The recently formed Montevallo Arts Council has planned five days of exciting happenings to celebrate the arts. April 25-29 will be filled with art showings, book signings, readings, drama, music, and storytelling.

On Wednesday, April 25, folk singer Kate Campbell will speak on the inspiration for her lyrics, and that evening she will give a concert. On Thursday, April 26, Elaine Hughes will talk about Mary Ward Brown&8217;s stories and Ashes of Roses, a play by Norman McMillan. The first production of Ashes of Roses will be at 7:30 p.m. on that Thursday. In the evening on Friday, April 27, there will be an art show by area artists along with a gallery talk by Frank McCoy and a reception for the artists. All of these events will be held in the Parnell Library Theatre and Gallery.

Saturday, April 28 is the day of Art in the Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are scheduled events throughout the day. On the square stage there will be performances of the Community Band, Montevallo Chorale, Chuck King&8217;s Jazz Band, the Montevallo High School String Band and Nickelplate Band. On the gazebo stage there will be storytelling by Philip McEntee and Kate Vogel, songs and music by Barbara Belisle, Bennie Middaugh and Ed Robertson and banjo music by William Sherer.

Many artists from the Montevallo area will display their work in the park. Other activities for the day include a tour of Tinglewood with Tim Tingle and in Parnell Memorial Library, a showcase for Alabama writers, book signings by area writers and readings by sister and brother novelists, Sena Jeter Naslund and John Jeter.

Performances of Ashes of Roses will also be held on Saturday night and in a matinee on Sunday afternoon. The play will be produced and performed by the Montevallo Main Street Players. The Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. According to their mission statement, &8220;The Montevallo Arts Council produces, promotes, and coordinates the arts to enrich the quality of life, promote economic vitality, and advance arts education for the greater Montevallo community.&8221; They have a 15-member board of directors. Board members are: Barbara Belisle, Misty Bennett, Alan Cecil, Jane Clayton, Martin Cochran, Becky Cox-Rodgers, Jan Dailey, Julie McEntee, Phil McEntee, Norman McMillan, Gary Packwood, Ken Procter, Libbie Rodgers, Kathy Stewart and Tim Tingle.

When asked about the goal for the April events, Norman McMillan, president of the Arts Council, said: &8220;All of us have high hopes that this arts fest will showcase the tremendous talents of the Montevallo area artists of all of the arts, and we expect it to be the first of many successful arts events.&8221;

For more information, Norman McMillan at 665-2714.

Catherine Legg can be reached at mailto:clegg2@bell-south.net.