FLORENCE-Local furniture maker and artisan Robin Wade will bring his one-of-a-kind designs to display at the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Office & Visitor Center on Saturday, July 18. But since it’s during the W.C. Handy Festival, there will also be some special features.
The furniture exhibition will be on display all day, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. A new event, the Swamp Fest Songwriters Showcase, will be held in the Gallery from 3-5 p.m.with performances by Mark Narmore, Walt Aldridge and Donny Lowery.
Wade will hold an art competition as well as “Creative gifting ankle/body painting” (see details on the Robin Wade Furniture web site at www.robinwadefurniture.com) from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
“If you are an artist (or would like to be) come practice/gift on either your ankle or a friends,” said Wade. “We are hoping Mayor Haddock and other dignitaries will accept an invitation/challenge to be the ‘receiver’ of this beautiful, unique and creative gift. Not an artist? Great cook? Wanna bring ice? We welcome your unique gift as well.”
At 5 p.m, after Swamp Fest, Florence native Dr. Cameron Walker, an anthropologist, archaeologist, author and professor at Cal State University Fullerton, will speak about “Creativity of the Shoals.”
From 5:30 to 5:35 p.m., University of North Alabama’s new Dean of Arts and Sciences Dr. Cameron Burkhalter, will speak briefly on “The Arts – Rocket Fuel.”
From 5:40 p.m. to 6 p.m., Don McBrayer from the University of North Alabama will share his favorite stories of the first Great Cypress Creek Raft Race which he, Reuben Hamlin and a dog named Coober Preedy won.
From 6 to 7 p.m., Melissa Daniel Bain, a local singer/songwriter and founder of The 610 Project, will perform and share her story.
Catering will be provided by Alan Phillips, who is known as the “Red Clay Epicurean,” featuring local produce from Jack O’ Lantern Farms.
The event is FREE and open to the public. For more information, contact Florence Tourism at 256-740-4141.
