By Alison McFerrin

The Selma Times-Journal

It’s a party that’s been five years in the making, but now the time is ripe for celebration.

“It’s an opportunity for us to really celebrate what we have in the Black Belt,” Black Belt Community Foundation’s arts coordinator Kristin Law said.

The BBCF will be hosting its first Arts Extravaganza Aug. 6 at the Earl Goodwin Theatre at Wallace Community College Selma. This event will showcase works that have come out of grants made through the Black Belt Arts Initiative.

“This is a time to really look at our strengths, our talents,” Law said. While negatives are often the focus when others talk about the Black Belt, Law said they want people to see all the positives this area has to offer.

“By embracing our cultural history and embracing our natural gifts through the grants, we are embracing our future,” Law said.

The event will feature a variety of art forms, from theatrical performances to visual arts. It will also have displays from each of the Black Belt counties.

“You can see what you would normally have to go 12 different venues to see, (and) you can see them all in one day,” Law said.

The event has something for all ages, with the morning set aside for performances for children, the afternoon geared toward adults, and the lunchtime hours focused on visual arts.

“This is a chance for everybody to come together and celebrate and also share stories and share a common bond,” Law said.

The event came to fruition out of an idea from the board’s chairman, Dr. Walter Hill.

“I’m so happy about this,” Hill said. “Our real motivation is to have the various artists … see each other from different parts of the Black Belt and encourage each other.”

Diversity is the main thing Hill emphasized — of people, and of art forms.

Law said the grants the Initiative provides are essential for the different programs to be able to enrich the lives of children and adults alike. Likewise, the contributions and sponsorships that keep the BBCF going are essential: “Without the people who make it happen, we are unable to continue providing these grants,” Law said.

The Arts Extravaganza is free. For more information call 874-1126.