It’s no secret that there is a blossoming arts community in Selma and throughout the Black Belt. With our large oak trees draped in Spanish moss and brightly painted antebellum homes, the perfect scenery is available for artists to flourish.

And lucky for us, we also have individuals in our community who are equally excited about the arts — such as members of ArtsRevive, who are planning to host yet another StreetFest Saturday, May 18.

We encourage all residents to take part in this all-day event and enjoy the festivities, which will be held along with Alabama River on Water Avenue. This year, the annual event will feature the Alabama Symphony at 6 p.m. in the ArtsRevive courtyard. For a small price of $25, residents can become a “Friend of the Symphony” and get front row seats to the performance. The money, in turn, will go toward ArtsRevive, whish strives to promote the arts in Selma and Dallas County. Fran Pearce, director for the annual program, said she is expecting this year’s fest to be one of the best. Along with a performance from the Alabama Symphony, residents will also be able to enjoy the many booths and vendors that will line Water Avenue during the day.

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to spread the word about this sure-to-be enjoyable day, which will provide fun and entertainment for the whole family. \

The arts are not only a wonderful source of fun and community interaction but they are also very much an indication and a barometer, if one will, of good the quality of life in Selma is.

Communities that have strong connections to the arts are able to better develop youth in the community to go on to not just industries — but to schools where they can paint, perform, sing and play for others. We surely want to claim young talent in Hollywood movies and in New York fashion shows as Selma natives.

By supporting the arts and buying tickets to support the Alabama Symphony’s performance in Selma, it will prove that we are committed to bettering our quality of life in town.