CBMS to host ‘An Evening of the Arts’ on Thursday

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LOXLEY, Alabama — Central Baldwin Middle School will host its first “Evening of the Arts” from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, at the school on Alabama 59.

The event will serve as a showcase for student art, as well as showing students what’s available to them in the art world right in their own back yard, said CBMS art teacher Sara DeSeno.

“We want to show these students that there is more out there beyond what they see at the Strawberry Festival and other arts and crafts shows,” DeSeno said. “When you dig a little deeper you’ll find that we live in a very culturally rich area with several art galleries and other opportunities.”

The halls of Central Baldwin Middle School will be covered with student art. There will also be a school-wide juried art show with cash prizes, thanks to the event’s sponsors, which include Robertsdale Feed & Seed, Campbell Hardware & Sporting Goods, Ivey’s Fine Dining, Mark’s Barbershop, Sweat Tire and Parkway Equipment.

“I’m so excited that we have sponsors that want to grow the cultural scope of this area as much as I do,” DeSeno said. “There is a certain reputation in the Robertsdale area and in order to change that reputation, we must do something different.”

The event will also feature a sidewalk art show with an anime theme, which will be judged by members of the Foley Anime Club.

DeSeno said she has also reached out to several local artists and so far, she has received confirmation from 11 artists who will be featured during the event.

“Some of them will be bringing works to sell,” she said, “while others are going to have interactive events with activities for young people to do. They will all be talking about their art and the process they go through in making their art.”

The event will feature visual, musical and performing artists with artistic demonstrations and instruction, DeSeno said, plus drawing competitions and audience participation. Refreshments will be available from Los Tacos and Kona Ice.

DeSeno said she wants to encourage community involvement and wants to do everything she can to ensure this is a community event.

“I have reached out to several community leaders and I’m hoping everyone will come out and support this event,” she said.

Moving forward, DeSeno said she hopes to make this an annual event, with more activities and participation from young artists and participation from all of Central Baldwin’s feeder programs.

“This is the first year Central Baldwin has had a full-time art teacher in 10 years,” she said. “I’m working really hard to provide a cohesive program for our students.”

She said she has reached out to the art department at Robertsdale High School as well as Robertsdale Elementary School art teacher Joyce Garrison.

“I want to make this event something everyone can be proud of,” she said.

For more information about the event and how you can participate in this and future events, contact DeSeno at 850-501-1695 or at sdeseno@bcbe.org.