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After COVID-19 caused a delay, ArtsRevive’s 18^th Annual Roots and Wings Art Show will take place Thursday night from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the ArtsRevive Carneal Building.

The annual showcase of Alabama artists, scheduled for March, was postponed due to the initial fears surrounding the then-new COVID-19 pandemic.

ArtsRevive Executive Director Becky Youngblood described the initial disappointment of having to postpone the show.

“This is the 18th year we’ve done it and it’s grown every year in popularity and in the quality of work submitted,” she said. “It was heartbreaking to think that a tradition that had carried on for 18 years had the potential to not happen. It was very disappointing and it was disappointing to the artists who’d worked hard to complete their works or drive them all the way down here.”

Despite the initial disappointment, Youngblood and the rest of the ArtsRevive team have worked hard to ensure the show goes on.

According to Youngblood, this year’s show will be one of the largest to date, featuring 172 submissions from 73 Alabama artists.

The best of the 172 submissions will be awarded cash prizes Thursday night – a first, second and third place prize will be awarded to works in three categories: 2-D art, 3-D art and prints and photography.

A $1,000 cash prize will also be awarded to the recipient of the “Best in Show” and “People’s Choice” honors.

“I’m really excited and I think a lot of people are going to be excited to get out,” said Youngblood

Youngblood said the show is going to be conducted as carefully and considerately as possible to avoid the potential spread of COVID-19.

The garage doors of the Carneal building will be open to provide an open-air environment and food and drinks will be served to show-goers rather than the typical self-serve format usually found at such functions.

In addition to all of the work on display in the Carneal building, attendees can also walk over to Pocket Park and view the near completed butterfly mural by Michael Vaughan Sims and tour the newly completed space at 907 Water Ave.

The space at 907, a former automotive dealership, has been newly restored to serve as a retail space for Tad Moore, who design and crafts custom golf clubs

The space is inspired by its former roots as a dealership, with silver walls and black trim.

“It’s a very cool space,” said Youngblood. “I think a lot of people are going to want to see it.”

To book a private art tour before Thursday’s show, send an email to artsrevive@outlook.com