Twenty years ago, an old car dealership in downtown Camden repaired engines. Today, the building repairs something far more intangible – the spirit and economy of Alabama’s Black Belt as home to Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center.
In an event Thursday night, Black Belt Treasures celebrated its 20th anniversary with state lawmakers, artists, community leaders and longtime supporters gathered to honor an institution that has not only showcased art but also sparked an economic and cultural renaissance in the Black Belt region of Alabama.
Black Belt Treasures unveiled a commemorative painting by Johnna Bush of Grove Hill at the ceremony that featured portraits of several local artists who later signed prints for the crowd.
The center also received a $25,000 donation from the Ala-Tom RC&D Council.
What began in 2005 with just 75 artists has grown into a hub representing more than 450 artists from 19 counties. Quilters, woodcarvers, basket weavers, painters, potters, glassmakers, and countless others now call Black Belt Treasures their home. Collectively, they’ve sold $2.27 million worth of fine art and crafts through the center’s gallery and attracted more than 13,000 visitors to Camden from every U.S. state and countries around the globe.
The seed for Black Belt Treasures was planted in 2003, when a small group of dreamers led by John Clyde Riggs floated a “crazy idea” to bring artists together for a gallery that would drive tourism to the Black Belt region and improve its image of poverty and stagnancy.
“Perception is reality,” Riggs said. “Too often, the Black Belt was painted as a place of poverty, a ‘third-world country.’ We wanted to change that narrative by showing off the incredible art and creativity born here.”
With support from University of Alabama’s former provost and president Judy Bonner, lawmakers and supporters like Noopie Cosby, the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission, and the state Council on the Arts, the dream gained traction. A steering committee was formed, and after some coaxing, Delia Brand agreed to serve as the first director. By April 2005, with Sue Lynn Creswell involved as one of the first staff members, the gallery opened its doors.
Since then, the stories of the Black Belt have traveled far beyond county lines. Artists once overlooked are now celebrated nationally. The famous quiltmakers of Gee’s Bend, basket weavers using swamp cane, duck carvers from Dallas County and a stained-glass artisan from York all have found a stage here.
“Stories live in our hearts,” said Tina Jones, president of Black Belt Treasures and retired provost of the University of West Alabama. “If we don’t share them, they die. Art is how we tell our stories in the Black Belt.”
Alabama lawmakers formally recognized the anniversary and read resolutions that were passed by the state Legislature in the spring session commending Black Belt Treasures for invigorating the economy, elevating rural voices, and earning national acclaim.
Nisa Miranda, a founding board member, said the center has supported artists’ livelihoods across the Black Belt, turning creativity into cottage industries and studios. “Marketing is always the hardest part for artists,” Miranda said. “Black Belt Treasures helps bridge that gap, giving them pride in their communities where they live and work and access to a much larger audience.”
Board member and Montgomery artist Mike Handley said Black Belt Treasures is cultivating the arts of tomorrow. “Without means, creativity can die on the vine,” said Handley said. “But here, we give artists validation. We nurture creativity.”
As Black Belt Treasures looks toward its next 20 years, the mission continues to celebrate the art, heart and stories of Alabama’s Black Belt and provide arts education in schools in the region.
Sen. Robert Stewart said Black Belt Treasures has transformed lives, given the region agency and let rural residents know their voices matter.
“The Black Belt has something to say,” Stewart said. “Rural voices matter and we can contribute to the art economy of this world.”
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