Selma is well known for its history.

Well documented events include the Battle of Selma during the Civil War and the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge during the Civil Rights Movement.

But there is much more to celebrate in Selma than its history.

This week, a group of teachers from across the state – and from other parts of the country – are learning more about the art and literature of the Black Belt region. Their workshop includes a trip to the area.

“Prisms of Place II: Stories from the Black Belt” is a program of Auburn University at Montgomery.

The teachers heard from Wayne Flynt, an historian, but also learned more about the art of Selma’s Charlie “Tin Man” Lucas.

Following the workshop, teachers go back to their hometown classrooms and their students, in turn, study the traditions, culture and art of Alabama’s Black Belt.

Selma, Dallas County and the Black Belt region have much to be proud of in the fields of art and literature. This AUM project helps celebrate that.