By SANDRA ANNONIO / Community Columnist

The Hoover/Shelby Art Association will open its fall gallery exhibit at the Shelby County Arts Council on Thursday, Oct. 9 from 6-8 p.m.

The fall gallery show will replace their traditional one-day art show that has been held in Chelsea for the past three years.

Artists will be in attendance at the opening reception which the public is invited to attend free of charge.

Expanding the fall show into a month-long gallery exhibit, the artists will select their best five pieces to include in the exhibit.

Expect to see everything from landscapes to portraits to hanging mobiles.

The Hoover/Shelby Association is a diverse group of artists.

This year’s HSAA president and exhibit curator is Edna Sealy.

She is an instructor with the Shelby County Arts Council teaching both private and group lessons.

Sealy is also the therapeutic art instructor for the SCAC’s ArtAbilities Program.

ArtAbilities is a supplementary art therapy program that focuses on the development of motor skills socialization, self-esteem, sensory adaptation, listening and decision making skills for children with moderate to severe special needs.

The goal is that each individual child can participate at his or her own level and be successful.

The Hoover/Shelby Art Association was founded to provide encouragement of individual and group development and enjoyment of all forms of art.

The Association encourages cooperation and interchange between artists, teachers, students, craftsmen, publishers and others engaged in artistic activities; to provide a registry; to hold competitions and exhibitions; to promote the study and improvements of the arts; and to promote art by sharing resources.

Join the HSAA at the gallery opening Oct. 9 from 6-8 p.m.

Shelby County Arts Council is located at 104 Mildred Street in Columbiana.