ATHENS-Spring is in the air from flowering trees to waddling ducks depicted in creations for the annual Alabama Spring Contest and Exhibit.
Athens Arts League hosts Alabama Spring each April at High Cotton Arts. Artists submit pieces that depict the spring season in our state. This year’s submissions ranged from oil paintings to stained glass to chairs where the seat cushions are the canvas.
“Alabama Spring is my sign the spring season has arrived, and I thoroughly enjoy seeing spring through the eyes of all of these artists,” said Athens Arts League Board Vice President and contest organizer Diane Lehr.
An independent judging panel chose the winners. This year’s winners are:
First Place, Linda Ruhl, oil painting “Blooming Tree” – $700 prize
Second Place, Scott Brown, watercolor, North Street – $400 prize
Third Place, Paula Ethridge, oil painting, ducks – $200 prize
- Honorable Mention, Denise Maurer, stained glass flowers – $40 prize
- Honorable Mention, Sonya Gordon, oil painting, spring day at the farm – $40 prize
- Honorable Mention, Sanda Bishop, oil painting, hydrangeas and ducks – $40 prize
All of the entries will be on display the month of April at High Cotton Arts at 103 W. Washington Street in Downtown Athens. A reception for artists will be held Friday, April 13, from 5 to 8 to coincide with the kick-off of Art After Hours.
Art After Hours is a free community event where patrons are invited to shop for art, enjoy live music, snacks and 
beverages, and bring the children for free crafts. Art After Hours is held the second Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. from April through September.
“Athens Arts League invites the public to join us for these cultural events to see the talent of our local artists and to enjoy experiencing art from the visual to musical,” said Athens Arts League Board President Jennifer Hilton Sampieri.
