Black Belt Treasures: Art & Heritage

0:00It's March 2nd, here's your Birmingham News in two minutes. Nestled in Alabama's Black Belt region, the Black Belt Treasurer's Cultural Art Center in Camden highlights local artistic talents through paintings, quilts, woodwork, and metal pieces. This spot celebrates the creativity of a diverse community and keeps their stories alive for future generations. What began 20 years ago as a place for artists to sell their work has grown into a key education hub. Visitors learn hands-on from demonstrating artists, and the center runs classes on site, partners with schools, and since teaching artists into classrooms. Artists here range from 12 to 98 years old, with family history stretching back 220 years. Many pieces stem from everyday ingenuity, turning scraps into treasures that reflect the area's resilient spirit. Take Andrew McCall, who crafts baskets, trees, and furniture from old barn wood and vines, skills now shared with his grandchildren. Or Betty Anderson, whose pipe cleaner

1:01dolls drew national notice inspired by her grandmother's quilting tradition from G's Bend. Marking two decades, a new anniversary painting captures elders passing traditions to the young, much like the original grand opening piece. Find the center at 209 Clavewernstreet in Camden, or shop their art online. The Daily News Now is powered by our sponsor, Lincoln the Description. Headphones in a pillow, simple idea, surprisingly addictive, S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com.