What used to be a large vacant workshop on Lauderdale Street is now a studio where A.C. Reeves, local realtor, can have an outlet for her love of art and share her talents with others.

Southland Studio Workshops, located at 120 Lauderdale St., is steadily becoming another “piece to the puzzle” in Selma’s growing art scene, Reeves said.

“In my workshop, you can’t mess up,” Reeves said while sitting in her spacious studio, art materials strewn about. “When you come in here and participate in a workshop, you’re going to come out with a piece of art — no matter what.”

Since renting the space, Reeves has collected several “odds and ends” from around the city to use in her workshops. Reclaimed materials, she said, are a fun and easy way to incorporate parts of Selma into the final products of her classes.

“The art I do, I always use reclaimed materials,” she said. “The reason I like that is because it’s not threatening for people who don’t tend to do art.”

Small buttons, single earrings, lace, old thank you cards, newspaper clippings and ribbon are just a few of the materials found on the many tables and shelves in Reeve’s studio. Guarded by old shutters in the old store windows, Reeves said her studio is something she’s kept quiet for some time.

A stay at home mom turned realtor, Reeves said making art is something she’s always been passionate about.

“I get a little twitchy if I’m not able to do it. I’ve always kind of had a space for it. In the past, it’s been in my kitchen, which my husband wasn’t too fond of,” Reeves said with a laugh.

Once her two children reached a certain age, Reeves said she knew it was time to find a space to store all of her art materials.

“When this space opened up, I knew I had to take it,” she said. “This way I can kind of spread out while also offering workshops and get people involved with art in a new, fun way.”

Specifically, Reeves said she wants to offer art workshops for adults. Creating art, she said, is something that is at times intimidating for adults — and she wants to put that outlook to rest.

“It’s amazing how some people come in and get real nervous when they see all the materials — but when they leave, they have something beautiful,” Reeves said. “I want the studio to be a no pressure zone. You can’t mess up here.”

Reeves will host her first workshop Thursday, June 13 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost is $25 and participants will make a collage. The next workshop will be held Thursday, July 11 from 7 p.m. 9 p.m. with a $25 cost. Cross making will be the craft.

For more information or to sign up for a workshop, call A.C. Reeves at 375-3838. Only 20 spaces are available for each class.