area music groups, Nance said.
“The Pizitz Middle School Jazz Band will perform, and they are fabulous,” she said. “I heard them perform a couple of months ago, and I completely forgot they were middle school kids because they were just so good.”
The Pizitz Middle School choirs and the Vestavia Hills High School Show Choir will also perform at the art show along with members of the Red Mountain Theatre Youth Performing Ensemble, the Shades Mountain Baptist Worship Band and Joann Little and Friends, Nance said.
“It’s just going to be a fun way to celebrate all the wonderful things about Vestavia Hills,” Nance said.
Nance said she’s been encouraging folks to celebrate all the wonderful things about Vestavia Hills since she was a member of the Vestavia Hills Belles back in the 1990s.
“I loved serving as a Belle, and it was so much fun,” she said. “When I got older and after I had my four kids, I was looking for a way to serve my community again, and that’s how I got involved with the beautification board about five years ago.”
Nance said her goal is to get as many young people in Vestavia Hills involved with the Dogwood Festival and the art show as possible.
“I really want to make this something that is for the whole community, something that people of all ages can enjoy and look forward to each year,” she said. “Some of the teens from Youth Leadership Vestavia Hills and from the National Honor Society at the high school are coming out to volunteer at the art show, so it truly is going to be a community event.”
Nance said the Art in The Hills show would have never gotten off the ground if it weren’t for the support of its sponsors and the hardworking members of the beautification board.
“We’ve had so many people step up and work to make this art show a success, like Debra Pounds, who is in charge of entertainment, and Gina Henley, who is charge of hospitality,” she said. “Everyone has really worked together to make sure everything is taken care of and we offer a great art show.”
Nance said she and the other members of the beautification board hope that Art in The Hills becomes an annual tradition and something that those attending the Dogwood Festival can look forward to for years to come.
“We’re excited about it, and we’re really hoping for pretty weather that day so as many people as possible can come out and see all that makes Vestavia Hills such a beautiful place to live,” she said.
The Dogwood Festival will also include the annual Dogwood Luncheon April 17.
Each year, members of the Vestavia Hills Beautification Board design different tablescapes for the community to enjoy with lunch provided by Cafe Iz.
This year’s featured speaker at the Dogwood Luncheon will be storyteller Dolores Hydock.
Doors open at 11 a.m. for the luncheon, and lunch will start at 11:30 a.m. Seating is limited. Tickets are $20 each.
For more information on the Art in The Hills art show, the Dogwood Luncheon or the Vestavia Hills Dogwood Festival, visit www.vestaviabeautiful.com.
