By GINNY COOPER MCCARLEY / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO—The University of Montevallo, the City of Montevallo and the Montevallo Arts Council will celebrate a new academic year with the city-wide event “Artsqawk: Put a Bird on It” on Aug. 22 from 5-8 p.m. in downtown Montevallo.

The artwalk will feature more than 50 artists and vendors, showing a variety of wares ranging from wood crafting and paintings to mixed media, jewelry and fiber art.

Artists will be demonstrating their crafts as well, event coordinator Tiffany Bunt said. Ben Johnson, a blacksmith and coppersmith, will bring a forge and anvil to demonstrate small projects.

In addition, the PillowFort Performance Group will showcase performance art, with a live artistic performance. PillowFort is led by University of Montevallo professor Emily Gill.

There will be a variety of activities for all ages, including artistic activities that highlight the year’s theme for kids from 5-7 p.m. The Boys and Girls Club of Montevallo will have a booth selling ducks for their duck race to be held the following day in Orr Park.

Live musical acts will perform throughout the event behind the Main Tent located at 710 North Boundary Street. At the conclusion of Artwalk, Eclipse Coffee and Books and Main St. Tavern will host additional musical acts.

The August artwalk event is the same day as move-in day at the university, which provides the perfect opportunity to “welcome back university students,” Bunt said.

“We hope new students and their parents will join us on Main Street and the Promenade and take a look at what local artists have to offer,” Bunt said. “It’s a nice chance to showcase the awesome artistic community we have in Montevallo.”