DECATUR-Downtown Decatur is set to come alive with creativity and culture once again as the River Clay Fine Arts Festival returns for its annual celebration of the visual arts on October 21-22, 2023. This eagerly anticipated two-day event, will bring together a diverse array of 67 talented local and national artists who will showcase and sell their remarkable works of art and unique creations in the heart of the River City.
River Clay Fine Arts Festival, a juried art festival, made its debut in 2015 and has since become a cherished tradition for art lovers and enthusiasts alike. This year’s festival promises to be the biggest and most captivating yet, featuring artwork from gifted artists hailing from 11 different states. Visitors can expect to discover a wide range of original art pieces, including ceramics, drawings, fiber art, glasswork, jewelry, metalwork, mixed media, paintings, photography, sculptures, and woodcraft.
Children of all ages are invited to unleash their creativity in the children’s art area, where engaging activities will spark their imagination and artistic talents.
In addition to showcasing experienced artists, River Clay proudly celebrates up-and-coming talents from local schools. Festivalgoers will have the opportunity to admire the artwork of students from public and private schools across Decatur City, Hartselle City, and Morgan County school systems.
Beyond the art, festivalgoers can connect with the artists themselves, gaining insights into their creative processes and inspirations. An array of food trucks will be on-site, offering delicious options for picnicking, and beer and wine will be available for purchase to enhance the festival experience.
Attendees can look forward to a new sponsorship/donation opportunity that includes a patron hospitality lounge featuring televisions to check in on the football scores, storage for art purchases, seating, private bathrooms, an artist brunch on Sunday, “Patron’s Choice” ribbons to award to a favorite artist, River Clay Cash, a collectible pin and more. Stay tuned to www.riverclay.org for more information on this new program.
River Clay Fine Arts Festival takes place on the scenic grounds of Decatur City Hall, located at 402 Lee Street NE. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 21, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 22. Admission is just $5 per person for a weekend pass, with children 12 years old and under granted free admission when accompanied by an adult. Tickets can also be purchased online at https://tinyurl.com/
For those looking to get a head start on the art exploration, a limited number of tickets are available for the River Clay Rendezvous. This special event, held on Friday, October 20, from 5 to 9 p.m., offers an exclusive preview and first dibs of the artists’ works and includes beverages and hors d’oeuvres. The evening continues at the Alabama Center for the Arts (ACA) with the Rendezvous Social, featuring more food, beverages, entertainment, and an art exhibit in the ACA Gallery. River Clay Rendezvous tickets are priced at $60 per person and can be purchased online at https://tinyurl.com/
For a complete list of participating artists and more information about the River Clay Fine Arts Festival, please visit www.riverclay.org.
The Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts has a lineup of entertainment for the festival weekend, including a live concert by the Grammy Nominated Allison Russell on October 20, as well as showings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on October 21 and “Hocus Pocus” on October 22. For tickets and additional information, visit https://www.princesstheatre.
Additionally, on Friday, October 20, the Downtown Decatur 3rd Friday street party will kick off at 5:30 p.m., filling the streets with classic cars, live music, sidewalk sales, and family-friendly fun.
Media Release/Danielle Gibson, President & CEO/Decatur Morgan County Tourism, Inc.
