The Visionary Guild for Mentally Ill Artists is making their final preparations for an arts and poetry show to be held Thursday, March 20 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Selma Convention Center.

Lewis Fincher Jr., an event organizer for the Visionary Guild for Mentally Ill Artists, said the annual event is an opportunity for community members to come out and see the works of the talented artists.

“This event features paintings, drawing and poem made by people with mental health issues, and it has been going on since the guild got started in 1991,” Fincher said. “We’ve had it in different parts of the state every year and we always have a pretty good crowd.”

The event, which is free to the public, will feature two segments where the artists will share their art and poetry with audience members, from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., and again from noon until 1 p.m.

From 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. the artists will answer questions from audience members during a panel discussion.

Fincher said he personally enjoys seeing the interactions between artists and audience members both during the panel discussion, and when they are presenting their works of art.

“My favorite part of this event every year is watching the artists show real pride in their pieces and meeting new people,” Fincher said. “And there will be all kinds of art on display. We will have pictures, paintings and pottery, so there will be a little something for everybody.”

Fincher said any money raised during the event would go directly to the Visionary Guild.

For more information about the event or the Visionary Guild, contact Fincher at 334-418-6525 between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. during the week, or via email at lewisfincher@cahabaconsumeraffairs.com.