The Selma Art Guild is making final preparations to for an event that will showcase the works of a dozen local female artists.

Jo Pate, executive director of the Selma Art Guild, said the Divas II Show would take place at the guild’s studio, located at 508 Selma Ave., from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. this Thursday.

A similar show was held about five years ago in conjunction with Art Walk, but this is the first time the art guild has organized the all-female show.

This year’s show will include up to six pieces by Pate, as well as local artists Peggy Allison, Shirley Baird, Becky Blaylock, Gena Clements, Louella Clements, Sandy Greene, Laura Grossman, Cam Walker Guarino, Sally Jordan, Vickie King, Kellie Newsome, Joanna Nichols, Laura Stowers, Jo Taylor, Linda Taylor, Karen Weir and Tammy White.

Pate said she hopes the large number of participants translates into a large audience for Thursday’s free event.

“This event will feature a lot of different artists, and so we are really hoping to attract a lot of people to the show,” Pate said. “This will not be our usual fare, and I’m excited to see the variety of works these artists bring out to the show.”

The will also feature a book sale of Allegra Jordan’s republished “The End of Innocence.” All proceeds from the book sale will go to the Art Guild’s “Raise the Roof” Campaign.

In an email to the Times-Journal, guild member Steve Grossman said the event was an opportunity to showcase both Selma’s current crop of female artists, as well as those that came before them.

“Selma has an amazing history of excellent female artists, going back to Clara Parrish Weaver in the 19th century,” Grossman said. “And this tradition continues to this day.”

Along with Weaver’s paintings, Grossman said Thursday’s event aims to highlight the lengthy list of talented female artists who have called Selma home.

“From Weaver, who gained acclaim for her work in the late 19th century and up until her death in 1925, to the next generation of outstanding painters of the mid twentieth century like Rhea Smith, Dorothy Price, Althea Martin, and artists such as Evelyn Youngblood, Herndon Grice, and Clara Olson who continue to produce wonderful paintings to this day, Selma’s female artists have continued this tradition,” Grossman said.

Pate said she hopes people turn out to view the tremendously varied talents of Selma finest female artists.

“This rare evening event is a chance for people who haven’t been to the guild to see the guild for the first time and see the works of all these talented women,” Pate said.