Parnell Memorial Library plans to display the beautiful watercolors of Jeanette Crew through Nov. 30.

Sandy Swindall will present a gallery talk on Sunday, Oct. 18 at the annual meeting of the Montevallo Arts Council. The meeting begins at 2 p.m. in the library meeting room; the gallery talk and reception will follow.

Swindall revealed, in a biographical sketch she prepared for the exhibit, that Crew came to Montevallo in 1962 and that she taught dance, swimming and tennis in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department at the University of Montevallo.

She has always had an enthusiastic interest in painting, but until her retirement, did not pursue that interest.

“The Montevallo Arts Council is so pleased that the community will get to see more than two dozen of Jeanette’s beautiful and varied watercolors,” said council president Libbie Rodgers. “Jeanette is a talented artist working in a challenging medium.”

The subjects of most of the artist’s paintings are flowers, landscapes and birds. They are painted in soft colors and are true to the features of those wonderful gifts of nature.

The exhibit of Crew’s paintings is one of many interesting events to be sponsored by the arts council.

The winter art show in the gallery will feature paintings and clay works by Troy and Becky Bolton Crisswell. Those exhibits will run from Dec. 3 through March 13, 2010. The council is also offering a workshop with Troy Crisswell on “Phases of Painting: The Process of Starting a Painting,” Sat., Feb. 6 at Parnell Library from 9:15 a.m. – 3 p.m. The registration fee for the workshop is $85.

Plans are underway for the annual Montevallo Arts Fest to be held April 9-10. A highlight of the festival is a concert by the Gary Motley Jazz Trio. On that Saturday there will be an art show in Orr Park where 50 or more visual artists will exhibit and sell their extraordinary art work.

Prizes will be awarded, including a $1,000 prize for the best of show. Musicians and food vendors will enhance the festive air of the family affair.

For more information, go to Montevalloartscouncil.org. Applications must be postmarked by Jan. 29.

Catherine Legg can be reached at clegg2@bellsouth.net.