SYLACAUGA, Ala. – With artists picking their marble and getting right to work on the first day of Sylacauga’s Magic of Marble Festival, there were more than a few conversations rekindling long-term friendships built over the last 17 years.
“No doubt it’s the camaraderie,” said Craigger Brown of the most impactful part of participating in the annual event. “Every year, it’s kind of like a big family reunion – catching up, sharing ideas with a lot of smiles.”
Another long-timer, Bill Cook from Tennessee’s Knoxville area, noted what’s special about the Magic of Marble Festival to him.
“The feeling of family. Picking up conversations right where we left off last year. Spending quality time with each other, spending quality time with non-sculptor friends, like you!” And he quickly added, “Meeting new ones, too. It’s a comfortable environment for creating art.”
Cook has been at every festival but one since 2009. He says he likes to spend time talking and watching other sculptors’ work to find focus on his own. There’s a lot of that – it’s quite usual to find artists discussing their plans for their festival piece, comparing notes, developing ideas, and just making new friendships.
One visitor remarked about a few unmanned work tables.
“Is everybody not here yet?” he asked. I told him to look around. He smiled as he noticed two, sometimes three or four, artists discussing the next cut of the marble at other sculptors’ tables, or maybe which tool to use.
The Magic of Marble Festival continues through Saturday, April 18 with complete information on all the related activities on-site in Sylacauga’s Central Park, under the green tent, manned by informative volunteers, as well as inside the B.B. Comer Memorial Library.
Come join the family camaraderie that’s very important at such an “interactive with the public” event.
Oh, and word of advice: don’t wear clothes that show marble dust.
