By CATHERINE LEGG / Community Columnist

The Montevallo Arts Council’s Fall Exhibit 2011 celebrates the talents and creativity of its own. The current exhibit, a “first ever” display of works by 28 members of the Arts Council, is open until Oct. 20 in the Parnell Memorial Library Gallery.

The artists will be honored at the council’s annual meeting on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 3 p.m. in the Library Meeting Room, and the election of officers and board members will be followed by a reception in the rotunda. The public is invited to both the board meeting and the reception, where many of the artists will chat informally about their work.

The exhibit is made up of a wonderful variety of subjects in paintings, pottery, wood carvings and photography. They range from the two-panel acrylic of “Major Miller Kirby” by John Kirby and the “Tree Whimsy” in oil by Sandy Swindall to the charming character photograph of Mary Frances Tifton by Norman McMillan.

“This exhibit is fascinating,” Laurie Orr Binion said, “and it’s especially exciting to see the works of other members of the Arts Council. This may be my favorite of all of the shows we’ve sponsored.”

Participating artists from Montevallo are: Binion, Swindall, Kirby, McMillan, Becky Cox Rodgers, John Wesley, Andrew Cost, Michele Pawlik, Debbie Sullivan, Jeanette Crew, Ashley Santa Cruz, Ryan Foster, Tim Tingle, Beverly Stamps, Judy Rogers and Michele Hill.

Others are Chaille Raines, Chris Frank, and Martha Fulgham of Alabaster; Troy and Becky Crisswell of Calera; Jesse Cunningham of Clanton; Pat Smith, Jane Patterson, Samuel Landis and Trina Ray of Hoover; Nancy Rosenstiel of Birmingham; and Matt Pawlik of Miami, Florida.

There are excellent art exhibits in the Parnell Memorial Library Arts Gallery throughout the year. The next is of the works of Dian Kent McCray and is scheduled for Oct. 24-Dec. 22. McCray is a life-long Shelby County resident, received both undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Montevallo and taught art at Thompson Elementary and High School for 31 years. She has written and illustrated two children’s books, published articles and illustrated several other publications.

The Montevallo Art Gallery is open during regular library hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

For more information, visit Montevalloartscouncil.org.

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